Born in 1964 in New York, Kurt Ralske started Ultra Vivid Scene in 1987, was signed to 4AD in 1988, and released his first EP, She Screamed, in 1988. The debut album, Ultra Vivid Scene, was written, produced and performed entirely by Ralske, whose influences include Jesus & Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine. Moby was a member of the band during this period. The second album, Joy 1967-1990, was released in 1990. A single taken from the second album, Special One, featured Kim Deal on backing vocals.