Personnel: Chris Schneider, vocals; Bob Wall, bass; Michael Allen, guitar; Rodney Shelden Fehsenfeld, guitar; Angelo Van Cheri, drums.
Formed: 1985, on the North Side.
Current lineup together since: Early 1989.
Sound: Schneider calls it ”an eclectic brand of dark, dreamy rock, a postindustrial type of sound.”
Influences: Schneider cites James Brown, Stax soul acts of the late 1960s (such as Sam & Dave) and blues psychedelia (such as Jimi Hendrix and Cream). Other band members` tastes range from blues to alternative European groups like the Cocteau Twins.
In-concert cover versions: None, though Scheider says that for a late encore on a crazy night, ”we have thrown things out there that we`ve never played before”-such as Crazy Elephant`s ”Gimme Gimme Good Lovin`.”
Namesake: ”The name of the band I think comes from a certain spirituality that we all feel, and it has to do with things that are real but can`t be seen,” Schneider says, citing the ”threads that lie underneath this world that we live in. The Ultraviolet is that unseen mysterious force.”
Turf: The band plays mostly in North Side clubs such as the Avalon, Union and Cabaret Metro.
Recordings: A four-song EP called ”Renaissance Junkyard” was recorded in April 1989 and released on Pyramid in Europe. The band recorded a six-song tape last fall and, Schneider says, is close to putting together a major-label album deal.
Philosophy: ”To us the whole nature of music is nothing but communication, and if we`re not communicating effectively then there`s no sense in doing this business,” Schneider says, stressing that the band avoids putting itself on a pedestal. ”To us it`s more important to be on equal footing and share equal experiences.”
Goals: ”To have a major-label release out on the streets before September and to do a tour supporting that,” Schneider says. ”And to communicate and reach as many people in this wonderful world as we possibly can.”
Next appearance: The Bridge, Saturday.
