Ugly Kid Joe Premiere “I’m Alright” Video
Ugly Kid Joe Premiere “I’m Alright” Video
November 14, 2012
Reunited rockers Ugly Kid Joe have released the latest video from their comeback EP ‘Stairway To Hell’, for the single “I’m Alright”. The 6 song EP can be purchased from the band at www.uglykidjoe.net.
Ugly Kid Joe formed in Isla Vista, California in 1990, with their moniker being a pun on the glam hair band Pretty Boy Floyd. Unlike other garage bands, UKJ’s sound touches on a range of styles, including hard rock, southern, funk, rap and thrash. In conclusion to the band’s overall sound and vision, the members of the band have cited many times, that they are simply a manifestation of their environment and lifestyles — mounting from their geographic location of Southern California.
Ugly Kid Joe enjoyed popularity in the early to mid 1990s with their mix of sarcastic humor and metal sound. Their logo is a cartoon embodiment of an ‘ugly kid’ wearing a backward baseball hat and giving the finger. The band first gained success with “Everything About You”, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Top 100 singles chart (enjoying a 20 week run) and was later used in the movie Wayne’s World. The debut EP ‘As Ugly As They Wanna Be’ sold two million copies making it the highest selling debut EP of all time. The positive response to the band’s live performance of Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s In The Cradle” prompted a studio version and was subsequently released as a well-received single that sold over 500,000 copies in the United States alone and spent 20 weeks peaking at number six on the Billboard Top 100 Singles chart.
Ugly Kid Joe toured the US several times; their second tour was in support of Scatterbrain, and later opening for former Black Savvath vocalist and mentor Ozzy Osbourne. Heavily influenced by Black Sabbath and AC/DC, they covered several of their songs, including, “Sweet Leaf”, “Sin City” and “N.I.B.” After a world tour in support of their 1992 full-length album ‘America’s Least Wanted’ (which peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and also sold around two million copies Worldwide), the band searched around for a replacement drummer, as Mark Davis left to pursue a life away from the spotlight. Davis was eventually replaced by Shannon larkin (Godsmack) and his contributions led to a grittier sound for the second album ‘Menace To Sobriety’, released in the summer of 1995. ‘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 successful European tours (including a tour with Van Halen and Bon Jovi), the album was given little encouragement from Mercury Records and subsequently failed in the United States.
After parting amicably with Mercury Records, Ugly Kid Joe formed their own independent label Evilution Records which spawned the 1996 release of ‘Motel California’. Frontman Whitfield Crane described the album as “heavy, funky and has everything in it.” ‘Motel California’ received lukewarm reviews and sold poorly, although it has gained a minor cult following in recent years. Shortly after the release of ‘Motel California’ Ugly Kid Joe toured Europe to smaller crowds in support of what became UKJ’s final studio album. The tour was named “Late Check-Out Tour,” underlining the band’s characteristic sense of humor.
Ugly Kid Joe officially disbanded in 1997 after seven years together and record sales exceeding five million Worldwide. The band reunited in 2011 and recorded a 6 song EP entitled ‘Stairway To Hell’ which was released in 2012. The band is currently active, having done a successful five week European tour opening for the likes of legendary bands such as The Cult, Faith No More and Guns N’ Roses.
Courtesy of www.sleazeroxx.com