For "acid rock" as a geologic term, see Igneous rock. Igneous rocks (etymology from Latin ignis, fire are rocks formed by solidification of cooled Magma (molten rock

Acid rock is a form of psychedelic rock, which is characterized with long instrumental solos, few (if any) lyrics and musical improvisation. The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells Space rock is a subgenre of Rock music; the term originally referred to a group of early mostly British 1970s Progressive rock and psychedelic The San Francisco Sound refers to rock music performed live and recorded by San Francisco -based rock groups of the mid 1960s to early 1970s Psychedelic rock is a style of Rock music that attempts to replicate the mind-altering experiences of hallucinogenic drugs. Musical Improvisation is the creative activity of immediate Musical composition, which combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental Tom Wolfe describes the LSD-influenced music of the The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, New Riders of the Purple Sage and the Grateful Dead as "acid rock" in his book about Ken Kesey and the Acid Tests, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Thomas Kennerly Wolfe Jr (born March 2, 1931 in Richmond, Virginia) known as Tom Wolfe, is a Best-selling The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band from San Francisco, a pioneer of the Psychedelic rock movement New Riders of the Purple Sage is an American Country rock band The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kenneth Elton Kesey ( September 17, 1935 &ndash November 10, 2001) was an American Author, best known for his major novels The Acid Tests were a series of Psychedelic parties held by Ken Kesey in the San Francisco Bay Area during the early 1960's centered entirely around the The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test is a work of Literary journalism by Tom Wolfe, published in 1968 ^[1]

"Acid rock" also refers to the subset of psychedelic rock bands that were part of, or were influenced by, the San Francisco Sound, and which played loud, "heavy" music featuring long improvised solos. The San Francisco Sound refers to rock music performed live and recorded by San Francisco -based rock groups of the mid 1960s to early 1970s ^[2]

History and use of the term

Acid rock got its name (which is a slang term for LSD) because it served as a "background" music for acid trips in underground parties in the 1960s (e. g. the Merry Pranksters' "Acid Tests"). The Merry Pranksters are a group of people who originally formed around American Author Ken Kesey in 1964 and sometimes lived communally at his

The term was much used in its heyday of the late 1960s and early 1970s, but has fallen into disuse except for putting this music into its historical perspective.

When hard rock and heavy metal became prominent in the late 1970s, the phrase "acid rock" was sometimes generically and erroneously applied to these genres. Hard rock (also referred to as heavy rock) is a variation of Rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage and Psychedelic rock This use of the term was often negative in nature, and was generally attributed the heaviest forms of rock; often perceived as abrasive or un-listenable to the individual using the phrase. Over time, the common use of the term "heavy metal" replaced "acid rock" for these styles of music.

Genre description

Historically and more accurately, the term refers to the relationship between music and LSD, commonly called "acid". "Acid rock" can connote music recorded under the influence of LSD, or intended to be experienced in conjunction with LSD. These associations can be a matter of the musician's intention, the listener's intention, or even just a general perception on the part of the person using the term. Often the lyrics deal with drug-induced psychological themes as well as references to mind-altering techniques.

Characterized by an off-beat style, vivid imagery, and sometimes strange sound/musical effects (e. g. backward recorded music), acid rock often settles into a hypnotic groove wherein a listener (and possibly even the band) can "get lost" within a song. Backmasking (also known as Backward masking) is a recording technique in which a sound or message is recorded backward onto a track that is meant to be

Acid rock is characterized by long solos and its influence from Indian Ragas and the use of Wah-Wah pedals. Acid rock was influenced by Chicago blues and the use of a strange fuzz tone with melodies appearing in unexpected places.

References