Ugly Kid Joe

Ugly Kid Joe is back in 2027 for a major 9-date tour across France! American satirical hard rock band tinged with funk and alternative metal, Ugly Kid Joe met with considerable success at its beginnings, notably with its debut album America's Least Wanted (1992).

Formed in Isla Vista, California, the band originally consisted of vocalist Whitfield Crane and guitarist Klaus Eichstadt, strengthened in 1989 with the arrivals of Cordell Crockett (bass) and Mark Davis (drums), then Dave Fortman (guitar) in 1992.

Taking its parodic name from that of the glam metal formation Pretty Boy Floyd, Ugly Kid Joe recorded a demo with Eric Valentine before signing in 1991 with the Mercury label.

The release later that year of the EP As Ugly as They Wanna Be creates a surprise by ranking 4th on the Billboard 200 (#9 in the UK), partly thanks to the title "Everything About You"? (#9 on the Hot 100 and #3 in the UK).

The phenomenon that spreads to Europe continues with the album America's Least Wanted (1992), ranked #27 in the United States and #11 in the UK.

The album, which ridicules certain American symbols like the Statue of Liberty on the cover, provokes censorship and includes participations by Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction) and actresses Carrie Hamilton and Julia Sweeney, while the cover of Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle" (renamed "Cats in the Cradle") ranks #6.

After a triumphant tour, the band changes drummers and integrates Shannon Larkin before recording the album Menace to Sobriety (1995), whose reception proves mixed by country (#178 on the Billboard 200, #25 in the UK).

Evicted by its record label, Ugly Kid Joe records under its own Evilution label the album Motel California (1996) then separates the following year, while in 1998 the compilation As Ugly as It Gets: The Very Best of Ugly Kid Joe is released. In 201