Andy Barker, longtime member of UK acid house group 808 State, has died. The band confirmed the news in a social media post, saying that Barker died “after a short period of illness” on Saturday. “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,” the group’s statement reads. “You’ll be sadly missed.”
Before joining 808 State, Barker was one half of a DJ duo called the Spinmasters. He eventually joined 808 State after co-founding member Gerald Simpson left to pursue a solo project called A Guy Called Gerald, taking over as bassist and keyboardist. His first releases with the group were 1989’s Quadrastate EP and the 1989 LP 90, which was followed by 1991’s ex:el. Over the years, 808 State worked with artists including Björk, New Order’s Bernard Sumner, and Manic Street Preachers’ James Dean Bradfield. The group’s last album, Transmission Suite, was released in 2019.
