We thought you might like to know that the regular jewel case edition of Rick Witter & The Dukes debut album – The Year of the Rat – is available now, priced only £8.99.
 
The CD will officially be released on September 10th, but you can buy it now direct from the band and receive a free button badge with each order by visiting www.blueapplemusic.co.uk

A promo video for the album's title track has been filmed by Shed Seven guitarist Paul Banks and his new production company, DigiFish. Check it out on our MySpace profile.

I'm sure you've all heard the Shed Seven news by now, we're getting together for a UK tour this winter, playing the hits and a few other tunes. I just wanted to  drop you all a line to say that this does not signal the end of The Dukes, in fact quite the opposite, I see The Dukes very much as a band in its infancy and am looking forward to the years ahead.

The jewel case edition of our album 'The Year Of The Rat' will be available early August and in fact this weekend we're shooting a video to accompany the title track.  We're out playing some gigs in August, we hope to confirm some more one-off shows, together with a little tour early in 2008. We're also working on new songs, ready for the follow up.  We'll keep you updated on The Dukes via MySpace and our mailing list – if it's Shed Seven info you want, then log on to www.myspace.com/officialshedseven

See you soon

Rick Witter

For those of you who missed The Dukes in session on Clint Boon's XFM show last week, you can listen to the tracks now by clicking here http://www.xfmmanchester.co.uk/article.asp?b=reviews&id=282757
 
Rick will also be live on Steve Lamacq's 6 Music show on Monday afternoon (21st May).
 
Don't forget The Dukes play London Islington Academy next Friday (May 25th). Check our gig calendar for a full list of the remaining shows.
 
Thanks for your continued support

Hello

The album launch show on the River Ouse was a great success, the band would like to thank everyone who made the trip, we hope you had a good time. You can read what the York Evening Press had to say by clicking: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/search/display.var.1334368.0.review_rick_witter_and_the_dukes_ouse_cruise_album_launch_york.php 

If you weren't lucky enough to get a ticket, there's a second show in York this Thursday,April 19th. It's on dry land this time, at the Post Office Social Club in Marygate. Tickets are priced £12 and are available from http://www.dukeshop.co.uk

The Dukes are also on tour throughout April and May.  Other gigs include Glasgow Barrowlands 2 on April 28th, Leeds Cockpit on May 11th, London Islington Club Academy on May 25th, and Manchester Academy 3 on June 1st.

The limited edition version of Rick Witter and The Dukes debut album 'The Year Of The Rat' is selling fast. The CD, presented in an embossed metal tin, is currently available exclusively to the fanbase, long before regular copies of the album hit the shops. Only one thousand copies of this special edition have been pressed - you can buy it now at http://www.dukeshop.co.uk
 
Thanks again for all of your support.
 
Best regards
 
Simon Lawlor

A limited edition version of Rick Witter and The Dukes debut album 'The Year Of The Rat' is now available to pre-order.

The first one thousand copies are presented in an embossed metal tin, with card slip case and fold out lyric poster. They can be purchased by visiting:

www.simonlawlor.co.uk/shop/rickshop.html

This collector's tin is a one-off run and is expected to sell out quickly. To avoid disappointment, please order early.

The album features eleven tracks produced by the band and Will Jackson (Pigeon Detectives, Embrace). You can hear the full version of the album's title track, together with several exclusive clips, by visiting: http://www.rickwitter.com

Tickets for the album launch show on a York riverboat are now sold out, but for those who missed out, the band have added an extra York show on Thurs April 19th. For updated details of all Dukes shows, including London, Manchester and Glasgow, please check our website.
 
Thanks for your support.

For those of you who missed out on tickets for Rick Witter and The Dukes album launch show on the River Ouse, the band have announced an extra York date – and this time it's on dry land.

The band will play Post Office Social Club, Marygate, York on Thursday April 19^th.  Tickets are priced £12 (plus booking fee) and you have a chance to purchase now, before they go on sale to the general public, by visiting http://www.simonlawlor.co.uk/shop/rickshop.html

Details of album pre-order to follow shortly.

Rick Witter and The Dukes are celebrating the release of their debut album with a special gig onboard a riverboat cruising down the River Ouse in York on Sunday April 15th.

Numbers for this event are strictly limited and demand is expected to be high. We've decided that the best way to allocate tickets is via a ballot. For full details and to register an interest, please visit  www.simonlawlor.com/ousecruise.html You have until this Sunday (April 1st) to register for tickets, and don't worry, this is not an Aprils Fools joke!

The Dukes debut album 'The Year of The Rat' is officially available on Monday April 16th, although guests on the boat trip will have the chance to pick up a copy a day early and get it signed by the band.

The album features eleven tracks produced by the band and Will Jackson (Pigeon Detectives, Embrace). The first one thousand copies of the CD will be presented in a limited edition collectors tin. Members of the official mailing list will receive advance purchase details in early April. To ensure that your name is on the list, please send a blank email to addme@rickwitter.com

The full track listing for the album is as follows: The Year Of The Rat / He Was The Boy Who Waited So Long He Forgot What He Was Waiting For / The Other Way Around / The Devil Will Be Waiting For You / Flying Blind / Sleeping In Airports / Sky Falls Down / Forever Gone / Torn Up Memory / Pull Together /Dead On Arrival

The Dukes will be hitting the road throughout April and May. Rather than waiting for all dates to be confirmed before making an announcement, we'll be adding shows to the gig calendar on this page as and when we have the promoters say so!

As a little treat to whet your appetite before the Xmas gigs, an exclusive track from Rick Witter and The Dukes debut album is now up on our MySpace page. It's the full version of "He Was The Boy Who Waited So Long That He Forgot What He Was Waiting For". The track was recorded at Soundworks Studios in Leeds and was produced by the band and Will Jackson. Please feel free to add this song to your profile and help spread the word.

The December dates are as follows:

Thurs 14th: Manchester Club Academy (0161 832 1111 www.ticketline.co.uk )
Fri 15th: Glasgow King Tuts (0870 1690100 www.gigsinscotland.com)
Sat 16th: Leeds The Faversham (08700 600 100 www.ticketweb.co.uk)

Rick Witter and The Dukes debut album 'The Year Of The Rat' will be available late Feb / early March 2007.

You can also grab yourself a pre-Christmas bargain in the SLM shop, www.dukeshop.co.uk with Rick Witter and The Dukes t-shirts reduced to only £7.99.