Episode 26 –808 State - Pacific State

It’s the mid-1980s, and Graham Massey works in a cafe across the road from a record store called Eastern Bloc, in Manchester, England. Established only a couple of years ago by Martin Price and John Berry, Eastern Bloc has become an important part of the Manchester music scene, responsible as it is for introducing locals to much new electronic, hip hop, funk, and other music imported from Detroit, Chicago, and elsewhere. Besides working in a cafe, Massey has much music experience, having been a member of Factory Records’ post-punk band, Biting Tongues, as well as a producer of other artists’ recordings. Given that he works over the road from Eastern Bloc, Massey gets to know Price very well. It is from this association that the two form the group 808 State, and influence the direction of acid house, thanks to their track, Pacific State.