The reason why Ugly Kid Joe formed for the first time in the Eighties is a rather curious one. - There was a band back then, named Pretty Boy Floyd, who took care for awareness with tons of make up and sparkling glitterlook. At this time two boys, who kew each other from childhood onwards - Whitfield Crane and Klaus Eichstadt had a band named Swat. They were supposed to support Pretty Boy Floyd at one occassion. And for this they renamed themself in the opposition of the headliner's name - Ugly for Pretty - Kid for Boy and Joe for Floyd.... However, the support slot never happened in the end, but the name stayed - 'till this very day. 
Now, I have to say,  that this band has been put on hold for more than 15 years until recently.
But back then, this band made themselves a name mainly with two songs. That was for once 'Everything About You' in the year 1992, which jumped on pos. 9 in the single charts and in Great Britain even on no. 3. Only one year later the cover of Harry Chapins number one hit 'Cats in the Cradle' from 1974, went on chart positions between 1 and 10 in Great Britain, the USA, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Though some years later this chapter was finished. 
Within this long break singer Whit Crane did many other things including the job in Life Of Agony. 
In fact, it was in 2010, when guitarist Klaus Eichstadt, who's name tells his german heritage,  contacted Crane with the idea of reformation of the old band. And Crane accepted immidiately. Also original Bassist Cordell Crockett came back in addition to guitarist Sonny Mayo and the pretty girl drummer named Yael, who replaces drummer Shannon Larkin. . 
However, it took another 2 years since the first thought about reformation 'till now to come over to Europe. The band has also got a new 6 Track EP - selfproduced, which is available at their concerts. 
Tonight the stopover is Munich - Feierwerk, and despite the current soccer European championship - England vs. Ukraine tonight, the place is really packed, which means aprox. 250 guests. 

There is a Supportband as well, and this is english new rockers Dear Superstar from  Manchester who start the evening at 8.30 p.m.


They do belong to this sort of very young and new Hardrock Bands and are similar to groups like Zebrahead or Theory Of A Deadman. Those of course got a bigger reputation than our participants here. The bandmembers including singer Micky Satiar must be not older than in their mid twenties I guess. Past february their third album 'Damned Religion' came out and this is also the focus of this trip now. the only bad thing is once again the low light conditions, which let's this band almost drowning. I personally think, these youngsters are not bad at all. And it once again proves my faible for thos kind of young new generation rockbands, who bring so much air within the Rock'n'Roll machinery...


The only problem which is glued to these Kiddies, is the always returning question: Will they still be around next year same time? Well let's see and hope. But you better remember this name. It could get bigger... More infos at: 
   http://www.dearsuperstar.co.uk/
In Ugly Kid Joe you feel immidiately who is the boss here.....


Whit Cranfield was the boss back then and he is the main guy again up there on stage, with this huge aura and a slight arrogance, catching his audiance from the very first moment. But most of all it seems, as this band has never been away. And it is definately a lie, that they are living only from two songs. Maybe this is for the chart record. But whatever these americans present us here live on stage tonight is a firevworks of good mood and an explosive Rock'n'Roll show, which can't be any better. The setlist, as you can see, includes old songs and the new EP stuff....


And of course those two diamonds of the band mustn'd be missing, an acoustic version of 'Cats In The Cradle' and as the encore 'Everything About You'- Very impressing by the way is, what this girl does behind the drumkit. With a body hight of max. 1.60 and very small feet, she still seems like a wolf in a sheep fur.  Halleluja the snares ask for mercy and the bassdrum call's it a day - well almost...


This show is really breathtaking and sweating the hell out in each way. It's not only the action on stage, but also the audiance driving mad. And both together causes temperatures of about 100 degrees and more, while outside a huge thunderstorm is evolving. But in here a great party is happening. Guitarist Klaus takes the mike to say something in german to the fans, which they appreciate very much again.  


'Cats In The Cradle'

And this could go on the whole night, but of course it doesn't. Much too early this magic ends, just after a little over one hour. It's indeed a little short, but on the other hand due to the physical exhaustion nothing more goes... 
Apart from that, there is not much more to say....



'Everything About You'

This here is a solid show with a lot of chilli in it's Rock'n'Roll and some nostalgic moments. And I have definately the feeling, - yes we want more of this...
 http://uglykidjoe.info/

Snapshots (& iv)  is available in the Diary