Some musical artists tend to have a pretty apparent royalty complex. Fortunately, Duchess of York seems to keep it focused solely on its namesake. While frontman Michael York and his cohorts may not be heir to the musical throne just yet, the band is strengthening its influence on the downtown Richmond music scene and creating its own kind of hierarchy. Mixing the influences of such modern acts as My Morning Jacket, the Strokes and the White Stripes, Duchess of York plays Toad's Place on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. $5. 648-8623. — Alexander Chang