Daz 808 State
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you and Andrew several times over the years, DJing at some of the same nights and back in 1996 I was on your show where you played a couple of tracks off a DAT I brought in.
Both you and Andrew were such an important part of life back in the 1990s as DJs on radio, in clubs and as members of 808 State. Not only were you a huge inspiration to many but you shaped the record collections of so many people in and around Manchester and further afield back then.
SH: When Sunset Radio launched in October 1989, how did you come to be a part of it, were you asked or did you have to apply to be presenters?
DP: We already knew Mike Shaft from going to a lot of the nights he put on and when he asked if we’d be interested in doing a show on Sunset, we said yeah OK we’ll give it a go. Initially it was Martin Price, Graham Massey and Andrew and myself but the dynamic wasn’t quite right and it soon became just me and Andrew as we seemed to bounce off each other much better.
SH: Tuesday nights 9-12 was the original time slot and you managed to pack the show full of incredible music with the 808 State & Eastern Bloc charts and some of the funniest moments ever witnessed on radio – the home made listener jingles, the shouts, the problems, the club guide, dating agency and the banter between the music and of course Andy’s laughing monster! Those STA Travel adverts were absolutey class as well.
SH: I loved the way you would support local talent, featuring them on your show as either brand new artists or people that were already on the scene but needed a bit of a push. Two that come to mind are M.V.I.T.A. (Manchester Vibes In The Area) who had a four track EP that sadly never saw a release and Neukleotide – Hybrid that I heard you helped them get a vinyl release of that back in 1991 is that correct?
DP: Yeah I financed Nuekloetide as I really liked their sound and what they (Shak & Mick Edge) were about – using live drums and incorporating samples, synths and drum machines too.
SH: It must have been great having a platform to broadcast weekly with the emerging music from the US and Europe which made up a large part of the show via Eastern Bloc and the ability to plug The Soundgarden which I have to say was one of THE best clubs in Manchester (I remember how hot it was in there with the black tar dripping from the ceiling) before those big industrial fans were installed!
SH: The all-nighters were incredible with some really nice slower tracks getting dropped such as Dr Alban – No Coke and Y.B.U. – Keep It Up.
SH: Djing on Radio or in Clubs – which did you prefer?
DP: Clubs as you got to see all the immediate reactions. Radio to us was funny as we weren’t really proper presenters you know, we just had a laugh and played great tunes each week.
OK, some quick fire questions
SH: Favourite track of all time?
DP: C.O.D. – In The Bottle
SH: Favourite club you’ve DJ’d at?
DP: The Soundgarden
SH: Best club you’ve been to as a punter?
DP: Fabric, London
SH: What’s your favourite food?
DP: Jamaican
SH: What’s your favourite tipple?
DP: Corona
SH: Where did you and Andrew first meet?
DP: At Youth Clubs in the early 80s
Spinmasters in action at the Salvation Army in Ancoats, 1985.
SH: How has life changed for you since Andrew passed away?
DP: It’s been hard as he was my best mate and dealing with it in my own way, I just think of him being in the next room and that helps me get through.
SH: What’s next for you?
DP: Continue Djing wherever I get the chance to play and hopefully creating some new music in a different direction.
SH: Thanks again for taking the time out to do this, all the best and big love and respect for everything you’ve done over the years x
You can book Darren for DJ sets at this link.
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