Album / Artist / Song Search

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Ugly Kid Joe - As Ugly As They Wanna Be (1991) | Album Analysis, Fun Facts & Trivia

Ugly Kid Joe - As Ugly As They Wanna Be (1991) album front coverUgly Kid Joe - As Ugly As They Wanna Be (1991) album back cover
Ugly Kid Joe - As Ugly As They Wanna Be (1991)
Album font and back image covers

As Ugly As They Wanna Be (1991)

Artist: Ugly Kid Joe
Type: EP (Extended Play)
Released: October 8, 1991
Label: Stardog Records/PolyGram
Genre: Hard rock / Funk metal / Alternative rock
Length: ~24:56
Formats: 12″ Vinyl EP, Cassette, CD

As Ugly As They Wanna Be is the debut EP by American rock band Ugly Kid Joe. It introduced their cheeky blend of heavy riffing, funk‑inflected grooves and irreverent humor — helping launch the band’s rise in the early 1990s rock scene.


📦 Cover Art & Design

The cover art for As Ugly As They Wanna Be features a cartoonish character — the band’s mascot — that embodies the EP’s irreverent title and attitude. The artwork reflects Ugly Kid Joe’s playful, self‑deprecating aesthetic and humor‑driven rock persona.

  • Cartoony Mascot: The cover depicts a stylized, mischievous figure representing “Ugly Kid Joe” with exaggerated features, signaling that the band doesn’t take itself too seriously.

  • Visual Style: The artwork uses bold, graphic lines and a comic‑inspired look, which complemented the band’s blend of heavy rock energy and tongue‑in‑cheek attitude.

  • Parody Title: The EP’s title — As Ugly As They Wanna Be — is itself a parody of 2 Live Crew’s 1989 album As Nasty As They Wanna Be, and the cover mirrors this spirit by embracing and exaggerating the “ugly” rock‑and‑roll stereotype.

This mix of humor and rock‑centric visuals helped the EP stand out in record stores and build early buzz for the band.


🎵 Tracklist (Original EP)

  1. Madman – 3:37

  2. Whiplash Liquor – 3:40

  3. Too Bad – 5:54

  4. Everything About You – 4:14

  5. Sweet Leaf/“Funky Fresh Country Club” (Black Sabbath cover/ukj mix) – 7:31

  6. Heavy Metal – 0:25

Two of these songs — “Madman” and “Everything About You” — were later re‑worked and included on the band’s 1992 full‑length debut America’s Least Wanted with slight changes to their arrangements and production.


🎼 Personnel & Credits

Band Members:

  • Whitfield Crane – Lead vocals

  • Klaus Eichstadt – Guitar, backing vocals

  • Cordell Crockett – Bass, backing vocals

  • Roger Lahr – Guitar, backing vocals

  • Mark Davis – Drums

Production:

  • Produced by Ugly Kid Joe and Ryan Dorn

  • Artwork design credited in some releases to Moish Brenman (EP artwork variations list design/illustration credits in liner notes)

  • Photography by Richard Aaron (in some cassette pressings)


📈 Chart Performance & Legacy

Although an EP, As Ugly As They Wanna Be was historically significant:

  • It became the first EP ever certified multi‑platinum by the RIAA, a rare achievement for a non‑album release.

  • Its success helped establish Ugly Kid Joe’s presence in the rock world and set the stage for their breakout full‑length album America’s Least Wanted.

The song “Everything About You” became a hit single and helped the band gain mainstream recognition, particularly after its association with the 1992 film Wayne’s World.


🎶 Notable Tracks & Highlights

  • Everything About You – The most commercially successful track from the EP, known for its catchy, sarcastic exploration of ambivalent feelings toward the world around you.

  • Madman – Heavy riff‑driven rocker with a wild narrative — later redone for the band’s major studio debut.

  • Sweet Leaf/Funky Fresh Country Club – A playful mash‑up incorporating elements of Black Sabbath’s classic Sweet Leaf.


🧠 Fun Facts & Trivia

  • The EP title’s parody of hip‑hop artist 2 Live Crew’s famously controversial As Nasty as They Wanna Be summed up Ugly Kid Joe’s irreverent sense of humor.

  • As Ugly As They Wanna Be was recorded quickly in 1991, serving as the band’s first major recorded output and capturing their raw early energy.

  • The success of Everything About You from this release helped propel Ugly Kid Joe into early ’90s prominence and paved the way for future albums and touring success.


🧠 Did You Know?

  • The EP’s multi‑platinum certification makes it one of the most commercially successful EPs in rock history, showing that even shorter formats can have a major impact.

  • The artwork’s cartoonish style was intentionally exaggerated to match the band’s self‑aware identity — embracing the “ugly” label with tongue‑in‑cheek pride. 


🧟‍♂️ Ugly Kid Joe – Complete Band Profile

🎸 Band Overview

Ugly Kid Joe is an American hard‑rock/metal band formed in 1989 in Isla Vista, California, United States. The group rose to fame in the early 1990s with a mix of heavy riffs, humorous lyrics, and irreverent attitude. Their style combines hard rock, heavy metal, alternative rock, funk metal, and pop‑metal elements — often with tongue‑in‑cheek humor.

The band’s name originated as a parody of the glam metal band Pretty Boy Floyd and stuck even after the initial show they planned didn’t happen.

They enjoyed major success early in their career, disbanded in 1997, then reunited in 2010 and have been active ever since.


👤 Band Members & Bios

Whitfield Crane – Lead Vocals

Frontman and distinctive voice of the band. Known for gritty vocals and high‑energy stage presence. Crane has also worked with other projects outside UKJ during the band’s hiatus.

Klaus Eichstadt – Guitar, Backing Vocals

Co‑founder with Crane and key songwriter. Eichstadt’s riffs shaped much of the band’s early sound and continued through all eras.

Cordell Crockett – Bass, Backing Vocals

Joined shortly before the band’s first big record deal. Crockett’s bass underpins many of UKJ’s biggest songs, and he has remained a constant in the band’s lineup.

Dave Fortman – Guitar, Backing Vocals

Became a full‑time guitarist in the early 1990s and also produced later work. Known for powerful riffs and later work with major rock acts.

Shannon Larkin – Drums (1994–97, 2010–21)

Replaced original drummer Mark Davis; Larkin’s heavier drumming style helped shape the Menace to Sobriety era. He later became a member of Godsmack.

Zac Morris – Drums (2021–present)

Joined more recently as touring and recording drummer following Larkin’s departure.

Additional past members include Mark Davis, Roger Lahr, Bob Fernandez, and Phil Hilgaertner.


📀 Discography

Studio Albums

  1. As Ugly as They Wanna Be (EP, 1991) – Breakthrough release that led to major label attention. 2× Platinum in the U.S.

  2. America’s Least Wanted (1992) – Debut full‑length with multiple hit singles.

  3. Menace to Sobriety (1995) – Darker, heavier sound.

  4. Motel California (1996) – Continued hard rock exploration.

  5. Uglier Than They Used Ta Be (2015) – First full album in nearly two decades.

  6. Rad Wings of Destiny (2022) – Latest studio album with a playful title parody.

Other Releases

  • Stairway to Hell (EP, 2012) – First release after reunification.

  • Compilations: The Very Best of Ugly Kid Joe: As Ugly as It Gets (1998), The Collection (2002)


🎶 Most Popular Songs

Some of the band’s most recognized and enduring tracks:

  • “Everything About You” – Breakout hit (featured in Wayne’s World), reached #3 UK, #9 US.

  • “Cat’s in the Cradle” – Cover hit with emotional resonance.

  • “Neighbor” – Classic from America’s Least Wanted.

  • “Busy Bee” – Another hit from early success.

  • “Milkman’s Son”, “So Damn Cool” & “Tomorrow’s World” – Fan favorites and rock radio staples.


🎤 Notable Concerts & Appearances

  • International tours in the 1990s following commercial success.

  • Performances supporting acts like Scatterbrain and Ozzy Osbourne in early U.S. tours.

  • Return to live shows globally after 2010, including European festival dates and tours through 2025.

  • Played the JogjaROCKarta Festival (Indonesia) and headlining shows in Europe (2025 tour data).


🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia

🌟 Did you know? Their band name was originally meant for a single one‑off show — but stuck permanently even after the gig was canceled.

📀 Their debut EP As Ugly as They Wanna Be became one of the earliest EPs to reach multi‑platinum status in the U.S.

🎬 “Everything About You” gained huge popularity after being featured in the movie Wayne’s World.

🤣 The album titles often include playful parodies — e.g., Rad Wings of Destiny nods to Judas Priest’s Sad Wings of Destiny.

🏆 In fan setlists worldwide, “Everything About You”, “Neighbor”, and “Cat’s in the Cradle” are among the most frequently played songs.


📌 Quick Recap

  • Genre: Hard Rock / Heavy Metal with humor & funk metal elements.

  • Formed: 1989 in California.

  • Breakthrough: Early ’90s chart hits & major tours.

  • Hiatus: 1997–2010.

  • Active Again: 2010–present with touring and new albums. 







More Albums:







15-minute mashup video. 348 rockstars, 84 guitarists, 64 songs, 44 drummers, 1 mashup



Download Full Covers Pack Collection 5.205 IMAGE COVER FILES / 2,09GB