The finest men in rock unite for a short UK tour in support of new single
Marmaduke Duke have been surrounded in mystery until recently. Known only as The Dragon and The Atmosphere, with a plan to release a trilogy of concept albums, the mighty Duke have now been identified as JP Reid (Sucioperro) and Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro). Of course long time fans of Sucioperro and Biffy Clyro have always known the bands previously secret identity, but only now has the mainstream cottoned on. With articles on highly regarded online magazine Drownedinsound.com and (inaccurate) features in the NME, Reid and Neil have been revealed as the conspirators behind Marmaduke Duke.
Beginning their promotion for their long-anticipated second album Duke Pandemonium, the magnificent Duke have released their first ever single Kid Gloves. And in honour of this (and presumably to cash in on the recent media exposure), Marmaduke Duke has headed out on a small tour of underground venues across the UK. On the penultimate night of the tour, Marmaduke Duke play one of Leeds most legendary venues, the Brudenell Social Club.
The venue is rammed, and the crowd eagerly anticipate tonight’s headliners. And as always, The Dragon and the Atmosphere need a little help when playing live. Cue the remaining members of their respective bands, Sucioperro and Biffy Clyro. Six-men strong (if you include the mysterious Duke wandering the stage), Marmaduke Duke really cram themselves onto the Brudenell’s stage tonight. Adorned in mutli-coloured tights, shawls, feather boas and faux knee-high boots, the Duke take to the stage and launch into Fridge & Fromage and I am instantly launched from the middle of the crowd to the front, right in front of live bassist, James Johnston. There’s little security here tonight, so no barriers are in place to keep the crowd’s distance from the band. And I am there, at James’ feet with a perfect view of the band rocking out on the stage. I can already tell that tonight’s show is going to be a highlight of my gig-going year.
The Atmosphere (aka Simon Neil) is on top form tonight. His energy and passion is flourishing in ways they have lacked since his full-time band Biffy Clyro started touring Puzzle in 2007. In Marmaduke Duke, he is really able to let himself go, which is evident by the first of many stage dives into the crowd. The Duke really are back.
Playing a mix of favourites from debut full-length The Magnificent Duke, along with tracks from upcoming long-player Duke Pandemonium, the crowd lap up a rare live appearance from Marmaduke Duke. Music Show is an upbeat track, fulfilling the promise that Duke Pandemonium is the ‘party album’, and current single Kid Gloves is great despite being sans female vocals. My personal favourite track, The Red and the Number, is as good as it ever was, as Simon chants random configurations of numbers into his mic. The tempo is briefly brought down to an acoustic level, with the reminiscent A Conspiracy and a Devil, and the vocal tennis of An Impostor and a Magician, before the party atmosphere is back once again with Everybody Dance.
Their set is fast paced, and flies by so fast. The Atmosphere gives his all during The Kill and The Kure, pulled back onto stage by the ‘Duke’, and ends the song writhing on the floor. And in no time at all, set closer Blunder and Haggis is ringing through the sound system, hypnotic and grinding, then the band are gone.
After the show
A couple of pints of Fosters, and some lost games of table football later, me, Dan and Andy find ourselves hanging outside the venue. Minutes later we are joined by members of the Duke preparing to leave the venue, who were kind enough to pose for the following photos:
Marmaduke Duke have been surrounded in mystery until recently. Known only as The Dragon and The Atmosphere, with a plan to release a trilogy of concept albums, the mighty Duke have now been identified as JP Reid (Sucioperro) and Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro). Of course long time fans of Sucioperro and Biffy Clyro have always known the bands previously secret identity, but only now has the mainstream cottoned on. With articles on highly regarded online magazine Drownedinsound.com and (inaccurate) features in the NME, Reid and Neil have been revealed as the conspirators behind Marmaduke Duke.
Beginning their promotion for their long-anticipated second album Duke Pandemonium, the magnificent Duke have released their first ever single Kid Gloves. And in honour of this (and presumably to cash in on the recent media exposure), Marmaduke Duke has headed out on a small tour of underground venues across the UK. On the penultimate night of the tour, Marmaduke Duke play one of Leeds most legendary venues, the Brudenell Social Club.
The venue is rammed, and the crowd eagerly anticipate tonight’s headliners. And as always, The Dragon and the Atmosphere need a little help when playing live. Cue the remaining members of their respective bands, Sucioperro and Biffy Clyro. Six-men strong (if you include the mysterious Duke wandering the stage), Marmaduke Duke really cram themselves onto the Brudenell’s stage tonight. Adorned in mutli-coloured tights, shawls, feather boas and faux knee-high boots, the Duke take to the stage and launch into Fridge & Fromage and I am instantly launched from the middle of the crowd to the front, right in front of live bassist, James Johnston. There’s little security here tonight, so no barriers are in place to keep the crowd’s distance from the band. And I am there, at James’ feet with a perfect view of the band rocking out on the stage. I can already tell that tonight’s show is going to be a highlight of my gig-going year.
The Atmosphere (aka Simon Neil) is on top form tonight. His energy and passion is flourishing in ways they have lacked since his full-time band Biffy Clyro started touring Puzzle in 2007. In Marmaduke Duke, he is really able to let himself go, which is evident by the first of many stage dives into the crowd. The Duke really are back.
Playing a mix of favourites from debut full-length The Magnificent Duke, along with tracks from upcoming long-player Duke Pandemonium, the crowd lap up a rare live appearance from Marmaduke Duke. Music Show is an upbeat track, fulfilling the promise that Duke Pandemonium is the ‘party album’, and current single Kid Gloves is great despite being sans female vocals. My personal favourite track, The Red and the Number, is as good as it ever was, as Simon chants random configurations of numbers into his mic. The tempo is briefly brought down to an acoustic level, with the reminiscent A Conspiracy and a Devil, and the vocal tennis of An Impostor and a Magician, before the party atmosphere is back once again with Everybody Dance.
Their set is fast paced, and flies by so fast. The Atmosphere gives his all during The Kill and The Kure, pulled back onto stage by the ‘Duke’, and ends the song writhing on the floor. And in no time at all, set closer Blunder and Haggis is ringing through the sound system, hypnotic and grinding, then the band are gone.
After the show
A couple of pints of Fosters, and some lost games of table football later, me, Dan and Andy find ourselves hanging outside the venue. Minutes later we are joined by members of the Duke preparing to leave the venue, who were kind enough to pose for the following photos:
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