Ugly Kid Joe
Review: Ugly Kid Joe at the Engine Rooms, Southampton
The chance to review Ugly Kid Joe at the Engine Rooms, Southampton, has been some 25 years in the making. “America’s Least Wanted” LP having been released back in 1992. Although despite a double platinum record and commercial success with several top 40 singles, UKJ were often dismissed as a caricature of a rock band.
Since then lead singer Whitfield Crane has been involved in a number of projects. Including the short-lived Machine Head/Soulfly supergroup Medication and tonight’s opening act, Yellowcake.
Playing in two bands on one tour is impressive enough, but Yellowcake are far more than Crane’s bit on the side. Reminiscent of the frontman’s time in Life of Agony, Yellowcake provides big sludgy riffs and the chance to showcase Whit’s ability to adapt vocally.
Yellowcake
While Yellowcake gave a glimpse into how good the headliners were going to be, it was Haggard Cat that were officially main support. In recent years there seems to have seen an increase in noisy 2 pieces. Some much better than others. So although Haggard Cat made a hell of a racket, with the singer/guitarist striking a pose at every opportunity, I wasn’t particularly blown away.
Haggard Cat
Ugly Kid Joe at the Engine Rooms
The longer slot by Haggard Cat did, however, give Whitfield Crane a breather before returning to the stage. I must admit the moment Ugly Kid Joe at the Engine Rooms was announced, I had high hopes for the show. Although what I wasn’t quite expecting, was it to end up being a strong contender for gig of the year.
You have to see Whitfield Crane live to really appreciate just what a great singer he really is. Not only that, but his natural personality makes for the ultimate frontman. As well as being able to deliver a tune vocally, he also had the audience at his fingertips.
As for guitarists Klaus Eichstadt and Dave Fortman, they often alternated on the solos. Eichstadt being more visual on stage, while elsewhere Fortman has made a name for himself as a successful producer. In particular with the likes of Slipknot and Evanescence.
Ugly Kid Joe – Engine Rooms
Americas Least Wanted
It was no surprise that Ugly Kid Joe’s setlist pulled mostly from that aforementioned debut album. Every tune sounding as fresh today as when “Americas Least Wanted” was released all those years ago.
In particular tracks such as “Come tomorrow” and “So Damn Cool” were sounding great. As well as slower numbers “Busy Bee” and hit single/power ballad “Cat’s in the Cradle” (originally by 70’s singer-songwriter Harry Chapin).
Elsewhere in the set was the odd tune from 1995 release “Menace to Sobriety”, along with a rip-roaring version of Motorhead classic “Ace of Spades”. There was also time for Klaus Eichstadt to take to the mic for “Mr Recordman”.
Review: Ugly Kid Joe at the Engine Rooms
All the while, Whitfield Crane continued to rally the crowd’s response. None-more-so than when rhythm section Cordell Crockett and Zac Morris carried out an impromptu jam. Although Crane got a little carried away conducting the audience in an amusing sing-song, it was still highly entertaining.
It certainly was one of those shows where you could tell the band were loving it. So much so in fact, that they almost missed the chance to play the last song of the night. However, Ugly Kid Joe wouldn’t have got away without playing their best-known track “Everything About You”, which finally brought the evening to a close.
While “America’s Least Wanted” maybe 25 years old, Ugly Kid Joe at the Engine Rooms was certainly worth the wait.
