Ultra Vivid Scene
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| Ultra Vivid Scene | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York, United States |
| Genre(s) | Indie rock |
| Years active | 1987-1993 |
| Label(s) | 4AD, Columbia |
| Associated acts | Nothing But Happiness, Crash |
| Former members | |
| Kurt Ralske (vocals, guitars, etc.) Kristan Kramer (bass) Melora Creager (cello, vocals) Byron Guthrie (drums) Colin Rae (rhythm guitar) Ann Hollis (bass) Jack Daley (bass) Julian Klepacz (drums) |
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Ultra Vivid Scene was an alternative rock band started by Kurt Ralske.
Born in 1967 in New York, former Nothing But Happiness and Crash guitarist Ralske started Ultra Vivid Scene in 1987, was signed to 4AD Records in 1988, and released his first UVS EP, She Screamed, in 1988. The debut album Ultra Vivid Scene CAD809 released October 1988, was written, produced and performed entirely by Ralske, whose influences include The Velvet Underground and The Jesus and Mary Chain.[1] The second album, Joy 1967-1990, was released in April 1990.
The last album, Rev, was released in October 1992, and was performed by a band comprising Julius Klepacz (drums) and Jack Daley (bass) with Ralske on vocals and guitar. This album was picked up by the Chaos imprint of Columbia Records (Sony Music Distribution) during the time rival Warner Bros. was having some success with its imprints' 4AD relationships (4AD/Sire, 4AD/Elektra, 4AD/Reprise). However, the relationship was short-lived, and Ultra Vivid Scene was dropped from the Chaos/Columbia record label during the middle of its only supporting tour. In the mid-1990s, former 4AD designer and art director Vaughan Oliver is said to have commented to British critic Ian McKay that the failure of Ultra Vivid Scene to gain a foothold was the result of Kurt Ralske being "so ahead of his time."
Ralske has gone on to do solo work, and has also produced albums for such artists as Rasputina, Ivy and Charles Douglas. He currently resides in New York City and is focused on a merging of video visual art and sound.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||||
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK | UK Indie Chart[2] | |||
| 1988 | "She Screamed" | - | - | - | - | #14 | Ultra Vivid Scene |
| 1989 | "Slow You Down" | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 1989 | "Mercy Seat" | - | - | - | - | #13 | Ultra Vivid Scene |
| 1989 | "Something To Eat" (promo) | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 1990 | "Staring at the Sun" | - | #25 | - | - | - | Joy 1967-1990 |
| 1990 | "It Happens Every Time" | - | #19 | - | - | - | Joy 1967-1990 |
| 1990 | "Special One" featuring "Kim Deal" | - | #14 | - | - | - | Joy 1967-1990 |
| 1993 | "Blood and Thunder" | - | #27 | - | - | - | Rev |
[edit] Albums
- Ultra Vivid Scene (1989) 4AD/Columbia (UK Indie #10)
- Joy 1967-1990 (1990) 4AD/Columbia
- Rev (1992) 4AD/Columbia
[edit] References
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
- ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.
