Ugly Kid Joe

Ugly Kid Joe was a heavy metal band from Isla Vista, California. The band's name is a parody of the band Pretty Boy Floyd. The band made a name for themselves in the early 1990s with their mix of satire and hard rock / metal sound. They toured the US several times - the second tour was in support of Scatterbrain, and then the subsequent tour was opening for Ozzy Osbourne.

Related Topics:
Heavy metal - Isla Vista, California - Pretty Boy Floyd - Scatterbrain - Ozzy Osbourne

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They first sparked success with the song "Everything about You", which was later placed into the movie Wayne's World. Further singles did not fare as well, but the positive response to the band's live performance of Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle" prompted a studio version, subsequently released as a well-received single that sold in excess of 500 000 copies in the USA alone.

Related Topics:
Wayne's World - Harry Chapin - Cat's in the Cradle

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After touring almost every continent in support of their 1992 full length album 'America's Least Wanted', the band searched around for a replacement drummer as Mark Davis, left his sticks behind to settle down and get married.

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Finally fate brought colourful drummer Shannon Larkin to Ugly Kid Joe, Larkin was formerly of metal band - Souls At Zero. His contribution to the band helped carve them a grittier and much more wholesome sound to their second album - Menace To Sobriety, which was released in the Summer of 1995.

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Menace To Sobriety received much praise from the press and fans, with even a comment from UK rock magazine; Kerrang stating it maybe "album of the year"..however, the band's US label 'Mercury Records' cut the band's deal not long after the album's release, despite huge success worldwide it actually bombed in the USA.

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After a sell out European tour and several TV guest show appearances, Ugly Kid Joe returned to their native land and planned their next move.

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Disheartened by their lack of support from former label, the band attempted to try their luck independently, forming Evilution Records, their own label. They used this with the help of Castle Communications to put out their final studio album - 'Motel California'.

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At the end of 1996 Motel California got its worldwide release, again the band toured Europe to smaller but never-the-less eager crowds. The tour was named 'late check out tour', underlining their biting wit and satirical take on life. Motel California now considered a minor classic, however received luke warm reviews and poor sales which steered the band into breaking up at the back end of 1997.

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Ugly Kid Joe remain a bizzare but unique chapter in the history of heavy music. Their inability to be pigeon holed or labelled still secures a small place for them in the world.

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