The Dukes of Stratosphear

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The Dukes of Stratosphear was a pseudonym used by the English rock band XTC in the mid-1980s. A studio-only project, the band released two vinyl albums: 25 O’Clock (1985) and Psonic Psunspot (1987), which drew upon influences of 1960s psychedelic music such as The Beatles, Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, The Kinks, The Byrds, The Pretty Things, and The Beach Boys (c. 1966). The two albums were released on a single CD under the title Chips From the Chocolate Fireball (An Anthology) in late 1987.

They reformed and recorded the track “Open A Can of Human Beans” in 2003 for a charity album. The track was later re-released on Andy Partridge’s Fuzzy Warbles, Vol. 7.

Under another pseudonym, Terry and The Lovemen, XTC appeared on its own tribute album A Testimonial Dinner and thanked The Dukes of Stratosphear for the loan of their instruments.

The pseudonymous personnel included:

Sir John Johns (Andy Partridge) - singing, guitar, brain buds;
The Red Curtain (Colin Moulding) - electric bass, song stuff;
Lord Cornelius Plum (Dave Gregory) - mellotron, piano, organ, fuzz-tone guitar;
E.I.E.I. Owen (Ian Gregory) - drum set;
and their preferred producer at that time, Swami Anand Nagara (John Leckie).
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  • iconan

    The Dukes Of Stratosphear - [1987] - Chips From The Chocolate Fireball - XTC created the Dukes of Stratosphear almost on a lark, as an excuse to play the kind of music they grew up listening to and playing. Listening to Chips is like sifting through a '60s psychedelia bin at a good used record store. -.-.-.-. om hari om ..... ॐ

    19 days ago

  • LSBumblebee

    cheers to the Mole from the Ministry!

    last month

  • moarkthx

    2033 cannabis in tea what in the world acid is free what in the world

    February 2012

  • arcdukes

    really good!

    December 2011

  • innerspeaker

    Best. Side. Project. Ever.

    September 2011

  • mutantoverlords

    They're awfully good at cheering me up, thanks you based Partridge.

    August 2011

  • MistaApocalypse

    What a superb album is 'Chips From The Chocolate Fireball' . It's still one of my favourites of ALL time !!! Psychedelia at its best (even by 1985-1987 standards). Recommended !!!

    April 2011

  • Jimmy_Page_Jr

    greaaat!

    February 2011
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