Ultra Vivid Scene
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Kurt Ralske |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
| Parent | 4AD Records, Columbia Records |
Ultra Vivid Scene was an American band within the alternative rock genre, created by musician Kurt Ralske.
Background
In 1986, Kurt Ralske, previously a member of Nothing But Happiness and Crash, initiated Ultra Vivid Scene. That year, the group issued the 7" single "Slow You Down / Totally Free" through Justine Records. By 1988, they had signed with 4AD Records, releasing the EP She Screamed. The self-titled debut album Ultra Vivid Scene, launched in October 1988, was solely composed, produced, and performed by Ralske, drawing inspiration from The Velvet Underground and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Their sophomore album, Joy 1967-1990, was released in April 1990, coinciding with their initial tour dates in the United Kingdom.
The third and final album, Rev (October 1992), featured Julius Klepacz on drums and Jack Daley on bass, alongside Ralske handling vocals and guitar. This record was distributed through the Chaos imprint under Columbia Records (Sony Music Distribution), during a time when competitor Warner Bros. capitalized on its affiliations with 4AD’s labels.
Touring activities were relatively sparse: a handful of US shows in 1989 promoting the debut; a month-long European tour plus two months in the US supporting the second album; and a single-month US tour in 1993 following the third release.
Following Ultra Vivid Scene's conclusion, Ralske embarked on a solo career and took on production roles for artists such as Rasputina, Ivy, and Charles Douglas. His most recent known musical project was the 2001 solo album Amor 0 + 01. Since then, he has concentrated primarily on visual arts.
Videos
The video for "Mercy Seat" includes a young Moby playing guitar during the band’s active years. The 1990 video for Special One featured guest vocals by Kim Deal of Pixies.
Singles
| Year | Title | US Hot 100 | US Alt | US Mainstream Rock | UK | UK Indie | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "Slow You Down" | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 1988 | "She Screamed" | – | – | – | – | 14 | Ultra Vivid Scene |
| 1989 | "Mercy Seat" | – | – | – | – | 13 | |
| "Something to Eat" (promo) | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1990 | "Staring at the Sun" | – | 25 | – | 97 | – | Joy 1967–1990 |
| "It Happens Every Time" | – | 19 | – | – | – | ||
| "Special One" featuring Kim Deal | – | 14 | – | – | – | ||
| 1993 | "Blood and Thunder" | – | 27 | – | – | – | Rev |
Albums
- Ultra Vivid Scene (1988) 4AD/Columbia (UK Indie #10)
- Joy 1967-1990 (1990) 4AD/Columbia
- Rev (1992) 4AD/Columbia