The Dukes of Stratosphear

The Profile

The Dukes of Stratosphear is the mid-1980s psychedelic side project of English band XTC, issuing 25 O' Clock (1985) and Psonic Psunspot (1987) and later collected on Chips from the Chocolate Fireball.

The Dukes presented themselves under pseudonyms (The Red Curtain, Lord Cornelius Plum, Sir John Johns, E.I.E.I. Owen) and are the alter ego of XTC; their releases explicitly pastiche 1960s psychedelia. Chips from the Chocolate Fireball compiles the Dukes' two original releases.

DeBaser reviews praise The Dukes of Stratosphear as a loving, playful pastiche of 1960s psychedelia. Critics highlight strong Beatles/Barrett influences, inventive studio effects and consistent charm across the releases. The project is the mid-1980s psychedelic alter ego of XTC.