Ugly Kid Joe

Music Home >> Music Genres >> Metal Music



< < < < < > > > > > More Info on Ugly Kid Joe Similar Metal Music Search Artistopia

Biography

Ugly Kid Joe is an United States|American rock music|rock band from Isla Vista, California|Isla Vista , California . The band's name spoofs that of another band, Pretty Boy Floyd (American band)|Pretty Boy Floyd . Ugly Kid Joe's sound includes a range of styles, including hard rock , funk metal and heavy metal music|heavy metal .

After releasing an EP, three full-length albums, and touring extensively throughout the 1990s, Ugly Kid Joe disbanded in 1997, and reformed in mid-2010. - Ugly Kid Joe They are going on tour and will release an Extended play|EP sometime in 2012.

History

Early history (1990–1991)

Childhood friends Whitfield Crane and Klaus Eichstadt took an interest in music while growing up in Palo Alto, CA. In 1990 Eichstadt joined Crane's band in Isla Vista, CA. after the two recorded a demo with another Palo Alto native, record producer Eric Valentine . After several band member changes the ' As Ugly as They Wanna Be ' line-up was formed consisting of Crane, Eichstadt, Mark Davis, Roger Lahr, and Cordell Crockett.

The band got its name 'Ugly Kid Joe' as a parody of L.A. glam band Pretty Boy Floyd but only for a one night show in Santa Barbara with guests Pretty Boy Floyd. Pretty Boy Floyd would pull out of the show and have the gig cancelled, but the band decided to keep the name 'Ugly Kid Joe'.

The band became popular in the early 1990s, mixing satirical humor and Heavy metal music|heavy metal . Its logo was a cartoon embodiment of an "ugly kid" wearing a backwards baseball hat and giving the finger . Heavily influenced by Black Sabbath , Ugly Kid Joe covered several of the veteran band's songs, including " Sweet Leaf " and " N.I.B. " The group toured the United States several times, making its second tour in support of Scatterbrain (band)|Scatterbrain , and later opening for former Black Sabbath lead vocalist Ozzy Osbourne .

The band released the E.P. "As Ugly As They Wanna Be" in October of 1991, garnering success in 1992 with the single " Everything About You (Ugly Kid Joe song)|Everything About You ", which peaked at #3 in the UK Singles Chart and made it into the Billboard Top 10. Later in the year the song was used in the movie '' Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World . "As Ugly As They Wanna Be" went on to sell over 1,000,000 copies in the U.S. alone becoming the highest selling debut E.P. of all time.

Commercial success (1992–1996)

The band spent 2 months in the studio to record America's Least Wanted . During the process, Roger Lahr left the band due to musical differences and was eventually replaced by Sugartooth guitarist Dave Fortman in April 1992. Rob Halford of Judas Priest was a guest vocalist on the song "Goddamn Devil". The band sped up the recording process for their album in order to get a spot as a supporting act for Ozzy Osbourne 's 'No More Tears' tour. The band eventually landed a spot for the tour, only to have Crane to fly back to L.A. several times to finish edits on the album. The album became finished, with exception of the album cover since several record chains felt it would pose a total offense to American conservatives due to the cover's graphic content of the 'Ugly Kid' posing as the Statue of Liberty holding up the middle finger and holding a porno magazine in his hand instead of the hallowed Declaration. The band decided to have an alternative cover made with the band's mascot chained and gagged showing it is the 'cleaned version' of the album.

America's Least Wanted appeared on the U.S. charts at #27 having sold over 600,000 units upon release and was considered a favorite among fans and critics. One critic praised the album as, "A rock record you can play all day." The album achieved Gold status in both Canada and Australia, Silver status in the United Kingdom, and went Platinum in the U.S.A. A cover of Harry Chapin’s "Cat's in the Cradle" was subsequently released as a well-received single that sold over 500,000 copies in the United States alone and peaked at #7 in the UK Singles Chart.

The band later on went on tour to open up for Ozzy Osbourne and later for Def Leppard for their European leg of the tour which was sold-out in 6 weeks. The band also made a stop at the 1992 MTV Video Music Award s. The band also spent 3 weeks playing sold-out shows in Australia and Japan. Ugly Kid Joe became the Reader's Choice for Best New Artist voted by Metal Edge and Raw magazine (rock)|Raw magazine.

They also presented The Favorite Heavy Metal band award to Metallica at the American Music Award s in 1993. The band would also get nominated for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist but lost to Pearl Jam .

After their tour in support of their 1992 album '' America's Least Wanted '', the band searched around for a replacement drummer, as Mark Davis left to pursue a life away from the spotlight. The band tried out for new drummers, such as Bob Fernandez who only appeared on a cover of Black Sabbath's N.I.B. for the Nativity in Black Black Sabbath tribute album. He also showed up in Brazil with the band at the Hollywood Rock festival in 1994 as headliners along with Aerosmith , Poison (band)|Poison , among others. After attending a Souls at Zero (band)|Souls at Zero show in Colorado, Crane became immediately impressed with the band's drummer, Shannon Larkin . Crane later called up Larkin to join Ugly Kid Joe to which Larkin agreed. The band then wrote some new song material with Larkin and embarked on a short tour titled the 'Excuse To Go Snowboarding Tour' with guests Dog Eat Dog (band)|Dog Eat Dog and Goldfinger (band)|Goldfinger . Larkin's contributions led to a grittier sound for the second album Menace to Sobriety (Ugly Kid Joe album)|Menace to Sobriety , released in the summer of 1995. The album was recorded in Palacio Del Rio in northern Santa Barbara.

The band embarked on a tour in support of the album. They did a snowboard tour, a small club tour, and later a stadium tour opening for Bon Jovi and Van Halen . The band excluded 'Everything About You' from their set list in order to show the fans that they stand tall on their recent material. At a show in Wembley Stadium in London, the band was joined on stage by Ozzy Osbourne's son, Jack Osbourne before playing Sabbath's N.I.B.

Menace to Sobriety (Ugly Kid Joe album)|Menace to Sobriety received much praise from the press and fans, and United Kingdom|UK rock magazine Kerrang! ranked it as a contender for album of the year. Despite success overseas and a successful Europe an tour, the album was given little encouragement from Mercury Records and subsequently failed in the United States.

After being dropped by Mercury Records , Ugly Kid Joe formed its own independent label, Evilution Records, for the release of the band's next album. With distribution support from Castle Communications , Motel California was released in late 1996, and again the band toured Europe to smaller crowds. The tour was named Late Check-out Tour, underlining the band's characteristic sense of humor. Motel California , an album lead vocalist Whitfield Crane described as "heavy, funky, and has everything in it", initially received lukewarm reviews and sold poorly, though it has gained a minor cult following in recent times.

Break-up and aftermath (1997–2009)

Ugly Kid Joe disbanded in 1997. Drummer Shannon Larkin has been a member of Godsmack since 2002, while lead vocalist Whitfield Crane took the then vacant vocalist spot for New York rock band Life of Agony whose former singer Keith Caputo had left the group in 1997. After his quick departure from Life of Agony, Crane collaborated with some Soulfly members on a new projects called Medication (band)|Medication (1999–2003) and Godsmack members on Another Animal (2006–2009).

In 2005, an unreleased video for 'Bicycle Wheels' was made public onto the Ugly Kid Joe forum site. In 2007, an official Myspace page was made of the band, with old photographs of the band and other candid pictures along with promotional artwork and uploaded live footage and another unreleased music video for 'Sandwich'. Some of the other footage included footage of the band playing at the UC Santa Barbara campus before getting signed. Soon videos were turning up on YouTube by fans, some included live recordings of them in concert and television recordings. Meanwhile the band's main page kept live tracks and rare songs on its page, including a demo of 'C.U.S.T.' and a few tracks from Motel California and Menace to Sobriety.

Reunion (2010–present)

Klaus Eichstadt stated in the December 2009 issue of the German edition of the music magazine Metal Hammer , that the members of Ugly Kid Joe were planning to reunite in summer 2010, although did not specify whether their intent was to produce a new album or simply to perform together. However, rumors of a reunion were confirmed on their MySpace page on May 27, 2010. Their MySpace page also says that the reunion lineup will be the same as the last one before their breakup.

As of July 2011, according to drummer Shannon Larkin , a new album has been completed. He revealed the album's status in an interview with California's KSAN (FM)|107.7 The Bone at the Mayhem Festival|Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival , saying "It's a fun band – it's funny, you listen to the songs and it makes you laugh. Just a good-time rock band, y'know? "

On September 9, 2011, vocalist Whitfield Crane made an update on the band's official Facebook page stating he appeared KSAN (FM)|107.7 The Bone the day before and played a new track called "Love Ain't True" and stating that a 6 track EP and was mixed and finished. According to official website "also in the works is an EPK documenting the reunification and the latest recording sessions along with some rare old footage of interviews, behind the scenes stuff, and live performances".

Also they will be playing at Sweden Rock Festival 2012 in June. On January 16, 2012, it was announced that they would be playing at Download Festival 2012. On January 27, 2012, it was also announced through their page they will be playing the Gods of Metal festival in Milan, Italy. Ugly Kid Joe will be the main support act for Guns n' Roses in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 3rd 2012.

Also they made music video for song called "Devil's Paradise" from upcoming EP.

Band members

Current members

According to their Myspace, the current lineup is as follows:

Whitfield Crane – lead vocals (1989–1997, 2010–present)

Klaus Eichstadt – guitars, backing vocals (1989–1997, 2010–present)

Cordell Crockett – bass guitar, backing vocals (1991–1997, 2010–present)

Dave Fortman – guitars, backing vocals (early 1992–1997, 2010–present)

Shannon Larkin – drums, percussion (1994–1997, 2010–present)

Former members

Phil Hilgaertner – bass guitar, backing vocals (1989–1991)

Roger Lahr – guitars, backing vocals (early 1991–early 1992)

Mark Davis – drums, percussion (1989–1993)

Bob Fernandez – drums, percussion (1994)

Session musicians

Carrie Hamilton – piano on As Ugly as They Wanna Be (1991 — "Everything About You")

Stephen Perkins – percussion on '' America's Least Wanted (1992 — multiple tracks)

Dean Pleasants – rhythm guitar on '' America's Least Wanted (1992 — "Same Side")

Jennifer Barry – backing vocals on '' America's Least Wanted (1992 — multiple tracks), backing vocals on Menace to Sobriety (Ugly Kid Joe album)|Menace To Sobriety (1995 — multiple tracks), backing vocals on Motel California (1996 — "Would You Like To Be There")

Rob Halford – backing vocals on '' America's Least Wanted (1992 — "Goddamn Devil")

Julia Sweeney – additional vocals on '' America's Least Wanted (1992 — "Goddamn Devil", "Everything About You")

Brad Divens – backing vocals on Menace to Sobriety (Ugly Kid Joe album)|Menace To Sobriety (1995 — multiple tracks)

Tom Fletcher – backing vocals on Menace to Sobriety (Ugly Kid Joe album)|Menace To Sobriety (1995 — multiple tracks)

Lemmy – backing vocals on Motel California (1996 — "Little Red Man")

Angus Cooke – cello on Motel California (1996 — "Undertow")

Tim Wheater – flute on Motel California (1996 — "12 Cents")

Lineups

(1987/ 1989–early 1990) Whitfield Crane – lead vocals Klaus Eichstadt – lead guitar, backing vocals Eric Phillips – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Phil Hilgaertner – bass guitar, backing vocals Mark Davis – drums, percussion
(early 1991–late 1991) Whitfield Crane – lead vocals Klaus Eichstadt – lead guitar, backing vocals Roger Lahr – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Phil Hilgaertner – bass guitar, backing vocals Mark Davis – drums, percussion
(late 1991–early 1992) Whitfield Crane – lead vocals Klaus Eichstadt – lead guitar, backing vocals Roger Lahr – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Cordell Crockett – bass guitar, backing vocals Mark Davis – drums, percussion
(early 1992–late 1993) Whitfield Crane – lead vocals Klaus Eichstadt – guitar, backing vocals Dave Fortman – guitar, backing vocals Cordell Crockett – bass guitar, backing vocals Mark Davis – drums, percussion
(early 1994) Whitfield Crane – lead vocals Klaus Eichstadt – guitar, backing vocals Dave Fortman – guitar, backing vocals Cordell Crockett – bass guitar, backing vocals Bob Fernandez – drums, percussion
(mid 1994–1997) Whitfield Crane – lead vocals Klaus Eichstadt – guitar, backing vocals Dave Fortman – guitar, backing vocals Cordell Crockett – bass guitar, backing vocals Shannon Larkin – drums, percussion
(1997–2010)SPLIT
(2010–present) Whitfield Crane – lead vocals Klaus Eichstadt – guitar, backing vocals Dave Fortman – guitar, backing vocals Cordell Crockett – bass guitar, backing vocals Shannon Larkin – drums, percussion

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions								sales thresholds )
Year	Album details	US cite web	AUS cite web	AUT cite web	NOR cite web	NZ cite web	SWE cite web	SWI cite web	UK cite web	sales thresholds )
1992	'' America's Least Wanted Released: September 1992 Label: Mercury Records	27	7	4	8	13	21	16	11	style="text-align:left;" Recording Industry Association of America\|US : 2× Platinum International Federation of the Phonographic Industry\|AUT : Gold International Federation of the Phonographic Industry\|SWI : Gold
1995	Menace to Sobriety (Ugly Kid Joe album) Released: June 1995 Label: Mercury Records	178	19	24	—	—	—	22	25
1996	Motel California Released: October 22, 1996 Label: Evilution/Castle Records	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	128
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions						Certifications
Year	Album details	US	AUT	NOR	NZ	SWI	UK	Certifications
1991	As Ugly as They Wanna Be Released: June, 1991 Label: Mercury Records	4	15	13	12	20	9	style="text-align:left;" US: 2× Platinum

Compilation albums

Year	Album details
1998	The Very Best of Ugly Kid Joe: As Ugly as It Gets Released: August 4, 1998 Label: Mercury Records
2002	The Collection (Ugly Kid Joe album) Released: May 14, 2002 Label: Spectrum Music

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions								Certifications	Album
Year	Single	US cite web	US Main cite web	US Pop cite web	AUS cite web	FRA cite web	NOR cite web	NZ cite web	UK	Certifications	Album
1992	" Everything About You (Ugly Kid Joe song)	9	6	—	—	25	5	—	3		As Ugly as They Wanna Be
	"Madman"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		''America's Least Wanted
	"Neighbor"	—	29	—	28	—	—	—	28
	"So Damn Cool"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	44
1993	" Cat's in the Cradle "	6	3	11	1	28	2	4	7	style="text-align:left;" Recording Industry Association of America\|US : Gold
1993	"Busy Bee"	—	22	—	39	—	—	—	39
1994	"Goddamn Devil"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1994	" N.I.B. "	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Nativity in Black
1995	"Tomorrow's World"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Menace to Sobriety
	"Milkman's Son"	—	—	—	40	—	—	—	39
	"Cloudy Skies"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1996	"It's a Lie"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Motel California
1996	"Sandwich"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Motel California
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Copyright Citations

This article is licensed under the GNU License
Click here for original article: Ugly Kid Joe

Ugly Kid Joe Photo by: mclub.te.net.ua


1. Godsmack 2. Motorhead

Metal Music Artists