Babyshambles and The Strokes team up

By Kev Geoghegan
Radio 1 music reporter

Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell has told Newsbeat that he has recorded solo tracks with The Strokes' guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr.

Drew McConnell (far right) with his band Babyshambles

McConnell has also recruited the services of Mercury music prize nominee, Fionn Regan, for the project called Helsinki.

He said: "I did four tracks a couple of months back with Albert Hammond, Jr. from The Strokes and Fionn Regan.

"I've had a few labels talking to me about the possibility of releasing it.

"We all needed it, Albert had been on tour with his solo thing and he was a little tired.

"It was good for everyone to get in the studio for a few days and have some beers and make some good music.

"When I play with Helsinki, it's more for fun. Not that Babyshambles isn't fun, but I take it more seriously." Drew McConnell

"Not worrying if a label was going to be happy with it or whether an A&R man was gonna check if the chorus came in, in the first 40 seconds."

McConnell admits he has no idea if the material will ever be released but claims Helsinki is most definitely a side-project for him.

He said: "When I play with Helsinki, on my own, it's more for fun.

"Not that Babyshambles isn't fun, but I take it more seriously."