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Much of the basis behind the current state of DJing and electronic dance music came from the first generations of raves. Starting with a Roland TB-303 in Chicago, growing to undergrounds in the UK, and creating all manner of subgenres along the way, the story of the rave scene and the DJs who built it is fascinating. Check out the full story inside, including an exclusive interview with the father of acid house, DJ Pierre.

Raves began as an underground movement, where a group of like-minded people would get together and dance (in an enhanced state of consciousness) to all types of electronic music. Raves created a magical environment where people could dance for hours. Rave was foundedon groundbreaking electronica and innovative DJs, but the scene encompassed more than just that. Laser lights, fashion and open-minded attitudes helped to build and spread the scene. It was only natural that a movement so magical would grow to epic proportions.

Rave:An all-nightdancepartyfilled with electronic dance music (techno,trance,drum and bass)

The Roland TB-303

Chicago in the mid-to-late 1980s was the birth place of house music. After years of jacking a new sound emerged: acid house. The sound of acid house was created on the Roland TB-303, a bass line generator. The machine could sculpt sounds using an array of buttons and switches. The company only produced 20,000 units and by 1985 could be found in second-hand shops for bargain prices. The young Nathan Jones (DJ Pierre) found one and used the 303 in an unconventional way to produce the squelchy sound of acid house.

This new sound began witha record produced by Phuture, a group founded by DJ Pierre, Earl Spanky Smith Jr., and Herbert Herb J Jackson. Newly turned on to the unique sounds of the TB-303, the trio released a demo of Acid Tracks.

DJ Ron Hardy played the track at the famous Chicago club Music Box; he reportedly once played it four times during a set before the crowd responded favorably. After numerous spins, it became a dance floor sensation.Acid Tracks became the defining sound for the new acid house sound coming out of Chicago.

Our exclusive quick interview with DJ Pierre:

Where did you find the TB-303 that you produced Acid Tracks on? What inspired you to create the legendary acid house sound?

DJ Pierre: It found us!This machine had been around for years [...] before we got to it no one actually tweaked the knobs and used it the way we did. It was created to simulate a bass guitar. It was not created to do what it did when we got a hold of it. I was at my homie Jasper Gs house and I heard a bass line and I wanted to know what machine he used to make the bassline. I loved the texture of it. I was excited when I heard it.

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History of the Rave Scene: How DJs Built Modern Dance Music ...