UltraViolet Uforia

Artist Information

Biography

From the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and the suburbs of Seattle comes a couple of guys with roots in the soul of music. Coming together to unite a blend of psychedelic and progressive rock, taking it beyond the frontiers of modern music. UltraViolet Uforia or uVu with the help of several talented individuals over the years stands out among the masses as an original melodic rock band, bringing out the best in sound experiences for your mind.

Beginning in a cabin on a mountain pass growing to a full fledged studio and practice space these guys have come a long way. Starting with the original three members one of which would drop out right away they went on to find a drummer and began the odyssey that has made them one of Seattle's best working bands.

With untold realms of musical possibilities UltraViolet Uforia has a wide yellow brick road ahead of them. Gaining fans from all over the world in the progressive and jam communities, uVu is quickly becoming known for their long spacey jams and upbeat psychedelic grooves.

Change is inevitable, after their last show in July of 2009 the band went on hiatus. While several things at the time came together to make that happen after 15 years of constant work on the band it was time for a rest. Now after all that they are back for a Peace Concert show and ready to rock...is this really the end or just a new beginning?

Be on the look out for UltraViolet Uforia to appear at a venue near you or check out their website for lots of free music and videos.

Instrumentation

Michael Canary - Vocals, Percussion, Keyboardist
Steve Webb - Vocals, Rythym Guitar
Scott Jantzen - Drums
Bruce Johnston - Lead Guitar
Steve Holmes - Bass

Discography

uVu 2009 Promo (2009)
Shadow Of The Sun (2006)
2005 Promotional Sampler (2005)
Event Horizon (2003)
Waters Under the Bridge (2001)
Escape Velocity (1999)
Unleashed (1998)

All of these albums or individual songs are available for purchase or for free through the website and CDbaby.com as well as others.

Head Out a track from the new album is currently in airplay on http://www.webradiopugetsound.com/

Links

• Last.fm
• CD Baby
• MySpace
• Gigmasters

Audio

• Vital Signs - uVu 2009 Promo
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• In The Air - uVu 2009 Promo
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• All Of My Life - uVu 2009 Promo
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• Gorge - uVu 2009 Promo
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• Help! - live 6/27/09
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• No Quarter - live 6/27/09
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• Promised Land - live 6/27/09
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• They Love Each Other - live 6/27/09
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• West LA Fadeaway - live 6/27/09
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Lyrics

• Down The Drain

Video

Eyes Of The World

Photo Gallery

Press

• Client Testimonial - 08/07 [+ Show ]
  

  We thouroughly enjoyed ourselves...we had people in the crowd who had been to over 300 Dead shows. W...We thouroughly enjoyed ourselves...we had people in the crowd who had been to over 300 Dead shows. We have not danced like that since Jerry died! Thank you for bringing back the Dead and....thank you for a real GOOD time!!!
  --Mark J.
  Whistler, BC
  8/31/2007

• Press Review for Shadow of the Sun [+ Show ]
  

  What do you get when you cross the trippy, psychedelic jam-band flavor of The Grateful Dead with the...What do you get when you cross the trippy, psychedelic jam-band flavor of The Grateful Dead with the far reaching, adventurous space rock of Pink Floyd or Eloy, and the gritty hard rock of Blue Oyster Cult? Probably something pretty close to Shadow of the Sun, the latest album from UltraViolet Uforia. More rocking and certainly more progressive than your normal run-of-the-mill jam band, UltraViolet really push the boundaries of their keyboards/guitar/bass/drums configuration, as they have produced here a dozen highly melodic songs dripping with virtuoso improvisation, tight rhythms, and bright, catchy hooks.
  
  The spirit of Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead permeate the upbeat opener "Genesis Theory", a song that also contains a fair share of spacey synth work, and "Saving the Light" features some swirling synths and Dire Straits influenced guitar work. "Out Goes the Light" sounds almost like a cross between The Doors and Eloy, with lilting guitar chords, droning vocals, and vintage 70's styled synth passages from Michael Canary. Laid back blues rock is featured on "High Roller", which features some stellar guitar work from both Steven Webb and Simon Connor, as well as tasty electric piano from Canary. Shades of Robin Trower era Procol Harum can be heard on the moody guitar and organ driven "Charity", and pure country rock comes to the forefront on the rootsy "Restless And Lonely". The band returns to progressive space rock on "Down The Drain.....?", a great Pink Floyd influenced number with stabbing guitar solos and dreamy keyboards, and drive home plenty of emotional jam-band styles on the rockin' "Uforia", a real "get down and party" type of song that also contains plenty of hot soloing.
  
  Shadow of the Sun is an all-around fun and varied listen that is sure to turn the jam-band scene upside down. Featuring plenty of ripping instrumental playing and a myriad of different rock flavors, it's a CD that will appeal to any lover of fun and adventurous music.
  
  Reviewer: Pete Pardo

• Press Review for Shadow of the Sun [+ Show ]
  

  Artist: UltraViolet Uforia CD: Shadow of the Sun Home: Sammamish, Washington Style: Psyched...Artist: UltraViolet Uforia
  
  CD: Shadow of the Sun
  
  Home: Sammamish, Washington
  
  Style: Psychedelic
  
  Quote: "Tolstoy postulated that art is beauty that elevates, and that perfectly defines this CD."
  
  By Robb Loving
  
  On a “chill scale” of one to ten, UltraViolet Uforia’s Shadow of the Sun hits freezing at 32.
  
  Yeah, it’s that cool.
  
  Remember Jerry? Remember the way Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms grabbed your soul? Remember how your first Floyd album set you free? UltraViolet Uforia never forgot, and from the first listen I was taken back to a time where my only place in the world was a small bedroom with my headphones and a blacklit Wonderland poster.
  
  With bluesy, psy-trippy melodies and haunted vocals, Shadow of the Sun instantly soothes the savage beast, bringing perspective and calm to a hung-up day. Tolstoy postulated that art is beauty that elevates, and that perfectly defines this CD. It’s mellow, without being slow; serious and thoughtful, without being maudlin. On tracks like “Dog House Days” and "Distant Star," there are seamless pairings of those two most opposite emotions—sadness and joy—that are wrenching in their living, breathing prettiness.
  
  Shadow of the Sun has not left my player in over a week, and I’m sure you will feel the same. Take my advice and check it out.
  
  P.S.—Don’t forget the incense.
  
  
  

• Press Review for Shadow of the Sun [+ Show ]
  

  Hammond and other 70's organ sounds and very very good guitar work help to place UVU's release, Shad...Hammond and other 70's organ sounds and very very good guitar work help to place UVU's release, Shadow of the Sun among one of the better ones in 2006. What is amazing is the way they can sound so faithful to the 70's and to the bands they are usually referenced to yet at the same time sound so credible and fresh. It's the kind of thing where you almost want to say they look forward to the sound of the 70's because their success at what they do should not be dimished by the word backwards.
  You cannot listen through this album without having the Grateful Dead, early Roxy Music, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Neal Young and the Doors pass through your ears. I have given and continue to give this CD plays on my CD player and in my car and this Washington band is one which I hope tours to the midwest because I really would like to hear them live.
  
  Though I have been listening to this album for many months now I have delayed writing this review. In the process I have had the opportunity to read a number of reviews on quite a few web sites. The impression about and the reaction to Shadow of the Sun is very consistent and I realized that as a result, I have little new to add to the discussion. So, instead of remaining silent let me add my voice to the chorus of impressed listeners: Bravo gentlemen and thanks for a really fine album!
  
  DB Silver
  

• Client Testimonial [+ Show ]
  

  UltraViolet Uforia was not only fantastic to work with, they played an awesome set too!!! I would hi...UltraViolet Uforia was not only fantastic to work with, they played an awesome set too!!! I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a group that will provide great music!! Thanks to gigmasters for providing this great service!!! Linda Anderson of The Stadium HS Centennial Celebration Foundation who will soon be registered with the Guiness Book Of World Records for the world's largest HS reunion!!!
  
  -- Linda Anderson
  Tacoma Stadium High School Reunion, Tacoma, Washington

• Press Review for Shadow of the Sun [+ Show ]
  

  Psychedelic music to me has always been a hit and miss. Sometimes it’s so out there that I often won...Psychedelic music to me has always been a hit and miss. Sometimes it’s so out there that I often wonder if the ‘players’ just turn on their instruments and bash at them but then there are times when it’s done so well that there’s actual song structure to the music. UltraViolet Uforia is one of the bands that does it right. Thus making each listen more and more enjoyable. UltraViolet Uforia’s music reminds me of many bands including The Doors, early Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead (of the limited exposure I’ve had) and The Allman Brothers. Modern bands that UltraViolet Uforia could be similar to are Phish, Umphreys’ McGee and The Carpet Knights, Mr. Brown and others on the Swedish label, Transubstans Records.
  If you’re into modern or classic psychedelic spacey music then look no further than UltraViolet Uforia and their 2006 release Shadow of the Sun. I went to their website and there they have several free downloads including covers of songs by Pink Floyd, Nirvana, The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley and The Cure. You can also check out songs from Shadow of the Sun at the band’s page over at myspace.com.
  
  UltraViolet Uforia are, in my opinion a band that bridges the past with the present without sounding dated. In fact I find them quite a refreshing alternative to many of the mainstream’s manufactured bands to ’angry’ music. I would recommend UltraViolet Uforia to the bands mentioned above and to those with an adventurous yet laid-back attitude about music.
  
  Reviewed by Ron Fuchs

• Press Review for Shadow of the Sun [+ Show ]
  

  If you can imagine a Technicolor blend of Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead and some of Bryan Ferry’s solo w...If you can imagine a Technicolor blend of Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead and some of Bryan Ferry’s solo work, you should be able to grasp the sound of Washington state’s UltraViolet Uforia. Throw in a little Widespread Panic, Allman Brothers and Quicksilver Messenger Service and you have a perfect excuse to pull out your lava lamp and that ‘Tye dye’ t-shirt your wife has tried to hide from you! OK, the music on Shadow of the Sun is not that simplistic, but it’s definitely a throw back to the sounds of the late 60’s early 70’s.
  There is some good stuff to be found here. Saving the Light is very reminiscent of Bryan Ferry/ Roxy Music while the Floydian Out Goes the Light (do I detect a concept here?) is a highlight with it’s atmospheric Dark Side of the Moon percussion and eerie keys. My only wish would be for a little more color from the vocals. They are adequate for the material, but at times they can be monotonous. A minor gripe, but something I hope they improve on for the next release.
  
  Eric- Proggnosis

• Taxi review for Down The Drain [+ Show ]
  

  Psychedelic, progressive rock, and even the slightest hint of new age music. Reminds me a little bit...Psychedelic, progressive rock, and even the slightest hint of new age music. Reminds me a little bit of Dark Side era Pink Floyd. Sounds very sincere...

• Client Testimonial [+ Show ]
  

  This band's music was excellent. The bands member went out of their way to provide not only the best...This band's music was excellent. The bands member went out of their way to provide not only the best music, but provide excellent technical information and execution to make our event the best it could be. We had 5 bands and this band aided all other bands technically and professionally to make our event a success. Thank You and Thank UltraViolet Uforia. I would recommend this band to anyone for the technical, professional and musical abilities and efforts.
  
  --Bill Duckworth
  Waitsburg, WA

• New CD review [+ Show ]
  

  uVu's Shadow of the Sun is band's Magnum Opus! Reviewer: Len Jennings Shadow of the Sun is Ult...uVu's Shadow of the Sun is band's Magnum Opus!
  
  Reviewer: Len Jennings
  
  Shadow of the Sun is UltraViolet Uforia's finest collection to date. The production is nothing short of excellent. The musicianship is top-notch. The performances on this record are definitely the highest caliber the band has managed to capture. This record really shows the band's emotive side. But where these recordings really shine is in the song writing. These songs will stick in your brain, even after only one listen. They are chock full of hooks. Just listen to "High Roller" with lyrics like "With an outside chance on inside track / I’ll wager it all and get ten times back / It’s against the odds but I’m never stuck / Every leap in the dark is a stroke of luck." And every song from "Genesis Theory" to "Uforia" is equally well crafted. If you are a fan of The Doors, Pink Floyd or the Grateful Dead you will love this album. UltraViolet Uforia has really found their way to embrace their roots and at the same time find their own sound in the midst of their most ambitious songs. This is truly their “must have” CD. They prove beyond a shadow of a doubt (or is that sun) they are at the top of their game!
  

Setlist

The typical set list usually consists of 80% originals and 20% covers, but varies depending on the event and the requests of the client.
With a base of over 60 originals and well over 100 cover songs uVu is prepared to play from 1-6 hours, breaking that up into 3-4 sets .

From a full 5 piece band to a 2 piece acoustic act - these guys can cover the spectrum.

Here is a sample set list from a past gig:

Set 1:

They Love Each Other - Grateful Dead
In My Life - Beatles
Away From It All - Original
Don't Change - INXS
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
China Cat Sunflower -> - Grateful Dead
I Know You Rider - Grateful Dead

Set 2:

Althea - Grateful Dead
Head Out (On The Road - Original
Franklin's Tower - Grateful Dead
Childhood's End - Pink Floyd
Sunshine - Original
Scarlet Begonias -> - Grateful Dead
Fire On The Mountain - Grateful Dead
Shining Star - Jerry Garcia

Set 3:

Wedding Song - Bob Dylan
Eyes Of The World -> - Grateful Dead
Deep Elum Blues - Grateful Dead
Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
Sugaree - Grateful Dead
On The Edge -> - Original
The Other One -> - Grateful Dead
Embryo - Pink Floyd

Sets generally run 1 hour long or more and they usually like to play for at least 4 hours or so.
They like to promote the original material as much as possible when playing out, but will customize set lists for private events to include more covers such as the list above.

Basic Requirements

Calendar