25 O'Clock
Encyclopedia
25 O'Clock is an EP
from XTC
which was released under the pseudonym The Dukes of Stratosphear
, and was also the title song from that release. Joined by XTC member Dave Gregory's brother Ian on drums, the Dukes indulged in the stylistic tropes of 1960s psychedelia, particularly the British
variety.
Released on April Fool's Day 1985, the mini-album was a tongue in cheek homage to the heyday of psychedelic rock
. Several of the tracks were made to sound like individual bands (like the Syd Barrett
-era Pink Floyd
sound of "Bike Ride to the Moon"). Others were simply a pastiche of the styles of the period as a whole. Though recorded on contemporary 1980s equipment, the mixing and overdubs closely replicate production techniques used in the mid-to-late 1960s. The album is also notable for its cover art (drawn by Partridge) which resembled the cover on the 1967 LP Disraeli Gears
by Cream
.
The band issued a single and made a promotional film for "The Mole from the Ministry" (a song that owes a great deal to The Beatles
' "I Am the Walrus
").
The material on the 25 O'Clock mini-album (including the "hidden message" at the end of side two) was merged with the 1987 album Psonic Psunspot
for release as Chips from the Chocolate Fireball: An Anthology
on CD, simultaneous with Psonic Psunspots vinyl release.
A remastered and expanded version of 25 O'Clock was released on 20 April 2009 by Andy Partridge's
Ape House record label. This edition of 25 O'Clock is credited to "XTC as The Dukes of Stratosphear"
, except where noted.
file.
, They Might Be Giants
contributed a cover version of "25 O'Clock".
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
from XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
which was released under the pseudonym The Dukes of Stratosphear
The Dukes of Stratosphear
The Dukes of Stratosphear was a pseudonym used by the British rock band XTC in the mid to late 1980s, concurrently with XTC's continued musical activities...
, and was also the title song from that release. Joined by XTC member Dave Gregory's brother Ian on drums, the Dukes indulged in the stylistic tropes of 1960s psychedelia, particularly the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
variety.
Released on April Fool's Day 1985, the mini-album was a tongue in cheek homage to the heyday of psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
. Several of the tracks were made to sound like individual bands (like the Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
-era Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
sound of "Bike Ride to the Moon"). Others were simply a pastiche of the styles of the period as a whole. Though recorded on contemporary 1980s equipment, the mixing and overdubs closely replicate production techniques used in the mid-to-late 1960s. The album is also notable for its cover art (drawn by Partridge) which resembled the cover on the 1967 LP Disraeli Gears
Disraeli Gears
Disraeli Gears is the second album by British supergroup Cream. It was released in November 1967 and went on to reach #5 on the UK Albums Chart. It was also their American breakthrough, becoming a massive seller there in 1968, reaching #4 on the American charts...
by Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
.
The band issued a single and made a promotional film for "The Mole from the Ministry" (a song that owes a great deal to The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' "I Am the Walrus
I Am the Walrus
"I Am the Walrus" is a 1967 song by The Beatles, written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. Lennon claimed he wrote the first two lines on separate acid trips. The song was in the Beatles' 1967 television film and album Magical Mystery Tour, and was the B-side to the #1 hit "Hello,...
").
The material on the 25 O'Clock mini-album (including the "hidden message" at the end of side two) was merged with the 1987 album Psonic Psunspot
Psonic Psunspot
Psonic Psunspot is the ninth studio album from XTC which was released under the pseudonym The Dukes of Stratosphear in 1987.Like the previous album 25 O'Clock, this album is inspired by the 1960s psychedelia...
for release as Chips from the Chocolate Fireball: An Anthology
Chips from the Chocolate Fireball
Chips from the Chocolate Fireball: An Anthology is a CD-only compilation album from XTC which was released under the pseudonym The Dukes of Stratosphear...
on CD, simultaneous with Psonic Psunspots vinyl release.
A remastered and expanded version of 25 O'Clock was released on 20 April 2009 by Andy Partridge's
Andy Partridge
Andrew John "Andy" Partridge is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has been known as Sir John Johns and Melchior and rose to fame as a founding member, guitarist and chief songwriter of the pop/new wave band, XTC. He lives in Swindon, Wiltshire, where he was raised.Partridge also...
Ape House record label. This edition of 25 O'Clock is credited to "XTC as The Dukes of Stratosphear"
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Sir John JohnsAndy Partridge
Andrew John "Andy" Partridge is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has been known as Sir John Johns and Melchior and rose to fame as a founding member, guitarist and chief songwriter of the pop/new wave band, XTC. He lives in Swindon, Wiltshire, where he was raised.Partridge also...
, except where noted.
EP: WOW 1
CD: APECD023
Also includes the promotional video for "The Mole from the Ministry" as a QuickTimeQuickTime
QuickTime is an extensible proprietary multimedia framework developed by Apple Inc., capable of handling various formats of digital video, picture, sound, panoramic images, and interactivity. The classic version of QuickTime is available for Windows XP and later, as well as Mac OS X Leopard and...
file.
Personnel
- Sir John JohnsAndy PartridgeAndrew John "Andy" Partridge is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has been known as Sir John Johns and Melchior and rose to fame as a founding member, guitarist and chief songwriter of the pop/new wave band, XTC. He lives in Swindon, Wiltshire, where he was raised.Partridge also...
- The Red CurtainColin MouldingColin Ivor Moulding is a bassist, songwriter and vocalist. He is a founding member of the band XTC. Though less prolific than bandmate Andy Partridge, Moulding wrote many of the group's most popular songs, including their first three UK hit singles: "Life Begins At The Hop", "Making Plans For...
- Lord Cornelius PlumDave GregoryDave Gregory is an English rock lead guitarist known best for his work with Swindon-based new wave band XTC.-Career:...
- E.I.E.I. Owen
Other versions
On the tribute album A Testimonial Dinner: The Songs of XTCA Testimonial Dinner: The Songs of XTC
A Testimonial Dinner: The Songs of XTC is a 1995 tribute album, featuring a variety of artists covering songs from the British band XTC. Unusually, XTC make an appearance on their own tribute album under the pseudonym Terry and the Lovemen....
, They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
contributed a cover version of "25 O'Clock".