THE
ULTRAS are a mostly instrumental rock 'n roll
trio from San Francisco formed in 1988 by guitarist Eric "Sludge" Lenchner.
they call their sound "Surf-Pop-Sludge".
In
their early days, the Ultras played the "new lounge" supper clubs in San
Francisco utilizing their diverse musical palette of Surf, Rockabilly,
Salsa, Pop, Blues, Country, Jazz, and Psychedelic styles. This was
a low volume sound with the instrumentation of electric guitar, acoustic
"string" bass, and brushed drums.
In the 1990's as the Ultras began
to play more and more original music (at a more electrified volume), they
moved from the lounges to the original music showcase clubs of San Francisco
and Northern California. the Ultras toured the West Coast several
times and shared the bill numerous times with surf music legend Dick Dale.
1993
saw the release of the the Ultras CD, SURF-POP-SLUDGE. Produced by
Scott Mathews, the man responsible for the Dick Dale "comeback" CD's on
Hightone, "Surf-Pop-Sludge" was a college radio hit, going Top Ten on numerous
stations throughout the U.S.
In 1995 the Ultras stopped played
live shows due to guitarist Lenchner's hearing damage. They have
continued to record, and their latest projects are "Rocket Jockey" (CD
ROM video game), "Attack of the New Killer Surf Guitars" (compilation
featuring Ultras' track "THE ULTRA FACTOR"), and "Just Write" (feature
film starring Sherilyn Fenn - soundtrack features "STEEL TWIST" by The
Ultras.
Who
are The Ultras?
Eric
Lenchner "SLUDGE"
- electric guitar; vocals
Hailing
from Long Island, New York, Sludge's first band in junior high school
in 1966 was called The Ultras. In San Francisco, Sludge first
made his mark as part of the punk-new wave outfit The Readymades (1977-1979)
and later as part of nouvelle-lounge swingers The Dinos in the latter
1980's.
30-plus
years of playing in bands has left Sludge with hearing damage.
He suffers from hyperacusis (over sensitivity to sound), tinnitus (ringing
in the ears), and hearing loss. He presently is a full-time guitar
teacher, running the Professor Sludge Guitar Academy in San Francisco.
The
Sludge Academy is affiliated with H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education
and Awareness for Rockers) www.hearnet.net
Trey
Sabatelli "TREY KING
KOOL" - drums; vocals
Originally
from New York City, Trey King Kool has played with some of the top groups
in rock (Jefferson Starship, The Tubes, Vince Welnick and Missing Man Formation)
since relocating to the Bay Area. Kool's amazing fluidity on the
drum kit, stylistic versatility and dynamic showmanship have earned him
a growing reputation and following among musicians and fans alike
Bing
Nathan "STRING BING"
- acoustic and electric bass
Originally
from Illinois, String Bing has been a fixture on the Bay Area music scene
since performing at the Fillmore Auditorium in 1968. He now performs
regularly with swing - jazz act Lavay Smith and the Red-Hot Skillet Lickers
(a 1997 Bammie Award winner).
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INFO-ULTRA-MATION (415) 239-5390
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