The Dukes of Stratosphear
The Dukes of Stratosphear were an English rock band formed in 1984 by Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Dave Gregory, and Ian Gregory. Modelled after psychedelic pop groups from the 1960s, the Dukes were initially publicised by Virgin Records as a mysterious new act, but were actually an XTC spin-off band. They recorded only two albums: 25 O'Clock (1985) and Psonic Psunspot (1987). In the UK, the records outsold XTC's then-current albums The Big Express (1984) and Skylarking (1986).
The Dukes in 1987. Clockwise from top: E.I.E.I Owen, Sir John Johns, The Red Curtain, and Lord Cornelius Plum.
XTC performing live (pictured from left: Gregory and Partridge)
Andrew John Partridge is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer best known for co-founding the band XTC. He and Colin Moulding each acted as a songwriter and frontman for XTC, with Partridge writing and singing about two-thirds of the group's material. While XTC were a formative British new wave group, Partridge's songwriting drew heavily from 1960s pop and psychedelia, and his style gradually shifted to more traditional pop, often with pastoral themes. The band's only UK top 10 hit, "Senses Working Overtime", was written by Partridge.
Partridge on XTC's Drums and Wires tour playing Toronto's Music Hall, February 1980
XTC performing live (from left: guitarist Dave Gregory and Partridge)
Partridge in the studio, c. 1988
Partridge-designed album cover for the Dukes of Stratosphear's 25 O'Clock (1985)