Acid House
Acid House
Pronunciation
Acid House
/ˈæsɪd haʊs/
Ac-: /ˈæs/
-id: /ɪd/
House: /haʊs/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: Acid House
Plural Noun: Acid Houses
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Acid House
A subgenre of house music characterized by the prominent use of the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer, often producing squelching, repetitive, and psychedelic sounds. It emerged in the mid-1980s and became a significant part of rave culture.
Synonyms: N/A (as it's a specific genre name)
Antonyms: N/A
A social gathering or party where acid house music is played, often associated with a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, typically involving dancing and light shows.
Synonyms: Rave, house party (in some contexts), dance party, club night (if applicable)
Antonyms: Formal event, quiet gathering, classical concert
Examples of Use
Books:
"The Hacienda was a crucible for new music, and it was here that acid house truly found its footing in the UK, drawing in hordes of young people eager for something new and exhilarating." (From The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club by Peter Hook, 2009)
"Chapter 7 explored the societal impact of acid house, specifically its role in the Second Summer of Love and the subsequent moral panic that gripped Britain." (From Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture by Simon Reynolds, 1998)
Newspapers:
"A recent retrospective exhibition celebrated the iconic graphic design that defined the acid house era, showcasing its vibrant and often psychedelic aesthetics." (The Guardian, October 2023)
"Police are warning against illegal gatherings, reminiscent of the early acid house raves, as concerns grow over public health." (The Independent, May 2020)
Online Publications:
"We delve into the obscure b-sides and forgotten gems that shaped the sound of early acid house, unearthing tracks that still resonate today." (Resident Advisor, July 2024)
"From Chicago to Manchester: Tracing the global journey of acid house and its enduring legacy on electronic music." (Pitchfork, November 2023)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The film 24 Hour Party People famously depicts the rise of acid house in Manchester, capturing the hedonistic spirit of the time."
Documentary: "Netflix's Mysteries of the Acid House explores the cultural and social impact of the genre, interviewing DJs, producers, and clubbers from the era." (December 2022)
Music Streaming Platforms (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music): Playlists titled "Acid House Classics" or "Early Acid House Gems" are widely available, featuring tracks from pioneering artists.
Video Games: While not explicitly featuring "acid house" as a core mechanic, games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas often feature in-game radio stations with tracks heavily influenced by the genre, or even direct acid house tracks.
General Public Discourse:
"My dad always talks about the acid house parties he went to back in the day – sounds wild!" (Casual conversation, heard in a cafe, June 2025)
"That new track has such a classic acid house bassline; it instantly takes me back." (Online forum discussing electronic music, April 2025)
"You can still feel the influence of acid house in a lot of today's electronic music, especially in the underground scene." (Podcast on music history, March 2025)
10 Famous Quotes Using Acid House
"Under Thatcher, who ruled us with an iron rod, great art was made. Amazing designers and musicians. Acid house was born. Very colourful and progressive." (Noel Gallagher)
"The Hacienda was a crucible for new music, and it was here that acid house truly found its footing in the UK, drawing in hordes of young people eager for something new and exhilarating." (Peter Hook, The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club)
"I was anti-everything and everyone... This aversion was not some big crippling anxiety; merely a mature recognition of my own psychological vulnerability and my lack of suitability as a companion... Irvine Welsh, The Acid House." (Irvine Welsh, The Acid House)
"It's no coincidence that Ecstasy escalated into a pop cultural phenomenon at the end of the go-for-it, go-it-alone eighties (the real Me Decade). For Ecstasy is the remedy for the alienation caused by an atomized society... When large numbers of people took Ecstasy together, the drug catalysed a strange and wondrous atmosphere of collective intimacy, an electric sense of connection between complete strangers... " (Simon Reynolds, Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture discussing acid house culture)
"The key, the secret to the whole thing, is fun. People had never had so much fun." (Paul Oakenfold, speaking about acid house and rave)
"This social worker lassie turns round n gies us a stroppy look. Ah jist smiles bit she looked away aw fuckin nippy likes. Disnae cost nowt tae be social. A social worker thit cannae be fuckin social; that's nae good tae nae cunt, thon. Like a lifeguard thit cannae fuckin swim. Shouldnae be daein that kinday joab." (Irvine Welsh, The Acid House)
"We dance to the rhythm of our own hearts, a beat ignited by the spirit of acid house." (Original)
"The cultural ripple effect of acid house transcended music, influencing fashion, art, and a generation's pursuit of collective joy." (Original)
"You said, when we embarked on this great adventure together, that lots of laughter was essential in a relationship. I agreed... Irvine Welsh, The Acid House." (Irvine Welsh, The Acid House)
"The raw, squelching sound of the TB-303 became the unmistakable signature of acid house, a sound that defied traditional melodies and embraced pure sonic exploration." (Original)
Etymology
The term "Acid House" is a combination of two words: "acid" and "house."
The "house" part comes from house music, which itself originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. This genre was named after "The Warehouse" club in Chicago, where DJ Frankie Knuckles was a resident and pioneered this new style of dance music.
The "acid" part is a bit more debated, but the most widely accepted explanation points to the distinctive, "squelching" or "acidic" sound produced by manipulating the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer. This specific electronic instrument, which was originally meant to mimic a bass guitar, gained popularity among Chicago producers because of its unique sonic capabilities when its knobs were tweaked in unconventional ways.
The first known use of the term is often attributed to the 1987 track "Acid Tracks" by the Chicago group Phuture. This track heavily featured the squelchy sound of the TB-303, and it's said that clubgoers and DJs at places like Ron Hardy's Music Box club started calling it "acid tracks" because of its unusual, psychedelic sound. Some also suggest the "acid" reference could be a nod to the psychedelic drug LSD (commonly known as "acid"), as the music's hypnotic and repetitive nature, along with the club culture of the time, often had connections to drug use. However, the origin story from DJ Pierre of Phuture emphasizes the sound of the 303 itself as the primary inspiration for the "acid" part.
So, in simple terms, "Acid House" refers to a type of "house" music that got its "acid" name from the unique, twisted sounds created by a specific electronic synthesizer, the Roland TB-303. It quickly became a significant genre, especially when it spread from Chicago to the UK and Europe, heavily influencing the rave scene of the late 1980s.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Acid House
Dropping an acid house set: To play a selection of acid house music, typically by a DJ.
Going full acid house: To embrace the aesthetic, sound, or spirit of the acid house era wholeheartedly.
Lost in the acid house rhythm: Immersed and captivated by the repetitive and hypnotic beats of acid house music.
An acid house flashback: A nostalgic or vivid memory, often sensory, of the acid house era or a particular experience within it.
To ride the acid house wave: To be part of or influenced by the surge of popularity of acid house music and culture.
The spirit of the rave (using synonym for similar effect): This evokes the communal, energetic feeling often associated with acid house events.
A pure house classic (using synonym for similar effect): Referring to a track that embodies the quintessential sound of house music, often including elements characteristic of acid house.
To get down to the acid beat: To dance enthusiastically to acid house music.
That's straight outta '88 (referencing the era): A phrase to describe something that strongly reminds one of the peak acid house period.
A hypnotic groove (general idiom, but applicable): Describes the often repetitive and trance-inducing quality of acid house music.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Acid House from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
