By: Richard Graves aka DJ Black Adam of House 17, NFP
Acid House, what is it really? It has been reported by some in media that “Acid House” was a form of partying and dancing that was based on the use of “Acid” drugs while listening to “Acid” music. Luke Bainbridge wrote in an article for the Guardian.com that: “In the mid-80s, the UK embraced acid house, together with the new drug, ecstasy, with gusto. A new scene grew up around it that changed the social and cultural habits of a generation.”[1] While there is no denying that in the UK this “Acid” movement was a precursor to the “rave” scene; the music, Acid House is quite a different matter.
“Acid House” is a sub-genre of Chicago House Music developed in the mid 1980’s utilizing the modulated baseline sounds of the Roland TB 303. The name “Acid” simply referred to the sound of the 303, however as the music travelled to Europe the term was synonymously used with the drug culture developing there. There were two song’s released in Chicago that utilized the 303 in this “Acid” format, one was Sleazy D’s “I’ve Lost Control” (1986, Trax Records, Sleazy D and Virgo)[2] and the Instrumental on the EP “We’re Rocking Down the House” by Adonis (1986, Trax Records, Adonis).[3] However; the song that properly started the subgenre was by a group named “Phuture” promptly titled “The Acid Trax” (1987, Trax Records, Phuture, TX142.)[4] This EP by Phuture is what established the name of the sub genre and set the standard from which other Chicago DJ’s and producers would use going forward in making “Acid House” compositions. The group Phuture consisted of Nathan "DJ Pierre" Jones, Earl "Spanky" Smith Jr., and Herbert "Herb J" Jackson, and later worked together and individually creating many other hits.
DJ Pierre had other notable “Acid” releases that moved from the minimalistic sound of a mere track and were complete songs. Under the name Pierre's Pfantasy Club Featuring J.R. DJ Pierre released the song “Fantasy Girl” (1987, SRO Records, Pierre's Pfantasy Club Featuring J.R., 750487)[5] having complete vocals and additional instrumentation was a notable hit. Yet there were still incredible instrumental compositions being done in this genre.
Local legendary Chicago DJ Armando scored a hit that would become a staple in Chicago hot mixes, titled: “Land of Confusion” (1987, Westbrook Records, Armando, AG-WB 4).[6] From this point many Chicago songs incorporated the Acid sound and many more incorporated the atmosphere that these compositions created. The sound was hypnotic yet underground and throbbing, a mixture or primal and electronic, the modulating sound of the 303 creating an atmosphere that moved the crowd alone, without drugs. Songs by Lil Louis, Mr. Fingers (Larry Heard), Mayday (Derrick May) and others would capture this essence sometimes using the 303 or other instruments that created a similar ambiance. The capstone of this sound during the Chicago House Music era (1985 -1989) were two releases, “Acid Over” by Tyree Cooper (1987, Underground Records, Tyree Cooper, Peter Black, UN 116 )[7] shortly followed by “Acid Thunder” by Fast Eddie (1988, DJ International, Fast Eddie, Joe Smooth, Peter Black, DJ 961).[8]
After the decline of Chicago House Music, the music carried over to New York and overseas, particularly in the UK in London and Manchester. One of the most notable releases utilizing the Chicago format for the genre was “Dream 17” by Annette (1988, Deconstruction, A Guy Called Gerald and Mike Pickering, PT 42562),[9], though the Chicago era was declining the sub genre of Acid House was emulated by groups such as 808 State, with and without the use of the 303.
[1] Luke Bainbridge, “Acid house and the dawn of a rave new world” The Guardian.com, February 22, 2014, accessed March 27, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/23/acid-house-dawn-rave-new-world
[2] “Sleezy D. – I've Lost Control” Discogs,, accessed March 27, 2015, http://www.discogs.com/Sleezy-D-Ive-Lost-Control/release/2237
[3] “Adonis – W.R.D.T. House” Discogs, accessed March 27, 2015, http://www.discogs.com/Adonis-Were-Rocking-Down-The-House/master/6758
[4] “Phuture. – Acid Trax” Discogs,, accessed March 27, 2015, http://www.discogs.com/Phuture-Acid-Tracks/master/5108
[5] “Pierre’s Pfantasy Club feat. JR – Fantasy Girls” Discogs,, accessed March 27, 2015, http://www.discogs.com/Pierres-Pfantasy-Club-Featuring-JR-Fantasy-Girl/master/40530
[6] “Armando – Land of Confusion” Discogs,, accessed March 27, 2015, http://www.discogs.com/Armando-Land-Of-Confusion/master/83617
[7] “Acid Over – Tyree Cooper” Discogs, accessed March 27, 2015, http://www.discogs.com/Tyree-Acid-Over/master/21719
[8] “Acid Thunder – Fast Eddie” Discogs, accessed March 27, 2015, http://www.discogs.com/Fast-Eddie-Acid-Thunder/master/91855
[9] “Dream 17 – Annette” Discogs, accessed March 27, 2015, http://www.discogs.com/Annette-Dream-17/master/176219
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