CHIPS FROM THE CHOCO

The Dukes Of Stratosphear: Sir John Johns, The Red Curtain, E.I.E.I. Owen. The Dukes are really XTC - they use this name when recording 60's influenced psychedelic music, a bit of a tribute and a bit tongue in cheek. This CD includes the 25 O'CLOCK EP and the album PSONIC PSUNSPOT. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Personnel: Sir John Johns (vocals, guitar); Lord Cornelius Plum (piano, organ, Mellotron); The Red Curtain (electric bass); E.I.E.I. Owen (drums). Audio Remasterer: Ian Cooper . This is XTC on a holiday of sorts. Recording under the name of The Dukes of Stratosphear, they released an EP (25 O'CLOCK) and an LP (PSONIC PSUNSPOT), herein collected onto one CD. With alter-ego names in place and cloaked in packaging from the ripe era of psychedelic overload, many people didn't even know this was indeed XTC (which was the intent and a sort of goal of theirs), rather a lost nugget from the '60s. Every detail is appropriate to the times they were invoking, from the instruments and arrangements to the often trippy non-sequiturs in the lyrics. There's everything from political intrigue ("The Mole From The Ministry") to hallucinogenic love songs ("My Love Explodes"). This is no mere dalliance, these guys knew what they were doing. CHIPS FROM THE CHOCOLATE FIREBALL is a labor of love honoring the records Andy Partridge and company watched endlessly spin during their teenage years.