Ugly Kid Joe, Camden Underworld
Published
Headlining a sold-out show in Camden’s Underworld venue, 90’s stalwarts Ugly kid Joe take to stage in good spirits as a pleasing warmth and anticipation fills the air.
Forever famed for Wayne’s World’s still catchy ‘Everything About You’ the band remain generally familiar, despite singer Whitfield Crane’s shorter locks. Starting the set with bombastic early new number ‘She’s Already Gone’. Quickly followed by a taunt ‘God Damn Devil’ reminding one of that forgotten strong chorus, then into probably their heaviest, most underrated single ‘So Damn Cool’ all chugging rhythm’s and grungey appeal. Actually more like a lighter Soundgarden, with an incessant riff propelling it’s structure.
And whilst there was something of a kiddy metal feel to Ugly Kid Joe back in the day, it was never a Bon Jovi-like sappy cringefest. Hence a fair amount of nostalgia and enthusiasm evident around Underworld tonight. Evident when numbers from the band’s 90’s heyday ring out to rapturous applause, indicated via the mass singalong accompanying Cats In The Cradle. With the band tight and in synch throughout, displaying good energy, and clearly up for it. And surprisingly still strong vocals for Whitfield Crane.
With the crowd seemingly gleefully sweating along, and forgetting their worries momentary, before we inevitable bundle towards the encores clear highlight, and aforementioned catchy ‘Everything About You’ , unmistakable the bands commercial peak and moment in the sun. And it’s wilfully teenage, and a bit naff yet at the same time cathartic, and with a certain nostalgic charm, without doubt a hit song evident on its opening bars, right up to finish. As the good vides abound around the venue, the band wisely deciding that the track can’t be topped as the crowd slowly make their way out to an atypical noisy, busy Camden Town.
