Ugly Kid Joe

Ugly Kid Joe
Ugly Kid Joe, 1992
Background information
Origin	Isla Vista, California, USA
Genres	Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal
Years active	1989–1997, 2010–present
Labels	Mercury, Evilution
Associated acts	Life of Agony, Another Animal, Godsmack, Overdrive, Medication, Amen
Website	uglykidjoe.net
Members
Whitfield Crane Klaus Eichstadt Cordell Crockett Dave Fortman Shannon Larkin
Past members
Phil Hildegaertner Eric Phillips Mark Davis Roger Lahr Jon Spaulding Criss Wheeler D.D. "Doomsday" Taylor Bob Fernandez

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

After releasing three full-length albums and touring extensively throughout the 1990s, Ugly Kid Joe disbanded in 1997, and later reformed in mid-2010.^[1] They also plan to release an EP sometime in 2011-2012.

History

Early history (1989–1991)

Childhood friends Whitfield Crane and Klaus Eichstadt took an interest to music while in Santa Barbara. Eichstadt joined Crane's band 'Overdrive' which consisted of Eric Phillips on guitar, Phil Hildengaertner on bass, and John Spaulding. Spaulding would get kicked out of the band due to going mentally insane in the band (which inspired the band to write the song 'Too Bad') and was eventually replaced by Mark Davis. Due to musical direction, Phillips was kicked out of the band and was replaced by Roger Lahr. Cordell Crocket would come in after Hildengaertner left the group, which completed the 'As Ugly as They Wanna Be' line-up of the band.

The band changed its name to '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. 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, and later opening for former Black Sabbath lead vocalist Ozzy Osbourne.

The band finally garnered some success in 1992 with the single "Everything About You", which peaked at #3 in the UK Singles Chart and was in the Billboard Top 100 for 1992. Later in the year the song was used in the movie Wayne's World. Further singles did not fare as well, however, but the positive response to the band’s live performance of Harry Chapin’s "Cat's in the Cradle" on MTV prompted a studio version. It 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. A critic gave praise to the band's version of the song saying, "This is the song we have been screaming about since we first heard the album. This is the song the audience has been waiting for."

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 of 1992. 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 Tours' 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 and Silver status in the United Kingdom.

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 Awards. 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.

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

After their "Zit Poppin', Butt Pickin', Booger Flingin' 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 with the band at the Hollywood Rock festival in 1994 as headliners along with Aerosmith, Poison, among others. After attending a Souls at Zero show in Colorado, Crane became immediately impressed with the band's drummer, Shannon Larkin, formerly of Souls at Zero, Wrathchild America, and Wrathchild. 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 and Goldfinger. Larkin's contributions led to a grittier sound for the second album Menace to Sobriety, released in the summer of 1995. The album was recorded in Palace 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 with Ozzy Osbourne's son, Jack Osbourne and jammed together on stage for a rendition of Sabbath's N.I.B.

Menace to Sobriety received much praise from the press and fans, and UK rock magazine Kerrang! ranked it as a contender for album of the year. Despite success overseas and a successful European 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 current 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 (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. Another official Myspace page opened up for the earlier version of UKJ titled Overdrive [Pre UKJ] which contained a live acoustic of Cats in the Cradle and several unreleased demos such as 'L.A. Girls', 'Ghost Town', etc. 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.^[2] 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 107.7 The Bone at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, saying "A lot of the songs, Klaus wrote in '98. 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?"^[3]

On September 9, 2011, vocalist Whitfield Crane made an update on the band's official Facebook page stating he appeared 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 a DVD documenting the reunification and the latest recording sessions along with some rare old footage of interviews, behind the scenes stuff, and live performances".

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)
• Eric Phillips – guitars, backing vocals (1989–early 1991)
• Roger Lahr – guitars, backing vocals (early 1991–early 1992)
• Jon Spaulding – drums, percussion (1989)
• Mark Davis – drums, percussion (1989–1993)
• D.D. "Doomsday" Taylor - drums, percussion, (1992)
• 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 (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 (1995 — multiple tracks)
• Tom Fletcher – backing vocals on 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)	Whitfield Crane – lead vocals Eric Phillips – guitars, backing vocals Phil Hilgaertner – bass guitar, backing vocals Jon Spaulding – drums, percussion
(1987/1989–early 1991)	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 Criss Wheeler – 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								Certifications (sales threshold)
		US [4]	AUS [5]	AUT [6]	NOR [7]	NZ [8]	SWE [9]	SWI [10]	UK [11][12]
1992	America's Least Wanted Release date: September 1992 Label: Mercury Records	27	7	4	8	13	21	16	11	US: 2× Platinum[13] SWI: Gold[14] AUT: Gold[15]
1995	Menace to Sobriety Release date: June 1995 Label: Mercury Records	178	19	24	—	—	—	22	25
1996	Motel California Release date: October 22, 1996 Label: Evilution/Castle Records	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	128
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions						Certifications (sales threshold)
		US [4]	AUT [6]	NOR [7]	NZ [8]	SWI [10]	UK [11]
1991	As Ugly as They Wanna Be Release date: June 1991 Label: Mercury Records	4	15	13	12	20	9	US: 2× Platinum[13]

Compilation albums

Year	Album details
1998	The Very Best of Ugly Kid Joe Release date: August 4, 1998 Label: Mercury Records
2002	The Collection Release date: May 14, 2002 Label: Spectrum Music

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions								Certifications (sales threshold)	Album
		US [16]	US Main [17]	US Pop [18]	AUS [19]	FRA [20]	NOR [21]	NZ [22]	UK [11]
1992	"Everything About You"	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	US: Gold[23]
	"Busy Bee"	—	22	—	39	—	—	—	39
1994	"Goddamn Devil"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"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
	"Sandwich"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

References

1. ^ Facebook - Ugly Kid Joe
2. ^ "UGLY KID JOE | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. http://www.myspace.com/uglykidjoetheband. Retrieved 2011-10-21. 
3. ^ "Ugly Kid Joe Complete Comeback Album". Sleazeroxx.com. 2011-07-19. http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news/00577.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sleazeroxx+%28Sleaze+Roxx+News+Headlines%29. Retrieved 2011-10-21. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Ugly Kid Joe Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/ugly-kid-joe/chart-history/22557?f=305&g=Albums. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
5. ^ "australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal". australian-charts.com. http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=a. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "austriancharts.at - Austria Top 40". austriancharts.at. http://austriancharts.at/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=a. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
7. ^ ^{a b} "norwegiancharts.com - Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. http://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=a. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.org.nz. http://charts.org.nz/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=a. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
9. ^ "swedishcharts.com - Swedish charts portal". swedishcharts.com. http://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=a. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
10. ^ ^{a b} "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music CommUnity". hitparade.ch. http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=a. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
11. ^ ^{a b c} "Chart Stats - Ugly Kid Joe". chartstats.com. http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=6508. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
12. ^ "Chart Log UK: U2 - Utopia". Official Charts Company. http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_U.HTM. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
13. ^ ^{a b} "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - August 20, 2010: Ugly Kid Joe certified albums". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Ugly%20Kid%20Joe&format=ALBUM&go=Search&perPage=50. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
14. ^ Steffen Hung. "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". Hitparade.ch. http://hitparade.ch/awards.asp?year=1993. Retrieved 2011-10-21. 
15. ^ "IFPI Austria - Verband der Österreichischen Musikwirtschaft" (in (German)). Ifpi.at. http://www.ifpi.at/?section=goldplatin. Retrieved 2011-10-21. 
16. ^ "Ugly Kid Joe Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/ugly-kid-joe/chart-history/22557?f=379&g=Singles. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
17. ^ "allmusic ((( Ugly Kid Joe > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p26096. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
18. ^ "Ugly Kid Joe Album & Song Chart History: Pop Songs". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/ugly-kid-joe/chart-history/22557?f=381&g=Singles. Retrieved August 20, 2010. 
19. ^ "australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal". australian-charts.com. http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=s. Retrieved August 21, 2010. 
20. ^ "lescharts.com - Les charts portal". lescharts.com. http://lescharts.com/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=s. Retrieved August 21, 2010. 
21. ^ "norwegiancharts.com - Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. http://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=s. Retrieved August 21, 2010. 
22. ^ "charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.org.nz. http://charts.org.nz/search.asp?search=Ugly+Kid+Joe&cat=s. Retrieved August 21, 2010. 
23. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - August 21, 2010: Ugly Kid Joe certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Ugly%20Kid%20Joe&format=SINGLE&go=Search&perPage=50. Retrieved August 21, 2010. 

External links

• Official Ugly Kid Joe MySpace page
• Official Ugly Kid Joe Facebook page
• Official Ugly Kid Joe website
• Unofficial Ugly Kid Joe website
• Allmusic entry for Ugly Kid Joe
• Ugly Kid Joe on RockAlmanac.com