STATE TO STATE
PLEASE NOTE:This article is taken from a very old issue of the original CyberNoise magazine/digizine.
It may have been slightly altered e.g. to remove out of date contact details.
by Ker Jens-Smith
808 STATE (Graham Massey, Darren Partington and Andrew Barker), progenitors of techno music and world renowned dance music group, are pleased to announce the launch of their worldwide information service STATE TO STATE.
Since the release of their 1988 debut album "Newbuild" 808 State have remained one of the most influential dance music bands in the world. With the club anthem "Pacific" in 1989 they made their mark and the follow up smash singles "In Yer Face", "Cubik/Olympic", "The Only Rhyme That Bites" (with MC Tunes) and "Ooops" (with Björk) have helped created a new genre of dance music. As in-demand producers 808 State have also worked on collaborations with artists diverse as: Quincy Jones, David Bowie, Electronic, The Future Sound Of London, New Order, The Shamen, Art Of Noise, UB40, Yellow Magic Orchestra and Björk, to name but a few! With seven albums to date, including the legendary "Ex:el", 808 State continue to re-invent their sound, refusing to be categorised. In their own words:
"Most dance music bands these days are more about hype than substance and 808 State have always been about completely the opposite. We've always believed in freedom of expression and that's what STATE TO STATE is about. It's going to give our fans the opportunity to speak directly to us, by post or electronic mail, from anywhere in the world. How can artists produce music for the people if they create barriers to keep them away?"
In the last twelve months 808 State have completed a nine week tour of the US, Hawaii, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong with Meat Beat Manifesto and Supreme Love Gods and then back out to the US for a stadium tour with New Order. Recent production work includes YMO, Something Wonderful, Heitor (from Simply Red) and Björk (Violently Happy remixes). Their new single "Bombadin" is due for release on 25th July 1994 on ZTT Records. It received a world premiere as the finale music to the Todd Oldham Winter 1994 fashion show in New York, featuring Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen and Co! Bombadin is currently 18 in the UK Record Mirror promo chart (a jump from 71!), 15 in the DJ Hype Chart and 25 in the DMC Chart. Over the Glastonbury weekend it was played three times in one hour on Kiss FM radio station in London! 808 State are currently in the studio working on their new album and "it's a new sound for a new scene!"
THE LAUNCH
STATE TO STATE is to receive its worldwide launch on MTV Europe's club dance programme The Party Zone on 4th August 1994 at midnight CET. This is the first time an artist has ever co-hosted the show and 808 will be playing some of their latest material and discussing the world's dance scene with the Party Zone VJ Simone. There's also a competition to win a Roland Drum Machine worth over $1,000! 808 State are the longest group to be signed to the infamous ZTT Label, which includes the artists Seal, Wendy & Lisa and Shades Of Rhythm. The Party Zone will be featuring a ZTT special on 7th July 1994, as a run-up to the State To State launch.
THE MAGAZINE
STATE TO STATE will include publication of a quarterly full colour magazine by 808 State, discussing the latest in music and technology worldwide, from 808's perspective. Subscribers (£13 in the UK, £15 overseas) will receive the magazine, updates on all future 808 State releases and collaborations and some unusual freebies.
THE FREE CD ALBUM
info removed. Produced by 808 State exclusively for their fans, the album includes over an hour of totally unreleased material including live performances. This is 808's chance to give something back to their fans, particularly apt given the recent publicity concerning CD pricing. This is the first time an artist has given away an album for free!
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
The launch of a permanent address on the Internet, allowing 34 million E-Mail users worldwide to communicate directly with 808 State! The new single Bombadin playing on all Virgin Airways flights throughout the Summer, along with an 808 State interview. A "Pirate TV" segment on a forthcoming Channel 4 TV series in the UK, and a number of as yet undisclosed collaborations and projects… more news to follow!
