Past Masterpiece of the Week (December 11-17, 2016): The Dukes of Stratosphear – Chips from the Chocolate Fireball: An Anthology


The Dukes of Stratosphear were an English rock band formed in 1984 by the pseudonymous “Sir John Johns” (Andy Partridge), “The Red Curtain” (Colin Moulding), “Lord Cornelius Plum” (Dave Gregory), and “E.I.E.I. Owen” (Ian Gregory). The Dukes were actually a side project of XTC (though many believed the mysterious band to be an actual psychedelic pop band from the 60’s), releasing records concurrently with their continued musical activities. The project, which amounted to the mini-album 25 O’Clock (1985) and the full-length album Psonic Psunspot (1987), was intended as a homage to 1960’s psychedelic pop. In the UK, the records outsold XTC’s then-current albums The Big Express (1984) and Skylarking (1986). The two releases were compiled onto a single CD under the title Chips from the Chocolate Fireball: An Anthology, which was released simultaneously with the vinyl issue of Psonic Psunspot. The Dukes were also mentioned in the credits of XTC’s 1986 album Skylarking, where they were thanked for the loan of their guitars.

Track Listing:

  1. “25 O’Clock” – 5:03
  2. “Bike Ride to the Moon” – 2:23
  3. “My Love Explodes” – 3:49
  4. “What in the World??…” – 5:01 (The Red Curtain)
  5. “Your Gold Dress” – 4:42
  6. “The Mole from the Ministry” – 5:58
  7. “Vanishing Girl” – 2:59 (Curtain)
  8. “Have You Seen Jackie?” – 3:21
  9. “Little Lighthouse” – 4:31
  10. “You’re a Good Man Albert Brown (Curse You Red Barrel)” – 3:38
  11. “Collideascope” – 3:22
  12. “You’re My Drug” – 3:19
  13. “Shiny Cage” – 3:17 (Curtain)
  14. “Brainiac’s Daughter” – 3:59
  15. “The Affiliated” – 2:31 (Curtain)
  16. “Pale and Precious” – 4:58