An album that came along just at the right time for me was “Joy 1967-1990” by the completely forgotten band Ultra Vivid Scene. The single Special One got a lot of play on 106.3 and has a sound that just screams sophomore year in high school (Kim Deal singing backup might have something to do with it.)
But the real Proustian rush comes hearing Kind of a Drag a B-Side that was on the EP that I took out of the local library, dubbed onto an unmarked cassette and haven’t heard in fifteen years. At the time, I thought this track dark & edgy and it just fuckin’ blew my mind that it sampled John Bonham’s “When The Levee Breaks” drum riff. Today, it just sounds like another misguided 90s Jesus Jones song. But you tell me.
Ah, Ultra Vivid Scene- a favorite of mine way back in the day- wayyyy back Mr Peabody…I can’t believe that anyone would even release this! I remember that my friends and I met Mr.UltraVivid whatever the hell his real name was long long ago at the old Ritz and he was mighty genuine and friendly to us. What band were we seeing? I think it was The Pixies and The Happy Mondays or something but maybe it was something else…High School has become one big blur. I do recall that we later were refused drinks at King Tut’s WahhWahh Hut on Tompkins Square and wound up crashing a party by some heavy metal people that we didn’t know on Avenue A just to get some beer. Who can refuse a pack of 15 year old girls? I must get a copy of this and see if it’s any good or downright awful…I remember at the time it was magical.
PS- Do you think the name inspired “Assume Vivid Astral Focus”? Hmmm…..