A Brief History of Acid House Music

A look at the history of acid house music and its influence on the rave culture of the late 80s and early 90s.

Origins

Formally, acid house can be described as a subgenre of house music that emerged in the mid- to late-1980s, characterized by the use of the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer. It was named after the drug ecstasy, which was often consumed by ravers at the clubs where acid house was played. Acid house was a direct outgrowth of the post-disco and Chicago house scenes of the early 1980s.

Chicago house

In the early 1980s, a new style of music was emerging from the streets of Chicago. This new style, which would come to be known as house, was a fusion of elements from disco, soul, and electronic music. House music became hugely popular in the city’s clubs and soon spread to other parts of the United States and Europe.

One of the most important figures in the development of house music was DJ Frankie Knuckles, who is often referred to as the “godfather of house.” Knuckles played a major role in shaping the sound of Chicago house with his innovative mixing and use of drum machines. His work had a profound influence on subsequent generations of DJs and producers.

Today, house music is enjoyed by people all over the world and continues to evolve as new artists experiment with its sound.

Detroit techno

In the mid-1980s, a new style of electronic music emerged from the Detroit underground scene. Influenced by Chicago house and other forms of dance music, this new sound quickly gained popularity in the clubs and on the radio. Known as “techno,” this style would soon spread around the world and become one of the most influential genres of electronic dance music.

Techno was originally created by a group of African American artists and producers who were exploring new ways to create music with synthesizers and other electronic equipment. These pioneers included Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, who were later joined by other talented producers like Jeff Mills and Carl Craig. Together, they helped to shape the sound of techno and turn it into a global phenomenon.

While techno is often associated with dark underground clubs, it has also been used in a wide variety of settings, from fashion shows to car commercials. Its popularity has led to the creation of many subgenres, such as trance, drum & bass, and minimal techno. No matter what form it takes, techno continues to be one of the most exciting and innovative genres of electronic music.

The Second Summer of Love

In the late 1980s, Acid House music emerged from the underground dance music scene in the UK. The music was characterized by its use of synthesizers and drum machines, which created a unique sound that was unlike anything that had been heard before. The Acid House sound quickly spread to other parts of the world, and the Second Summer of Love was born.

The birth of acid house

In the late 1980s, a new style of house music was born in the underground clubs of Chicago. This new sound, which came to be known as “acid house,” was characterized by its use of a synthesizer called the Roland TB-303. The TB-303 was originally designed as a bass synthesizer, but it became one of the most important elements of acid house music.

The acid house sound quickly spread from Chicago to other cities in the United States, and then to Europe. In 1988, acid house parties began to be held in London, and the following year, the first ” rave ” party was held in England. Rave parties were large gatherings of people who danced all night to acid house music.

The popularity of acid house music declined in the early 1990s, but it has remained an important influence on many other styles of electronic music.

The rave scene

The rave scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s was defined by a sense of freedom and openness, as young people came together to listen to electronic dance music in all-night parties. This new genre, known as acid house, was characterized by its use of the synthesized bassline known as the “acid” sound. Acid house soon spread beyond the underground clubs of London and Manchester, and into the mainstream consciousness.

The Second Summer of Love is often considered to be the period between 1989 and 1992, when acid house music experienced a massive surge in popularity. This was due in part to the iconic status of the rave party, as well as to the chart success of acid house tracks like “Pump Up The Volume” by M/A/R/R/S and “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” by The Source feat. Candi Staton.

Despite its popularity, acid house was often met with resistance from older generations and from those in positions of authority. In the UK, for example, the government passed laws that made it harder for clubbers to find venues for all-night parties. However, this only served to make acid house more attractive to young people, who saw it as a symbol of rebellion against authority.

The Second Summer of Love came to an end in 1992, when tensions between rival gangs led to several violent incidents at rave parties. However, acid house continued to evolve, incorporating elements from other genres such as jungle and techno. Today, it is still possible to hear echoes of the Second Summer of Love in contemporary dance music.

The legacy

It’s hard to imagine a time when electronic music didn’t exist. In just a few decades, it’s gone from being the only province of nerds and outcasts to being one of the most popular genres in the world. But it all started with a little subgenre called acid house.

The influence of acid house

Acid house music enjoyed a short-lived moment in the mainstream spotlight in the late 1980s. But while it may have burned brightly and briefly, its influence has been long-lasting and profound.

The sound of acid house was defined by its use of the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer, which was originally designed as an accompaniment to a drum machine. The machine’s distinctive squelchy sound became synonymous with Acid house, and the style of music that developed around it was characterized by its hypnotic, repetitive rhythms and trippy, mind-expanding soundscapes.

Acid house was born in the clubs of Chicago in the mid-1980s, but it really took off in the UK when it was discovered by a new generation of clubbers and rave enthusiasts in the late 1980s. The style quickly spread as rave culture went global in the early 1990s, withacid house becoming one of the defining sounds of that era.

While acid house may have faded from the mainstream spotlight, its influence can still be felt in many contemporary styles of electronic music. Its rougher, edgier sound is also credited with helping to pave the way for techno and other more underground styles of dance music.