Ugly kid Joe - Uglier and older than they used to be... but better than ever!

September 26th 2015

London, Underworld, UK

****

Funk Metal, Classic Rock, Nu-Metal, Thrash Metal Ugly kid Joe can do it all!!!

Ugly kid Joe **** are back at the London, Underworld in Camden for two Sold Out!!! shows. Their has been quite some anticipation about tonight's shows and their has been no tickets for the first show for months, with the second show Selling Out!!! a few weeks after. I think the word has been getting around about Ugly kid Joe's great live show, with top rankings for their performances in loads of printed and online magazines. Last time we saw the band at the London, Electric Ballroom down the road we gave them *****'s.

Since then Ugly kid Joe have released their brand new album 'Uglier than they use ta Be', nineteen years after 1996's 'Motel California' which got to No.128 in the UK album chart. Which is a far cry from the first two records 1992's 'America's least Wanted' No.11 and 1995's 'Menace to Sobriety' No.25. Ugly kid Joe really were a household name in the UK in the 90's, but the thing we all want to know is will they be again with 'Uglier than they used ta Be'.

Well the 'Uglier than they used ta Be' tour is almost over and it is the night before the last show, which is going to be at the same venue. And Ugly kid Joe are ready to impress again, coming onto the stage to the sound of classic Gangsta Rap and breaking into their hit single 'Neighbor'. They continue with brilliant renditions old tracks of 'Jesus rode a Harley, C.U.S.T.' and the almost creepy 'Panhandlin' Prince'.

These all show off Ugly kid Joe's heavier elements and the fact just Whitfield Crane's vocals have not deteriorated over the years, and actually might sound better than they ever have done before. New songs in the bands set like 'Nothing ever Changes, Under the Bottom' and the single 'I'm Alright' show that the band can still write great Funk Metal material... that stands strong along old classics like 'Milkmans Son' (One of my personal favourite songs), So damn Cool' and 'God damn Devil'. All of which sound like you have been taken back in time.

Also the swirly guitar sound provided by once touring but now stable member Sonny Mayo (Snot, Amen, (hed)Pe), is mezmorising to watch. He provides a certain modern age to Ugly kid Joe's sound, I think the same edge he brought to both Amen and Snot who both sound a little different without him. When I hear he is in the band, I'm always excited about seeing what he can add to the mix. He does his usual jumps round the stage, while original guitarist from the start Klaus Eichstadt seems a little subdued today... which is a shame.

When the band play 'So damn Cool', you get the feeling they are playing it for bassist Cordell Crockett cause he is looking very cool today in his shades and almost Hip Hop / Hardcore style outfit. I would though love to see producer guitarist Dave Fortman play live with the band again, it would be a rare treat. But we can't really complain because we have three of the key members here, which is more than most bands.

Check Out! the Video for 'Some damn Cool' Below...

'So damn Cool' is taken from the album 'America's least Wanted'

Of course one of the highlights in the bands set is the Harry Chapin cover of 'Cats in the Cradle', which was a mega hit for the band. It's beautiful to see everyone singing their hearts out to every lyric, which makes it kind of standout in their set. Also closers 'VIP' a fast paced track and 'Everything about You' from the first album and 'Wayne's World' soundtrack really do make their mark in the bands set and leave you on a high. Especially when Skindred drummer Arya Goggin takes newby Zac Morris places behind the kit for the bands big finale

The thing is by Ugly kid Joe's high standards set at previous shows, that even a great performance like this... was not their best. Maybe they were saving something special for the last night of the tour the next day. You can't go wrong with getting yourself a copy of the bands new album 'Uglier than they use ta Be', it has been well worth the wait, and Ugly kid Joe are one of the best live Rock acts touring on the circuit at the moment so well worth checking out next time they hit a town near you.