Dukes of Stratosphear’s ‘Complete and Utter Dukes’ box set includes CDs, vinyl, puzzle

The Dukes of Stratosphear — the classic psychedelic-pop side project from XTC’s Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding and Dave Gregory — is repackaging its slim, yet beloved, discography next month in a “psumptuous” limited-edition box set called The Complete and Utter Dukes.

Enclosed in a purple velvet-lined box, the set — from Partridge’s Ape House Records — features the Dukes’ 1985 EP 25 O’Clock and 1987 album Psonic Psunspot on both CD (they were released on bonus-filled compact discs for the first time ever earlier this year) and 180-gram remastered vinyl in gatefold sleeves, plus a 7-inch single of “Tin Toy Clockwork Train”/”The Affiliated.”

The collection also features a “fiendish 500-piece psyche jigsaw (puzzle) of tantalizing difficulty,” as well as a stack of “Dukes Dollars,” one of which can be exchanged for a free Dukes of Stratosphear T-shirt if the set is purchased through a vendor other than Ape House (fans who buy through the label can select their T-shirt size up front).

While the retail version of the set includes the two CDs, Partridge is giving people who purchase the set through Ape House the option of buying it without the CDs, which “will mean you don’t have to purchase anything you already have and thus suffer dreaded rippy-offy feelings.” Also, for fans looking to get 25 O’Clock and Psonic Psunspot on vinyl, the two titles will be individually released by Ape House on Jan. 26 — so the box set won’t be the only way to get those titles on 12-inch.

The Complete and Utter Dukes is due out in the U.S. on Dec. 8, but will begin shipping Monday for fans who purchase the set through Ape House. It can be pre-ordered here.

See full details of ‘The Complete and Utter Dukes’ after the jump…

The Dukes of Stratosphear, The Complete and Utter Dukes

— 25 O’Clock and Psonic Psunpot on remastered, expanded CD*
— 25 O’Clock and Psonic Psunspot on 180-gram, remastered vinyl in gatefold sleeves
— “Tin Toy Clockwork Train”/”The Affiliated” 7-inch single
— 500-piece Dukes of Stratosphear jigsaw puzzle
— Some Dukes Dollars
— Exclusive Dukes of Stratosphear T-shirt**

*Can be ordered without CDs
**T-shirt must be ordered separately for sets bought at retail

PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS

• ‘XTC As…’: Re-branded Dukes of Stratosphear reissues due in March
• In stores Tuesday: Pet Shop Boys import, Dukes of Stratosphear reissues
• Quick Spins: Big Audio Dynamite, Dinosaur Jr, Joy Division, Dukes of Stratosphear