Acid techno: from the squelching 303 to London's squats

A quick reminder

In the lesson about Roland's machines you met the TB-303: a failed "bass player" for guitarists that squeals and bubbles when you turn the filter and resonance knobs. Chicago's Phuture turned it into "Acid Tracks" and acid house was born. In the late 1980s acid crossed to Britain and became the soundtrack of the 1988 Summer of Love.

Faster and harder

In the early 1990s producers began combining the 303 with harder, faster techno. Frenchman Emmanuel Top released "Acid Phase" in 1994, where a 303 line slowly opens and tightens for minutes on end. A year later American Josh Wink made "Higher State of Consciousness", which went from underground parties into the UK top ten. Acid proved that one instrument and one filter knob can hold tension for a whole track.

London: squats and free parties

In 1990s London many people lived in occupied, abandoned buildings known as squats. Parties happened there too, with no tickets or security but with their own sound systems. In 1992 travelling sound systems, including Spiral Tribe, staged a festival on Castlemorton Common, considered the largest free party in UK history. The authorities responded with tougher laws, which gets its own lesson.

Stay Up Forever

DJs Chris, Julian and Aaron, known as The Liberators, had been throwing squat parties since 1991. In 1993 they founded the Stay Up Forever label to release music from that scene. The sound was simple: a fast kick, a distorted 303 and no compromises. Chris Liberator became the face of London acid techno and still plays today.

Acid today

Acid never really disappeared; it comes back in waves. Roland and other manufacturers released new versions and cheap clones of the TB-303, so the sound is available to everyone. On 3 March fans celebrate an unofficial 303 Day. Even hypnotic techno master Donato Dozzy released "Filo Loves the Acid" on Berlin's Tresor in 2018, an album full of 303 lines. Our Studio has an acid track: switch on steps, add accent and slide, then turn the filter.