Filthy Dukes Pix piece

FILTHY DUKES posted by P.i.X on the 06/07/09

There are three tell tale signs you’ve enjoyed a good gig.
1. Profuse sweating.
2. Embarrassing ‘beat keeping’ body movement and
3.The inability to express oneself in anyway other than ‘FUCKING HELL’.
Upon enjoying the fruits of the Filthy Dukes at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen quite recently l could be found doing all of the above. Muttering profanities, body popping and perspiring profusely in utter approval of their seriously superb set. I’ve always been one to sit on the fence when it comes to the Dukes. They do tick all the right boxes in terms of mixes, production and brand-ability but when it comes to offering me a little somethin’. Somethin’ that can tickle my fancy and make me prance like a crazy.... l have never been quite convinced. Until last night. Allow me to elaborate. The boys began their musical journey, much like my good self, as industry scutterrats. Darting here there and everywhere, feverishly ferreting about for any morsel of opportunity that could free them from the doom and gloom of ‘The day job’, they served their time as slaves to their scene until they managed to break free and form their very own gruesome threesome. The toil and strife seems to have paid off and they have since gone on to win themselves a pretty generous portion of fame and glory pie. When l watched them live it became oh so crystal clear they’ve grafted their signature sound down to a fine art, coiffed choruses and thrown-up thrash galore, the Dukes entertain their fans for sure: Laser visual show? Check. Crowd pleasing, surfing and screaming? Check. Jerk-jar-jolt-jumping energy? Check, CHECK. Their gigs are always sold out and this is clearly why. They began bang on time and even overran their 45-minute set because they were enjoying us enjoying them. How refreshing. Playing flat out and full on in the freshly cultivated 90’s funky house sound they have been busy perfecting of late (the new album is full of overly familiar happy Mondays melodies) l can very much assure you, it twisted my invisible maracas, not to mention my melon. The Filthy Dukes love what they do and that shines through when you watch them lose themselves in-front of an audience.
l don’t ‘get’ the Filthy Dukes and I’m not sure they even do, like a musical advent calendar there’s a surprise behind every track on their new album, they veer all over the road from genius to dross. I give ‘em kudos alone for the experimental sound they throw down. Only the Dukes could get their crowds bumping, grinding, stage surfing and binge drinking on a Tuesday school night. I think they were definitely worth the hangover.
Filthy Dukes new album: ‘Nonsense in the Dark’ is now out and proud in all good record shops.

Milly McMahon
myspace.com/filthydukes