# The World Was a Mess But His Hair Was Perfect

> A new book revisits the UK's chaotic 2000s indie scene, where hedonism and high ideals collided.
- Title: The World Was a Mess But His Hair Was Perfect · NME | Shortify
- Summary: A new book revisits the UK's chaotic 2000s indie scene, where hedonism and high ideals collided. Janine Warren's book on the UK indie scene from 2000-2010…
- Keywords: janine warren, the world was a mess but his hair was pe, uk indie scene, 2000-2010, franz ferndinand, bloc party, the libertines, peter doherty, carl barat, the cribs, indie sleaze, nme
- Source: NME — https://nme.com/news/music/new-book-uk-00s-indie-world-mess-hair-perfect-interview-3973190
- Published: 2026-10-15T11:39:03+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: janine warren, the world was a mess but his hair was pe, uk indie scene, 2000-2010, franz ferndinand, bloc party, the libertines, peter doherty, carl barat, the cribs, indie sleaze, nme
## New book on UK indie scene
Janine Warren, former publicist for Johnny Marr, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, and The Libertines, published The World Was a Mess But His Hair Was Perfect: The Last Indie Music Scene 2000-2010.
## The Strokes ignited UK indie scene
Warren recalls how The Strokes' 2001 gig at The Barfly in London sparked a UK indie wave, with bands like The Libertines and Franz Ferdinand emerging.
## The Libertines' rise
The Libertines gained attention after their first NME cover in 2001, with Pete Doherty and Carl Barat forming a dynamic duo that connected with fans through pub culture.
## UK indie scenes were fragmented
Unlike New York's unified scene, UK indie was disparate, with bands like Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party drawing from dance music but maintaining distinct sounds.
## Club nights united genres
UK club nights blended indie, dance, and hip-hop, creating a space where diverse audiences could experience music together.
## The internet's early impact
Early internet platforms like MySpace and Friendster enabled fan connections, with The Cribs using Libertines.org to build their career through message boards.
## Hedonism and high ideals
The era combined hedonistic club culture with ambitious artistic goals, where bands like The Rakes and Bloc Party wrote about urban anxiety and social change.
## The bubble burst in 2006
Arctic Monkeys' rise in 2006 triggered label signings, leading to band breakups and mental health struggles across the scene.
## Indie sleaze term criticized
Warren rejects the label 'indie sleaze', noting bands from the era didn't use it and it oversimplifies their creative diversity.
## MySpace Records story
The Cribs nearly signed with MySpace Records in 2005, with Tom flying them to America for a label launch that they later declined.
## The scene's natural end
By 2010, the UK indie scene had faded as bands like Bloc Party went on hiatus, The Rakes disbanded, and mental health issues emerged.
## Can another wave happen?
Warren believes a new indie wave could emerge through social media, but the digital landscape has shifted since the 2000s.
## Key takeaway

Janine Warren's book on the UK indie scene from 2000-2010 captures the era's hedonism, creative chaos, and fleeting digital revolution.