Artist

808 State

1987-present·Manchester

Born from Manchester's Eastern Bloc record shop, 808 State turned Roland drum machines and samplers into lush, cinematic acid house. Named after the Roland TR-808, they built tracks from breakbeats, diva vocals, and ambient washes that sounded like downtempo house filtered through Manchester's grey skies.

The full story is in The Haçienda Sound.

At a glance

Active
1987–present
From
Manchester, UK
Records in the issues
1 (1989)
Original label
ZTT
Listening guide track
“Pacific State”

Listen

In the The Haçienda Sound listening guide: “Pacific State”

Spotify

In the issues

  • The Haçienda Sound
    Principal · 1982-1997 · Members

    The Haçienda Sound is a music scene from Manchester, UK, 1982–1997. Its principal artists include Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, New Order and 808 State. This issue covers 8 essential albums and 14 dated events.

Records

Terms

808
A drum machine that Roland released in 1980, known for its booming synthesized bass drum, snappy handclap, and cowbell.
Acid house
A style of house music characterized by squelching, resonant basslines produced using the Roland TB-303 synthesizer.
Breakbeat
A drum pattern, usually sampled from the break of a funk or soul record, with syncopated rhythms rather than a steady four-on-the-floor kick.