Cuff the Duke

Cuff the Duke
Cuff the Duke performing at The Exchange in Regina, Saskatchewan in 2006
Background information
Origin	Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Alternative country
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Paper Bag, Three Gut, Hardwood, Noble
Website	www.cufftheduke.ca
Members	Wayne Petti Paul Lowman AJ Johnson François Turenne Thom Hammerton
Past members	Dale Murray Corey Wood Jordan Howard Jeff Peers Brad Fudge Patrick Conan Steve Krecklo Christopher Sandes Matt Faris

Cuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.

Cuff the Duke formed in Oshawa, drawing their name from a shirt purchased by front-man Wayne Petti at a secondhand shop. Starting as a duo consisting of Petti and Jeff Peers, the band later expanded to include bass player Paul Lowman and drummer Brad Fudge. In 2002 they released their first album, Life Stories for Minimum Wage on Three Gut Records. They spent the next few years touring with Hayden, acting as his backing band. In 2005 they released their second album, Cuff the Duke on Hardwood Records.

The line-up for Cuff the Duke has evolved, with the consistent members thus far being Wayne Petti and Paul Lowman. With Dale Murray now in Cuff the Duke, the band has taken on a more polished tone, due to his pedal steel and guitar playing. Patrick Conan (who temporarily filled in for Matt Faris who has been side-lined from playing live due to wrist surgery) has been a steady drummer and has filled Matt Faris' shoes well. Paul Aucoin of the Hylozoists also occasionally performs live with Cuff the Duke playing vibraphone, glockenspiel and percussion. Paul also produced Cuff the Duke's self-titled album in 2005. Since June 2007, Corey Wood has taken on the role of Cuff the Duke's drummer, and is now an official member of the band.

Cuff the Duke utilizes a wide range of instruments, of these the more notable instruments are bells, Moog synthesizers, wind organs, Hammond organs and lap steel.