The Dukes of Stratosphear-The Mole from the Ministry

[mercerallison]

WITHOUT THIS, NO STONE ROSES ALBUM!

[Huboons]

@mercerallison Without the Beatles no this.

[hairymarx]

Reminds me of Syd Barrett

[novocain68]

XTC made this mock band as a response to the critics. They were compared to the Beatles so they fabricated this Beatle-esque project. A Jewel in its own right if you ask me.

[19canada67]

I wonder if they were inspired by the RUTLES??



[novocain68]

@19canada67 Lol

[thelatepetercook]

Mad love! Genius!

[atcoffeegrl]

What happened to our society when we stopped promoting/rewarding true artists like XTC, who were swept under the rug along with many others, The Pursuit of Happiness, Alice In Chains, I could go on forever. Instead we reward complete wastes of life like Kayne West, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, and other Posers who just want to have everything come easy and make insane amounts of Money! WTF!

[101Volts]

@atcoffeegrl If people are inexperienced in music they'll like a lot of crap that comes their way before they like really good songs. Patience is a big thing here as is being open minded and not, i repeat, *not* being addicted to adrenaline pumping songs but the biggest thing is probably an actual interest in looking for more music and liking it. But if people aren't exposed to good music they may never want to look for more of it.

[101Volts]

This is a fantastic song.

[RAGEDAMNIT]

love this song

[SirReal1958]

XTC is long overdue for their induction in the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame.

[gwynethanne]

@SirReal1958 Agreed! Long live Xtc. Best. Band. Ever!

[BillMinworth]

@SirReal1958 I agree

[klrietmann]

Far out, man.

I guess they only did the two videos, this 'un and You're A Good Man. Pity they didn't cook up something for...well, anything. Can you imagine a vid for Your My Drug? Insert obligatory Filmore West blobular psych films behind them, go go dancers, daisies in rifles, color negative prints...or Little Lighthouse; just parody the 1966 clip of the Stones trying to play Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby while Mick tries to fend off the hordes of crazed chicks jumping on stage.

[pazzensutra]

I adore this video. Thanks DUKES, and thanks for posting. So very Magical Mystery Tour / Wonderwall / early Pink Floyd. And of course, so very Dukes of Stratosphere. Long live the Dukes!

[notaperson2012]

I LOVE THIS SONG!! i didn't get this album until the early 90s. Not as big in the states. I wish there was a video for vanishing girl.

[TheMightyHartley]

Fookin' love XTC and The Dukes. Loved this album when it was released in 1985 and still love it today.

Following the commercial failure of both Mummer and The Big Express (although I really like them both), this album gave the band some much needed positive press.

I was in a band at the time and I know of many 'hip young cats' who were seriously into this stuff.

[pazzensutra]

Mummer and Big Express are fantastic. The commercial failure of those albums tells you somthing about the music industry and how it's brainwashed the public into thinking that rap, disco and stuff like Hannah Montana is more important.

[TheMightyHartley]

Completely agree with everything you say pazzensutra.

It's so frustrating that XTC are relatively ignored by the music-buying public, whilst they are happy to consume in such quantities the musical shit that you mentioned.

Still, I feel privileged to have discovered XTC all those years ago, and I still listen to them all the time.

[Salguine]

Music in general should be on MTV. But it isn't.

[101Volts]

MTV only disgraced their name and everything it stands for. Who the heck watches it anymore? I don't and am not interested in watching stupid shows. (Well, I never did watch MTV and I don't get TV anymore but that's beside the point)

[Salguine]

The "M" actually now stands for "Morons in Hawaiian shirts".

[101Volts]

I should have said "Everything that MTV STOOD for". That would have sounded better.

[alesa1985]

Groovy!!

[diddywahdaddy]

Haha, sometimes life IS perfect!! Thanks a lot, sirkobble!!

[AliPut]

There's a full video of this track on here - quality's not bad either. I searched for mole from the ministry full video

[PeterMayer]

Poo-ah-bah-boo!

[diddywahdaddy]

In a perfect world the videos would have been included as bonuses on the two just-released CD reissues, which otherwise are block full of bonus tracks (demos and such!!!)...

[continuousminer]

Apparently they were inspired to get into this sound because of the one and only Nick Nicely.

[diddywahdaddy]

It DOES sound like there's a relation between Nicely's 'Hilly Fields' and much of The Dukes' material, i admit.

[dudezillasf]

oh sh!t, I didn't realize there were any videos of this project! It's hilarious and perfect!

[heuilleman]

think *

[heuilleman]

I know that wierd but i thing that The Dukes of Stratosphear is better then XTC xD I love psychedelic music !!!

[diddywahdaddy]

Boy, I hope Andy Partridge doesn't read this..!! I tend to play The Dukes more often too, but I do like a lot of XTC's songs, it's the production that gets to me sometimes, I really hate to say. Too clean for me, I bet the demos ROCK!!! I mean, the 'unplugged' radio shows they did to promote the Oranges And Lemons 2LP is where things groove to me, while the ofiicial product sounds like... Dukes Of Stratosfear trying too hard to sound like XTC... Errm, so sorry, mr.Partridge!!

[PeterMayer]

Piggy In the middle!!

[diddywahdaddy]

The cat and the fiddle...

[pazzensutra]

Why do people even compare Oasis to the Beatles, anyway? Oasis thinks that singing as lousy as you possibly can is somehow a homage to the Beatles. They suck!....More Dukes, please. They should have made another album.

[pazzensutra]

YES! YES! YES! The Dukes/XTC rule, and this is my favorite Dukes tune, and what a video! So very "I am the Walrus"-like. Wonderful. If anybody thinks they're the "new" Beatles, they're wrong. XTC was. Thanks for posting the video!

[spackhandy]

BTW, check out the overdub of the horse at 1:28. Just magnificent.

[spackhandy]

The Dukes and the Rutles are a long way ahead of the rest of the Beatles homages. While Innes got some great new songs out of reworking bits of old Beatles songs, the Dukes cast their net wider and did great pastiches of other bands too: the Byrds, Hollies, Beach Boys...

Talk about coming full circle, McCartney's Flowers in the Dirt has a couple of songs that Andy Partridge might have written.

The Dukes knew their stuff and loved the material they were referring to. It's a joy to listen to.

[bungalowbill969]

Beatles inspiration comes from Strawberry Fields Forever and Magical Mystery Tour (the film), especially I'm The Walrus and Your Mother Should Know clips..

[koolandy]

it reminds m a lot of the movie "A CLOCKWORK ORANGE"

[ChasDiamond]

2:04 - isn't that one of them gronda gronda argonds from the Adventure Game playing a cello?

double awesome

[rebelpowerz]

Thanks haven't heard this 1986

[VictorConMalvaviscos]

That must have been fun to film. I love this song.

[101Volts]

Thanks for sharing, This is a strange song and video but I find it interesting.

[54spiritedwill54]

I haven't seen it since it was first broadcast. Sheer genius...

[anahatatutu]

25 o'clock virgin ca. '85 got the vinyl. Great retro eh?

[johnnybsteelriff]

Oasis eat your heart out...I Am The Walrus From The Ministry indeed

[pollux33]

this is a very beautiful music :-) !

[haggidubious]

Nobody does homage like the Dukes.

[lokrume04]

Hi, just want to let you know that this song is from the album 25 o'clock released 1985-04-01. And letdown201, you must have got the autograph from Red Curtain. There was never any ¨Colin¨ in the band :).

[letdown201]

No man, look at the video. They're a '60's band. Ask Andy Partridge, he'll tell ya:)

[letdown201]

I remember when this song was released. It was June 1968. I had just graduated from high school and me and a friend rode a VW Bus around the US getting high and just hanging out. This was in our 8-track player that entire summer. We actually saw the Dukes of Stratosphear at a gig in San Francisco that July, and I got Colin's autograph (which I still have). I later saw them at a '71 gig in the UK just before they broke up.

A truly great band.

[mambonumber9]

They should get together and tour. I'll bet they'd be a big draw.

[airsoftdude8675309]

i am the walrus,thats what it is basically.

[lokrume04]

It's Dave's brother, Ian Gregory (E.I.E.I. Owen)

[cranie4]

The only people who could pull off a Beatles "tribute" like this are XTC and Neil Innes..both brilliantly done.

[drlovepants]

love the fact that the drummer's name was eiei owen. dave gregory's brother i believe.

[Squeaky1423]

My favorite song by the Dukes! Thanks for posting, I had never seen this video.

"I'm the mole from the ministry...and you'll all bow down to me"

[zzzozzz]

For all the constant comparisons between XTC and the Beatles, this is the only song where I thought they really were consciously trying to sound "Beatlesesque". And wouldn't you know it? The Dukes pulled it off. A great homage to the psychedelia era.

[Louiseskybunker]

I was trying to find 25 O'clock

[Caff68]

LOL Me too!!

[Caff68]

Or My Love Explodes!!

[adamsez]

Try looking for the compilation CD 'CHips From The Chocolate Fireball' - both albums, complete.

[dansinnotts]

I'm not really in touch with anyone from the old days any more but the last i heard of the Red Curtain he was managing Dixons in Putney.

[dansinnotts]

I never got to see them play live again but occasionally i'd see them round at a crash pad where i used to score my Afgan. They were quite a weird bunch, i often saw them talking to inanimate objects or simply passed out. Once, EIEI was convinced that he was a turtle and was urging anyone in the vicinity to escort him back to the ocean so that he could tend to his eggs!

[dansinnotts]

I remember when i saw the Dukes play live, back in early '67 at the UFO. The Floyd were supposed to be playing but Syd was washing his hair that night and Roger was in A&E following a rather embarrassing incident involving a bicycle pump... Anyhow, the Dukes hit the stage at around 2am to a rapturous reception but i can't really remember all that much of what followed, except for the profound ringing in my ears the next few days.

[bluerondoo]

youre an idoit. they where from the 80s

[bluerondoo]

youre an idoit. they where from the 80s

[dansinnotts]

good grief, tha must have been some heavy trip i was on! I could have sworn it was them, did i tell you about the time when i saw the Fuzztones on the opening night of the Filmore East when i was hanging out with Dick Alpert in '66? Kesey had already thrown me off the bus by then... ;-)

[dansinnotts]

hi there, i posted a reply but it got sent to the top of the list. x

[dansinnotts]

and then there was the time i met the Lime Spiders at Millbrook.. ah happy memories, Tim Leary asked to join the band but i'd recently thrown up on him and tey said there was no way they were having a vomit encrusted old harvard professor in their group... History could have been so different... ;-)

[bluerondoo]

alright alright, lime spiders suck.

[dansinnotts]

lol

[dansinnotts]

the dukes rule though, and this video's awesome. It's got bits of the arnold layne film, see emily play, magical mystery tour (of course) and i reckon the goodies (an old uk tv show) in it. Can we identify any other filmic influences - i bet i've missed loads of them. And where can we get a full version of it? I love it! All the best bluerondoo. btw you're right about the lime spiders!

[bluerondoo]

hahaha, yah! they are so boring. I dunno, it pretty much screams beatles. and all that 'silly, loopy' uk psych stuff. its great.

[ThoseWhoChoseCheese]

XTC / Dukes = criminally underrated

[frederiqueboulay]

Sorry, I should say "I AM The Walrus". This melody is so nostalgic... I'm writing in past tenses! LOL!

[frederiqueboulay]

Just as weird as "I Was The Walrus". Very nostalgic melody. Like it.

[oogie11]

i love xtc and their alter egoes too....they're too good to be true....the recognition they get is criminal you know

[algundiafotosintesis]

mi cancion favorita es what in the world! y your gold dress!! lejooos

[lamancha2]

I can't stand XTC. They seem fake. But I love "Chips from the Chocolate Fireball", perhaps because it is supposed to be fake.

[lokrume04]

Hi lamancha, a bit sad to hear. Check out their album Apple Venus vol 1 (1999) and then maybe you'll change your opinion.

[beerightbak]

i just discoverd them today, too me forever to figure out who sang braniacs daughter.

[lovecell]

A funny consideration! hahahahaha! It made me smile so much!

[exile103]

What the hell do you mean, "fake"? How can they be "fake"?! They're a band, dimwit. The Dukes are the same band, just a different name doing retro-style psych.

[jools92126]

does anyone know if there is a video to vanishing girl by the Dukes? I really want to hear that song. It's been probably 20 years since I have heard it.

[Funkbone]

Far out! Long live the Dukes...

[CosmicRey]

I am the walrus- Coo Coo CooChoo.

The Dukes are so far out. Can not believe this was 20 plus years ago. Any more groovy vids like this one anyone?

[Watchtower7]

Best band ever!!!!!!!!!!!! They sound exactly like the Beatles. Still like XTC better.

[koslow88]

xtc isnt the best band ever.and they dont sound exactly like the beatles.not even close.and you are a fool to like xtc more than the beatles.xtc is good but they are no beatles.thats why they are copying the beatles hear with alternate egos like the beatles did with sgt pepper.

[Watchtower7]

yo, chill out. it's just an opinion. actually it was my brother's opinion. not even mine. and you are a fool to think that you can change other people's opinions. you can try but you just can't. that's why i'm copying your message here as my own alter ego like my brother did with me.

[turntapzap]

These guys can do no wrong. At least as influential the Beatles, and probably better songwriters.

[mongabella]

xtc rules

[saguaroboy]

yeah, and osama bin laden might be having tea at yer mum's. i love dukes and xtc, but let's not get confused. i bought the two dukes cassettes for $1 each new- why? because the beatles had already invented it. and it was 20 YEARS LATER.

[turntapzap]

Point well taken. I realize the Beatles' influence is recognizable in every great band. And it's generally accepted that the beatles are the best. Maybe the Beatles music is more accesible, and by extention more popular and influential. But if anyone can be in the same universe as the Beatles, it's these guys. I just happen to think Andy & crew's songwriting prowess and musicianship might slightly overshadow the Beatles. Or, maybe XTC's stuff is simply more challenging.

[saguaroboy]

i'll concede the musicianship. i love andy partridge. his "beatle" songs pay true homage and have the chops and dynamics to back it up. and i'll agree, musically he's gone down roads the beatles, probably wisely, chose not to go.

[turntapzap]

Well said.

[redgrrl]

LOVES XTC...and the Dukes...think they're the same?

then you just don't *get it* ...alter ego's aside

this disc is brilliant.....

[skrapco]

Thanks! What a concept, what a record. Amazingly recorded and produced...spot on. Where's Lord Cornelius Plum when we need him?

[kataidamashi]

Thank you for the video.

In late 80's there was a revival trend for psychedelic rock. Many bands tried to recreate that kind of oniric lysergic rock, inspired by beatles, pink floyd and so on.I remember The Chills, The Shamen, Doctor and the Medics and so on. But the Dukes of Stratosphere showed how to play psychedelic rock on 360 degrees, too perfect indeed.

[candlebar]

If you keep thinking about what was you'll never enjoy what is!

[bobgreen623]

More mellotrons!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MagicFD]

So short! Too Bad!

according to the many comments sent : LOVELY, LOVELY, ISSO LOVELY, Hayyi?

Les français courent toujours après les Beatles et leurs fidèles progénitures... QUE DE CLIN D'OEILS dans ce clip - un BONHEUR DE BEATLE-FAN-FOREVER-ON-XTC

[xtstevie]

All you fellow XTC buffs should know that this F.A.B. tune was released in 1985 !!!! Off the mini-album 25 O'clock, Should have been as huge as TFF sowing the seeds of love !!!!

[frankensteinmoneymac]

You know Im not a very big XTC fan at all. But the Dukes on the other hand! Abslolutely Brilliant!!! Why arent they the Dukes all the time?!?!

[phlizmo]

Ha! I feel exactly the same way..

[thegorn68]

Damn! I love the Dukes. I remember listening to Psonic Psunspot in my Camaro in the summer of '87. Where does the time go?

[uncleavi2002]

Summer of 87 was so fun if I had a time machine I would

go back every weekend and drink beer with my friends in the dorm

[thegorn68]

I don't know about going back but I sure would like my body fat percentage from 1987 back. LOL!

[singingjim]

This is by far the most obvious Beatles homage, but in some ways they do it even better.  God I love"(d?) XTC/DOS.

[comicstripdude]

Quirky, goofy, stoned; call it what you will: This is a great video.

I adore the Dukes. As far as I'm concerned, Andy, Colin and Dave let it die too early.

[pollux33]

Genial!!

thanks

[mojojojocliche]

:D:D:D:D This makes me happy.

More of this sort of thing please!

[WyattRocks]

Sweet! Didnt know there was any video for this album! The Dukes' "Fireball" album is in my top 5 albums of all time!! Sweet!

[blackadder3]

Wow! I didn't even know there was a video for this! Thanks for posting!

[yokai1968]

How dare they! I must phone George and Ringo at once!

[Fraticornicos]

Don't phone George! He's already dead, my friend.

[mongabella]

plus they do a mean beach boy rip off,buy the disc,don't know what you miss.

[ferry64]

xtc's magical mystery tour

[matt1]

Didn't know this existed!! 25 O'Clock is a brilliant album. Got this on vinyl when it first came out b4 I had any XTC albums. Mid 80s was the best time of my life.

[drunkenstooge]

This could be a lost Rutles song.

[jeffbuckley01]

I have always thought in the back of my mind..Cheese and Onions...

[realMojo]

One of the most overlooked LP's of the 80's! Classic look back to the 60's from the big hair decade and it was just good music too. Rock on boys!

[neldinsky]

yYYyyyYYyyYYYYyYYEeeEEeEEeeeee­EeeEaAaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAaAA­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[denverexec2000]

The Dukes were XTC's bridge to the incredible Brit Pop of the second half of their career - good-hearted fun and they picked up so much from it. Their New Wave thing was getting played out - they remade themselves, much as the Beatles did in their mid-career crisis. This video is so funny... and exciting

[lordwindowlicker]

I didn't know this existed! FANTASTIC!

[VespertilioFructus]

Thank you!

[sanslatete]

Thanks for this, not seen it in years.

[23Daves]

Thanks so much for uploading this - I haven't seen it since it was first broadcast. Sheer genius... and Oasis think _they_ were the next Beatles...

[nedison]

My god!

It's Magical Mystery Tour, I am the Walrus, Arnold Layne, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, and XTC all rolled up into one!!