Dukes (band)

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Dukes
[[Image:‎\|220px\|Duke perfroming Live @ Galatos]] Duke perfroming Live @ Galatos
Background information
Origin	Christchurch, New Zealand
Genre(s)	Rock
Years active	2003 - present
Website	http://www.myspace.com/dukestheband
Members
Matt Barus Jo Barus Brad Banks Lauren Mitchell Dan Kennedy
Former members
Fausia Fialele

The Dukes are a 5 piece rock band form Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Dukes formed in early 2003 as a four piece and fearured two brother, Matt and Jo Barus, and also Brad Banks and Fausia Fialele. The name of the Dukes comes from the cult classic seventies television show The Dukes of Hazzard.

The Dukes released their debut album, Lil’ Sunshine, in May 2005. The album spawned three singles have been released from this album: Mornin', Luv Came Thru, and Rather Be With You. In the past they have toured the New Zealand University Orientation Circuit and have also opened for INXS^{[citation needed]}.

he Dukes released their debut album2007 has been the biggest year in the Dukes history so far. In the early part of the year a new member was added to the group, Christchurch native Lauren Mitchell. Mitchell is also a solo artist and released her debut solo album in the later part of 2007, titled Debut. In May the original Dukes drummer, Fausia Fialele, left the group suddenly and was replaced by Dan Kennedy. The Dukes now stand as a five piece.

On Friday 9th of March came the Dukes biggest brakethrough of their career. They entered and won the New Zealand leg of MTV Kickstart Competition, a music competition for bands from both New Zealand and Australia. Eventually they came second, however, to Yves Klein Blue, one of the Australian bands in the competition but the prize for their New Zealand leg win entitled them to many prizes including the chance to take part in the New Zealand first Mile High gig. In May they helped officially open up New Zealand Music Month in both Christchurch and Auckland and featured alongside high profile local acts including Fur Patrol.

The first single off their second album, yet to be titled, was Always Forever. The song is a fan favourite and found minor success on local radio. The video for the song was filmed by MTV New Zealand and was released to television in July. Throughout the second part of 2007 the band was involved in two big tours with local rock band The Have and late 1970s and early 1980s pop/rock band Th'Dudes.

2007 was a successful year for the Dukes music with two of their songs appearing on two high profile television shows. The first was American Drama Brothers & Sisters (2006 TV series) and the second was New Zealand local hit drama Outrageous Fortune (TV series) which featured the groups song, Luv Came Thru.