They released their debut Newbuild in 1988. Autechre and Aphex Twin have often cited the album as being enormously influential, and the group achieved some degree of chart success in the UK in the early 1990s with releases Pacific State, Cubik and In Yer Face.
Olympic the flip side of Cübik was remixed for Channel 4's 'After the Pub Television' show "The Word" (1990-95).
They were considered pioneers of the acid house sound, a staple and foundation of rave music. Martin Price, who owned a popular and legendary record store called Eastern Bloc and who founded the independent label Creed, joined up with producer and local musician Graham Massey. They teamed up with Gerald Simpson, who collaborated the effort. At this time, 808 State recorded the debut EP Newbuild, in 1988.
MC Tunes (real name Nicky Lockett) was a Manchester rapper, who worked with the band on the 1990 album, The North At Its Heights. The album was a moderate success, reaching #26 in the UK charts, and also saw European and Japanese release. It spawned three UK singles, The Only Rhyme That Bites (UK #10), Tunes Split The Atom (UK #18) and Primary Rhyming (UK #67). Tunes later returned in 1996 to work with on a new track, Pump, taken from their album Thermo Kings. It was due to be released as a single, but this never happened.
Simpson left the group in 1989 to form his own solo project, A Guy called Gerald; his biggest hit was Voodoo Ray. At this point, the remaining personnel enlisted Andrew Barker and Darren Partington (known as the Spinmasters) to record an EP called Quadrastate in 1989. A very popular hit on the club floors came forth from this effort, entitled Pacific. Their next album, Ninety, was well-received by the ever-growing rave culture at that time. There were other singles released, some of which ended up on the 1991 album Ex:El, which featured vocals from Bernard Sumner (New Order) and ex-Sugarcubes vocalist Björk. It is said that people crawled through the air shafts of the Hacienda to see them.
In 1992, Price left the group to do solo producing, eventually forming his own label, Sun Text. The remaining members released a fourth album called Gorgeous, and after that, did some remix work for David Bowie, Soundgarden, and other performers, before returning with the album entitled Don Solaris in 1996. They released a greatest-hits compilation named 808:88-98 in 1998. The band is still active, touring and performing DJ sets, and releasing albums and singles to the dance and rave scene.
In September 2011, ZTT released the compilation, Blueprint, featuring some re-recordings of several of their best songs.
Sites: Twitter and Facebook.
In Yer Face
808 State Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A powerful feeling that the American system is failing to deal, with the real threats to life.
The bomb, the pollution of air and water, the population explosion, the mounting of slums and crime.
IN YOUR FACE!!!
The lyrics of 808 State's song "In Yer Face" delves into the anxieties that come with the complexities and challenges of modern life. The words express the conflict that exists between the older generation, who are concerned about the current state of the world and the younger generation that is just coming into adulthood, who are likely to face the brunt of the consequences of the system's failure to deal with the problems affecting the planet.
The song also identifies the real threats to life that the American system has been failing to address effectively. It mentions the dangers of the nuclear bomb, the pollution of air and water, the population explosion, and the mounting slums and crime. The words "IN YOUR FACE!!!" seems to be a battle cry of sorts, a call for someone or something to take action urgently and decisively to address these problems.
Overall, the lyrics of "In Yer Face" capture the sense of urgency and impending crisis that pervaded the 80s and 90s, a period marked by Cold War tensions, environmental degradation, and social unrest.
Line by Line Meaning
There are new forces in the World, a conflict between the generations.
The world is changing rapidly, causing a clash between different age groups and beliefs.
A powerful feeling that the American system is failing to deal, with the real threats to life.
Many people believe that the United States government is not adequately addressing the serious dangers to humanity.
The bomb, the pollution of air and water, the population explosion, the mounting of slums and crime.
Various severe problems, including nuclear weapons, environmental contamination, overpopulation, and a rise in poverty and criminal activity, are becoming more prominent in society.
IN YOUR FACE!!!
This is a confrontational phrase often used to assert dominance or superiority in a given situation.
Contributed by Nathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dylan
Is it healthy to have the same song on repeat for 2 years? I reckon so.
PROYECTO INTERACCIONES
Excelente canción y disco. En nuestro proyecto hicimos música junto a Andy Barker de 808 State. De paso les dejo la invitación a músicos y productores para sumarse cuan quieran, es un proyecto gratuito y colectivo
Lou Popz
YESSS!!! 👁💜🏠🎵
telektonon _121 AEON
How ‘bout since 1991? Especially this particular remix! 💖
G K
absolutely
Paul Sinclair
As one of those grumpy old people that was buying records when the original 808 state tune came out, I can confirm that this is a perfectly delightful re-imagining and will be blessing my SX2 with this as soon as I get home ;) Good work fellas
Seven memes a day
gonna to do the same with my rzx x)
Shieftain
lol it would've been perfect if you ended your comment with "now get off my lawn"
Gabrielle Hamilton
I’m just getting here,
I’m so thrilled this song came across my path.
Peace and Love, my brothers and sisters.
KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH AND STAY GROOVY 🖤
Markus
I absolutely love this tune, been listening to it for months