Andy Barker from 808 State has passed away

Andrew Barker, member of Manchester electronica band 808 State, has passed away.

Seminal acid house group 808 State was formed by Graham Massey, Martin Price and Gerald Simpson in 1988. Andrew Barker and Darren Partington, known as the Spinmasters, joined in 1989 following Simpson’s departure.

808 State released album ‘Newbuild’ in 1988 and collaborated with artists such as James Dean Bradfield and Björk. Their latest album 'Transmission Suite', was released in 2019 - the band's first album in 17 years.

The band announced his passing via the following statement earlier today:

It reads: "Its with a heavy heart to inform you of the passing of Andrew Barker".

The statement from his family said: "His family and friends asks that people respect their privacy at this time but remember him for the joy he brought through his personality and music. You’ll be sadly missed”.

In an interview from 2019 with Skiddle, Barker spoke of his entry to DJing and the emergence of 808 State: "I started DJing when I was fourteen in a local youth club, playing early hip hop and electro. By the time I was old enough to go out clubbing, house music had arrived. The similarity between electro and house was what seduced me to the new genre. It had a huge influence on what I was playing in my sets and creating in the studio.”

“By 1988, I had a couple of residences, I was going to warehouse parties and making music regularly. I had a weekly radio show and 808 State was born, a long and successful journey which has brought us here today, on the precipice of another release."

Tributes have been pouring in since the announcement towards the Manchester great from far and wide.

Niamh Ingram is Mixmag's Weekend Editor, follow her on Twitter