Ugly Kid Joe

Ugly Kid Joe (UKJ) is a musical group of heavy metal California N founded in the Années 1990. The group is a quintet formed by the Chanteur Whitfield Crane and its friend Guitariste Klaus Eichstadt. Mark Davis, the first Beater, Roger Lahr, the second Guitarist, and Cordell Crockett, the Bass player, rejoignèrent the group only starting from 1991, often at the time of a replacement of ex musicians of the group.

The name “Ugly Kid Joe” ( Joe the ugly kid ) is a parodic wink with the group Glamor “Pretty Boy Floyd” ( Floyd the beautiful child ). The style mocker and parodic was the spearhead of the group, and their main theme. Their texts are a self-criticism of the US consumer society in general, following the example Simpsons. UKJ figure even in the original soundtrack of the film Wayne's World.

The first disc of the group was entitled “Ace Ugly As They Wanna Be” ( as ugly as they can the being ) and was a success which allowed the group to found its notoriety, in particular thanks to the very famous title “Everything butt you” widely diffused on the radio waves at that time.

The second album “America' S Least Wanted” was an international success. The titles “Everything butt you” and “Madman 92”, already present on the first album, are also reproduced on this second opus.

One will note on this disc the resumption of “Cats in the Cradle” of Harry Chapin, and “Same Side”, kind of song inspired of traditional “the buffs” of groups of Rock, at the Groovy rate/rhythm, which the Dean guitarist of the group of metal-funk Infectious Grooves exploits of the Guitare Wah-wah, and made of this piece a precursor in fusion of the kind “metal” and “Funk”. This new wave “groovy” of the Californian rock'n'roll of the 90 ' S will be continued by groups like the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

After the success of this album, the group founds its own label “Evolution”, under which it produces its two next discs: “Threat to Sobriety” and “California Motel”. Unfortunately, the group misses innovation on this album, and UKJ loses its spirit “young imp” on these discs, while wanting to change its image, to claim with a more serious label. One notices the absence of their mascot “Joe” on these the last two discs.

The group will leave a compilation its best titles, then the members will separate in all friendship in 1996.

Composition of the group

Basic training

Whitfield Cranium - song
Klaus Eichstadt - guitar
Davis Mark - battery
Roger Lahr - guitar
Cordell Crockett - low

Changes of members

Dave Fortman - guitar (Roger Lahr in 1992 replaces)
Shannon Larkin - percussion, battery (Mark Davis in 1994 replaces)

Discography

Discs original studios :

1992: Ace Ugly Ace They Wanna Be (EP)
1992: America' S Least Wanted
1995: Threaten To Sobriety
1996: Motel California

Best off :

1998: The Very Best Off Ugly Kid Joe: Ace Ugly Ace It Gets (best off)

Recoveries :

1994: Nativity in Black: In Tribute to Black Sabbath (a homage of various artists (Biohazard, Megadeth, White Zombie, Faith No More, Sepultura, Therapy?, Standard O Negative…) with the group of heavy metal Black Sabbath. Ugly Kid Joe takes again the title " N.I.B.".)

External bonds

personal Page summary Biography (in French)
http://www.sing365.com/ very complete Biography (in English)

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