Matt King (guitar, vocals) formed the Dukes with Dave Halloran (drums) in 2015. Grec (lead guitar) and Richard Blackwood (bass) joined soon after. The band rehearsed for two years playing a mix of new songs written by Matt, songs from Matt's previous three solo albums and a variety of covers. The band made its live debut in February 2017. The music is a blend of psychedelic blues, garage rock, soul, early rock and roll and r&b.