Ugly Kid Joe

Ugly Kid Joe are back in 2027 for a major tour of 9 dates across France!

An American satirical hard rock band with touches of funk and alternative metal, Ugly Kid Joe enjoyed considerable success in their early days, notably with their debut album America's Least Wanted (1992). Formed in Isla Vista, California, the original line-up of lead singer Whitfield Crane and guitarist Klaus Eichstadt was strengthened in 1989 by the arrival of Cordell Crockett (bass) and Mark Davis (drums), followed by Dave Fortman (guitar) in 1992.

Taking their parodic name from the glam metal band Pretty Boy Floyd, Ugly Kid Joe recorded a demo with Eric Valentine before signing with the label Mercury in 1991. The EP As Ugly as They Wanna Be, released the same year, took everyone by surprise by reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 (No. 9 in the United Kingdom), partly thanks to the track "Everything About You"? (No. 9 on the Hot 100 and No. 3 in the United Kingdom).

The phenomenon spread to Europe and continued with the album America's Least Wanted (1992), which reached No. 27 in the United States and No. 11 in the United Kingdom. The record, which mocks certain American symbols such as the Statue of Liberty on its cover, provoked censorship and features contributions from Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Stepen Perkins (Jane's Addiction) and actresses Carrie Hamilton and Julia Sweeney, while their cover of Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle" (retitled in the plural as "Cats in the Cradle") reached No. 6. After a triumphant tour, the band changed drummer and brought in Shannon Larkin before recording the album Menace to Sobriety (1995), which received a mixed reception depending on the country (No. 178 on the Billboard 200, No. 25 in the United Kingdom). Dropped by their record company, Ugly Kid Joe released the album Motel California (1996) on their own label, Evilution, then split up the following year, while in 1998 the compilation As Ugly as It Gets: The Very Best of Ugly Kid Joe was released.