[laughs] Simple.

crossfadr: When you guys were first recording, did you consciously try to come up with a new sound, a new musical genre?

DJ Pierre: No not really, we were just trying to make something unique and different that also sounded good!

crossfadr: Why did you call your first recording “Acid Trax?”

DJ Pierre: Because the people had named it that. Rumors were all around Chicago about this new track that Ron Hardy was playing wascalled “Acid Trax.” They said the track made you respond as if you were on acid…so the saying goes. So we didn’t re-invent the wheel, we just kept the name.

crossfadr: Was your music at the time influenced by psychedelic drugs?

DJ Pierre: Absolutely not. I’ve never done drugs man. We actually did a track called “Your Only Friend,” but you may know it as “The Cocaine Song.” Basically this menacing voice (Spanky) saying what will happen if you mess with drugs, “I’ll take your life from you” etc. It was a warning and we hoped people took notice. So we were always drug free. All my productions were done from a natural high. Even when I DJ…the people are my high. I get offered all the time but refuse. People are shocked when I say I don’t even drink…at all. But that’s the way God made me. I’ve never gravitated to any mind-altering substance.

crossfadr: Acid house seemed underground in Chicago, but got majorly big in the UK. Were you able to cash in on the success of the genre you helped create?

DJ Pierre: Not at the time that it was very big in Europe because I had NO idea. My label at the time (Trax Records) was underhandedly exporting tons of copies without compensating us. I didn’t make it to the UK until 1991 as a DJ. I found out when a reporter from London came looking for me. So for years they profited but in the end we have the legacy as the creators of this genre and over the years, saw the profits as well. So it all worked out for our benefit. What is for you…is for you. Period.

crossfadr: Why do you think house music is so much bigger in Europe than it is in America?

DJ Pierre: Because the tracks hit the UK top 40 charts back in the late 80’s and they still do. Europe is a different machine. They embrace this music like the US embraces pop, hip-hop, etc.

crossfadr: How many records have you recorded over the years?

DJ Pierre: Definitely more than 100.

crossfadr: What have you been working on lately?

DJ Pierre: I have 4 huge projects coming out. On BNR Records (Boys Noize Records) I have a two-track release coming out titled “Acid” and “Jack The Groove.” That’s out in late February, March. I have another two-track release set to come out before summer on Steve Aoki’s label Dim Mak, called “Strobe Lights, Laser, Disco” and “Let Me See U Dance.” I’m also remaking “We Are Phuture” with Carl Cox on Bush Records. That’s set to come out in March. Lastly I’m doing an original production with Reggae/pop star Sean Paul. That’s set to come out for Summer 2012 as well.

crossfadr: What about live appearances?

DJ Pierre: I’m putting together a live show that will consist of me using drum machines and the 303 with my laptop and a live vocalist or named performer. That will be ready before summer 2012. I’ll be performing the new tracks on BNR, Bush Records, Dim Mak, and also a couple of old favorites.

crossfadr: How do you think acid house has been inspirational to dance music and electronic music as a whole?

DJ Pierre: I think it had a great deal of influence on a lot of the top DJ’s in the world today. Just ask them and they’ll tell you. There would be no trance, no techno. At least not the same. I hear its influence all over. In commercials, in songs. Your article said it best when you wrote LMFAO had it all over their “Sexy” track.

crossfadr: Who are some DJs/producers/artists that inspired you back in the day?

DJ Pierre: Ron Hardy, Lil Louis, Marshall Jefferson, Fingers Inc. to name a few.

crossfadr: What DJs/producers/artists today do you think are doing cool stuff?

DJ Pierre: Afro Jack, Popof, Chris Lake, Boys Noize, Steve Aoki and a few others.

crossfadr: What do you think about the digital DJ movement: Traktor, Serato, DJ controllers, etc.?

DJ Pierre: Well I love the technology. I just want DJs to be real DJs. Don’t use the technology to blend two records. Don’t use the sync button. If you are using the sync button to help you keep a track on beat, then you’re not a real DJ. So I’m open to the technology, I’m endorsing Traktor actually. It’s necessary. But like all things new, they can’t fall into the wrong hands!

crossfadr: So what’s your opinion of the DJ scene at the moment?

DJ Pierre: It’s not about how well you can play, it’s more about how popular or how hot your tracks are. DJs don’t have to know how to DJ well. But with that said I believe that it does make sense if you have hot music out there you should get booked and paid more because of that. But I just want the DJs shows to be hot as well.

crossfadr: What advice would you give to up and coming DJs?

DJ Pierre: Learn and love your craft…and make a hot track!

crossfadr: Today, how can you differentiate acid house from minimal house?

DJ Pierre: I think anything that is totally driven by the acid line should be call acid-whatever.

crossfadr: How would you like to be remembered?

DJ Pierre: As a God-fearing man. A good man, a good husband, father, and son. A good friend and an honest person with good morals and integrity. A giving person. And way down on the list… as one of the inventors of acid house. I haven’t perfected everything on the list but I am working towards it everyday.