Marmaduke Duke
Encyclopedia
Marmaduke Duke are a conceptual rock duo from Ayrshire
, Scotland
, comprising Simon Neil
of Biffy Clyro
and JP Reid
of Sucioperro
. Within the band, the pair perform under the pseudonyms The Atmosphere and The Dragon. According to Neil, the band, and its albums, are "based on a trilogy of unreleased manuscripts that a friend of ours brought to this country a few years ago. We're really just working to soundtrack those stories."
To date, the band have released two studio albums, with their second, Duke Pandemonium
, achieving commercial success in the United Kingdom. The album entered the UK Albums Chart
at #14.
, and presented as a triptych of discs - to be released.
, the band's second studio album, was released on May 11, 2009.
In Duke Pandemonium, the band adopted a more synthesiser based approach - a radical departure from their previous musical direction, and reflected in the style of two tracks ("Silhouettes" and "Everybody Dance") previewed on their web site prior to the album's launch. During live performances, again prior to the album's release, the band also performed the tracks "Erotic Robotic", "Music Show" and "Heartburn", confirming their inclusion on the then-forthcoming album.
The album was originally scheduled for release in late 2006, and a three track sampler CD was distributed to magazines and radio stations in spring 2006. However, due to the touring and recording commitments of Biffy Clyro, and the intervention of 14th Floor Records, the decision was made to postpone the album's release until Marmaduke Duke could actually tour and promote the new record.
In late 2008, it was announced that Duke Pandemonium was to be released through 14th Floor Records (an imprint of Warner Music UK) in April 2009, preceded by two singles; 'Kid Gloves' (2 March 2009) and 'Rubber Lover' (April 2009).
, the band's one-song conclusion to the musical trilogy, The Death of the Duke, will be "a modern classical two guitar death march. At the moment we’re working on riffs and rhythms."
, Dundee
, London
, Manchester
, Glasgow
, Newcastle
, Cardiff
and Birmingham
. On 09/06/2009 they were added to the Reading & Leeds Festival
line up, headlining the Festival Republic Stage on the Friday in Reading and the Sunday in Leeds. They also played T In the Park In 2009 on the Radio 1/NME stage.
(vocals, guitar) and Simon Neil
(vocals, synth, guitar and bass). The duo are augmented by James Johnston
(bass, vocals) and drummers Fergus Munro and Ben Johnston
. There is usually also a cloaked/masked figure on stage during performances, known only as "The Duke"; played by Sucioperro
's ex-bassist Michael Logg also known as "The Big Slice". This character might be construed as the band's own version of Public Enemy's Flavor Flav
or the Happy Mondays
' Bez.
Regarding the inclusion of Ben and James, Simon Neil
states: "It wouldn't feel right to be out and playing without them, you know?"
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, comprising Simon Neil
Simon Neil
Simon Alexander Neil is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro and Marmaduke Duke.-Biffy Clyro:...
of Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
and JP Reid
JP Reid
JP Reid is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter best known for his work in the bands Sucioperro and Marmaduke Duke.-Albums:* Marmaduke Duke - The Magnificent Duke...
of Sucioperro
Sucioperro
Sucioperro are a Scottish rock band from Ayrshire, formed in 2002. The band's name is a rough Spanish translation of "dirty dog".-Random Acts of Intimacy:...
. Within the band, the pair perform under the pseudonyms The Atmosphere and The Dragon. According to Neil, the band, and its albums, are "based on a trilogy of unreleased manuscripts that a friend of ours brought to this country a few years ago. We're really just working to soundtrack those stories."
To date, the band have released two studio albums, with their second, Duke Pandemonium
Duke Pandemonium
Duke Pandemonium is the second studio album by Scottish conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke, released on the May 11, 2009 on 14th Floor Records. Band member JP Reid describes the album as "superfunky, supertight, superunique."...
, achieving commercial success in the United Kingdom. The album entered the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
at #14.
Beginnings and The Magnificent Duke
Marmaduke Duke reputedly formed in 2003. However, prior recording and touring commitments to their own respective bands meant that it took until 2005 for the band's first album - an 18 track album named The Magnificent DukeThe Magnificent Duke
The Magnificent Duke is the debut studio album by Scottish conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke, released on April 14, 2005, on Captains of Industry. The album initially had a limited run of 4000 copies...
, and presented as a triptych of discs - to be released.
Duke Pandemonium
Duke PandemoniumDuke Pandemonium
Duke Pandemonium is the second studio album by Scottish conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke, released on the May 11, 2009 on 14th Floor Records. Band member JP Reid describes the album as "superfunky, supertight, superunique."...
, the band's second studio album, was released on May 11, 2009.
In Duke Pandemonium, the band adopted a more synthesiser based approach - a radical departure from their previous musical direction, and reflected in the style of two tracks ("Silhouettes" and "Everybody Dance") previewed on their web site prior to the album's launch. During live performances, again prior to the album's release, the band also performed the tracks "Erotic Robotic", "Music Show" and "Heartburn", confirming their inclusion on the then-forthcoming album.
The album was originally scheduled for release in late 2006, and a three track sampler CD was distributed to magazines and radio stations in spring 2006. However, due to the touring and recording commitments of Biffy Clyro, and the intervention of 14th Floor Records, the decision was made to postpone the album's release until Marmaduke Duke could actually tour and promote the new record.
In late 2008, it was announced that Duke Pandemonium was to be released through 14th Floor Records (an imprint of Warner Music UK) in April 2009, preceded by two singles; 'Kid Gloves' (2 March 2009) and 'Rubber Lover' (April 2009).
The Death of the Duke
According to JP ReidJP Reid
JP Reid is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter best known for his work in the bands Sucioperro and Marmaduke Duke.-Albums:* Marmaduke Duke - The Magnificent Duke...
, the band's one-song conclusion to the musical trilogy, The Death of the Duke, will be "a modern classical two guitar death march. At the moment we’re working on riffs and rhythms."
Live performances
Marmaduke Duke have thus far only played two small tours, during which they played at venues in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
and Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. On 09/06/2009 they were added to the Reading & Leeds Festival
Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. The Reading Festival is held at Little John's Farm...
line up, headlining the Festival Republic Stage on the Friday in Reading and the Sunday in Leeds. They also played T In the Park In 2009 on the Radio 1/NME stage.
Live lineup
Live, the group consists JP ReidJP Reid
JP Reid is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter best known for his work in the bands Sucioperro and Marmaduke Duke.-Albums:* Marmaduke Duke - The Magnificent Duke...
(vocals, guitar) and Simon Neil
Simon Neil
Simon Alexander Neil is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro and Marmaduke Duke.-Biffy Clyro:...
(vocals, synth, guitar and bass). The duo are augmented by James Johnston
James Johnston
James Johnston may refer to:*James Johnston , Scottish Secretary of State*James William Johnston , Canadian politician and judge*James Finlay Weir Johnston , chemist...
(bass, vocals) and drummers Fergus Munro and Ben Johnston
Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)
Ben Hamilton Johnston is a drummer, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for his work with Scottish group Biffy Clyro.-Early life:...
. There is usually also a cloaked/masked figure on stage during performances, known only as "The Duke"; played by Sucioperro
Sucioperro
Sucioperro are a Scottish rock band from Ayrshire, formed in 2002. The band's name is a rough Spanish translation of "dirty dog".-Random Acts of Intimacy:...
's ex-bassist Michael Logg also known as "The Big Slice". This character might be construed as the band's own version of Public Enemy's Flavor Flav
Flavor Flav
William Jonathan Drayton, Jr. , better known by his stage name Flavor Flav, is an American rapper and television personality who rose to prominence as a member of the rap group Public Enemy...
or the Happy Mondays
Happy Mondays
Happy Mondays are an English alternative rock band from Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1980, the band's original line-up was Shaun Ryder on lead vocals, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis, and drummer Gary Whelan...
' Bez.
Regarding the inclusion of Ben and James, Simon Neil
Simon Neil
Simon Alexander Neil is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro and Marmaduke Duke.-Biffy Clyro:...
states: "It wouldn't feel right to be out and playing without them, you know?"
Singles
- "Kid Gloves", 2 March 2009 UK #110
- "Rubber LoverRubber Lover (Marmaduke Duke song)"Rubber Lover" is a song written by the Scottish experimental rock group Marmaduke Duke. It is included on their second album 'Duke Pandemonium and was released as a single on 17 April 2009. It charted at a peak position of #12 in the UK singles charts following considerable airplay on radio...
", 20 April 2009 [Download Only] UK #12 - "SilhouettesSilhouettes (Marmaduke Duke)"Silhouettes" is a song written by the Scottish experimental rock group Marmaduke Duke. It is included on their second album 'Duke Pandemonium and was released as a single on 6 July 2009. The single release of Silhouettes will be a remix version by Jacknife Lee...
", 6 July 2009 [Download & Limited 7"] UK #200