Fans of 808 State?

[Lunatique]

One of my major electonic music influences was 808 State (along with Kraftwerk, Art of Noise, Yello, New Order, Sakamoto Ryuichi..etc). I haven't listened to 808 State for a few years because a large part of my CD collection was locked in storage in another country. I recently retrieved my entire CD collection from storage (About 500 CDs total), and have been enjoying music that I missed immensely in the last few years.

I think 808 State is probably one of the most sophisticated techno (it was called techno back then. Now it's probably called something else) band ever. Those guys were real musicians that used synths and drum machines to create complex and musical pieces, not just your stereotypical knob-tweakers that churned out repetitive bleeps and looped beats. The album "Ex:El" was a brilliant masterpiece, significantly better than their other efforts. Listening to Ex:El again today after all these years really surprised me just how sophisticated it is musically, with complex chord progressions, inventive melodies, elaborate arrangements, and thoughtful drum programming with off-beats.

However, when Don Solaris came out, I was horribly disappointed, and I don't think they ever got back into the shape they were in.

Anyway, just thought I'd share these thoughts.

[Glassback]

Yeah, Don Solaris was awful.
Wasn't that after Graham Massey had left though?

FYI - they're still going strong and I saw them live just a couple of months ago.
They still play the good stuff - not so much of the later stuff.


They've presented a couple of shows on my radio stations as well.
Ever heard their radio shows? Pure mental.
Listening, they sound like rank amateurs having a laugh, but watching them, everythings deliberate and comic timing. Genii.

[donkey tugger]

They were ok. I did see that old c**t from them slip over on his arse in Manchester Victoria train station once though, top larf.

[Glassback]

They were ok. I did see that old c**t from them slip over on his arse in Manchester Victoria train station once though, top larf.

I'm guessing that would be Graham Massey?

[donkey tugger]

They were ok. I did see that old c**t from them slip over on his arse in Manchester Victoria train station once though, top larf.

I'm guessing that would be Graham Massey?

Tht's the bugger! Used to work at Eastern Bloc.

[Rozzer]

...Ever heard their radio shows? Pure mental.

The first ever public airing of one of my tunes was on the 808 State show

[Glassback]

...Ever heard their radio shows? Pure mental.

The first ever public airing of one of my tunes was on the 808 State show

Holy cool, batman!
Which station?

Don't you think they're like a more underground Mark n Lard?

[Rozzer]

...Ever heard their radio shows? Pure mental.

The first ever public airing of one of my tunes was on the 808 State show

Holy cool, batman!
Which station?

Don't you think they're like a more underground Mark n Lard?

Prolly about 10 years ago, on Key 103 I think. The chap I used to write tunes with in those days sold gas door to door with Andy from the 808 show. I guess things weren't so good for them around that time!

I miss those shows though. They were funny as f**k. As you say, very mark n lard!

[audiobot202]

808 State are still one of my favourite bands...
And yes they're still going strong. It was Martin price who left incidentally. I liked Don Solaris but loved Ex:el for obvious reasons. 'Qmart' is an absolute gem and really kickstarted Bjork's electronic music career. This fact is often conveniently forgotten. She was stil trying to break frm the Sugarcubes when she collaborated with them.
Check out their latest 'Outpost Transmissions'. I think it's a bit overcompressed, but it has a hard beat driven sound. They also recently re released a lot of old and hard to get material on Rephlex called 'PreBuild'
Worth a look.
I also did a re interpretation of Pacific State
And, I also got to interview Martin Price a few years ago. If you go to my website, you'll find this stuff...

Steve

[Glassback]

It was Martin price who left incidentally.

Graham Massey did leave though, at some point.
And came out with some not-very-great solo stuff.

He wanted his own radio show cos he didn't wanna work with 'the lads' anymore.
(and, f**k me, we gave him one as well! )

[mute]

I agree and disagree. I think Don Solaris was easily one of their best albums, and so was the remix album Thermo Kings. Best of 90's right there.

I've never really understood so many 808er's dislike of don solaris.., perhaps its the dnb and harder elements. to me its very coherent and solid as a whole and represents the climax of alot of projects Graham was involved in at the time, including Lamb's first album.

At this point of the 808 I was starting to grow weary of the cheesily melodic trumpet, etc. stuff that I had known and loved 808 for the previous years.

Ex:el is a classic album but a little too pop'd out for my tastes nowadays and a bit dated. But we're talkin in relative terms here

Anyways, yes 808 rule. Outpost Transmissions was a decent album but really only had a few gems, I'm looking forward to their next output.

I grew up on the 808. The Fon studio mix albums for YMO and Art of Noise are also classic pieces of plastic.

[mute]

It was Martin price who left incidentally.

Graham Massey did leave though, at some point.
And came out with some not-very-great solo stuff.

There is no 808State without Graham Massey. I think you're mistaken. Maybe what you mean to refer to is a 808State 'hiatus'.

[skipscada]

The Fon studio mix albums for YMO (...) also classic pieces of plastic.

Care to elaborate? What's this? What's good about it? Why more interesting than the remastered YMO albums they're practically giving away these days? Ooops! This thread is about 808 State. Eh... I actually bought an old YMO album AND 808 State's Ex:el at the same time the other day, if that's an excuse. Oh, and I remember "Lift" being described as "the worst track I've ever heard" ...by the worst pop show presenter I've ever come across.

[audiobot202]

It was Martin price who left incidentally.

Graham Massey did leave though, at some point.
And came out with some not-very-great solo stuff.

There is no 808State without Graham Massey. I think you're mistaken. Maybe what you mean to refer to is a 808State 'hiatus'.

Quite right. Graham never actually left 808. He had always done solo work, like production, engineering or remix work for others, but always came back to 808 State. I don't think there was ever talk of him leaving in an official capacity.
Martin Price left because he felt they'd gone as far as they could with their sound. I know this because he chatted about it with me in the interview. He never really did anything else afterwards...at least nothing that hit the papers. He did do some collabs.
808 have always been hot and cold though. Nothing has ever reached the sublime heights of Pacific for example, but there is some solid work in later years and some hidden gems. The whole of the ex:el album is inventive and progressive...Don Solaris is very organic and they have never been afraid to experiment with all sorts of different instruments. Graham is really the musical heart of the group.
They're with Circus records now and have new management.
For me, they define some really important moments in my life and really redefined how 'Techno' at the time was perceived. They actually made real albums with thematic elements. Intelligent stuff. Most other 'dance music' at the time was still stuck in plopping out albums full of singles and remixes.

Steve

[audiobot202]

The Fon studio mix albums for YMO (...) also classic pieces of plastic.

Care to elaborate? What's this? What's good about it? Why more interesting than the remastered YMO albums they're practically giving away these days? Ooops! This thread is about 808 State. Eh... I actually bought an old YMO album AND 808 State's Ex:el at the same time the other day, if that's an excuse. Oh, and I remember "Lift" being described as "the worst track I've ever heard" ...by the worst pop show presenter I've ever come across.

There was a remix album released of YMO stuff. 808 State and Graham Massey appeared as remixers along with people like AON and Richard Kirk. It was pretty good stuff.
'Lift'...I actually think the album mix is superb stuff. It's like futuristic musak for a massive hypermart. Granted, it's not what you'd call conventional stomper material, but so what? It's actually different and musical. I think 808 tend to be a bit too way out there for some ears. They like to do pretty much their own thing and a lot of listeners prefer safe material time and time again.