I read a post today from Howard “H” Smith of Acid Reign, where he surmised that the reason Metal fans grieve so deeply when a legend dies is because our investment in Metal and rock is much deeper than most other music fans, which he originally wrote when Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman died in 2013. For Metal and rock fans, it’s a lifelong affair; therefore, we invest deeply in the band and its musicians. They become the patriarchs, and when we lose one, it’s almost a personal loss, for these characters have been with us our entire lives. In a period of grief, we look to those who give us comfort, and they don’t come more comforting than Ugly Kid Joe. 
Ugly Kid Joe
The Fleece, Bristol – 23 July 2025
Words and photography: Paul Hutchings
As frequent visitors to the UK over the past four decades, the Californians clearly love the UK, and throughout the set, Ugly Kid Joe’s frontman Whitfield Crane reminisces about previous visits.
He’s something a bit special, is Whitfield, as we’ve commented several times in past MetalTalk articles. A master showman, he effortlessly gets the crowd eating from the palm of his hand. Relentless energy sees him restlessly moving around the small stage, although he’s one of those frontmen happy to hang over the crowd from the famous venue’s pillars. Left to right, front to back, it’s impossible to take your eyes off him.
Predominantly a crowd-pleasing set, the latest tour is crammed with classics. VIP into Neighbour into C.U.S.T. means the hot and sweaty venue soon gets a few degrees warmer, with the fans singing along word-for-word. Whitfield clearly clocks this early and is keen to give the crowd ample opportunity for audience participation. They respond with enthusiasm, and it’s a real party on a Wednesday night in Bristol.
If you were to look up the word enjoyment in the dictionary, don’t be surprised if you see the definition as Ugly Kid Joe. With infectious tunes and onstage positive energy, the room is one big Cheshire grin. Failure and Kill the Pain are two of three songs from 2022’s Rad Wings of Destiny, a nod to their most recent albums.
Cats in the Cradle is sung with gusto and manages to shut up the couple at the bar having the loudest conversation in the world for a couple of minutes. Whitfield is a delight, telling stories and ensuring that he gives the band their time in the spotlight. It’s tight as a ball of elastic bands, and musically extremely pleasing. Not a band I’d stick on to listen to that often, but when the likes of Devil’s Paradise and Milkman’s Son rip along, I’m left wondering why not.
Inevitably, Ugly Kid Joe pay their tribute to Ozzy. With R.I.P. Ozzy on the bass drum and Whitfield wearing a Sabbath Back To The Beginning shirt with pride, the band tear into Paranoid and get the place bouncing again. A lengthy Ozzy chant booms around the room, and I wonder how often we’ll hear that at shows over the coming weeks.
It’s been immense. Never dull, their status as one of the best live bands around is assured. Before the crowd spills out into the cool evening air, Ugly Kid Joe put on one final show with Everything About You. This is a band already in the legendary category, and their affinity with the crowd tonight demonstrates that H may just have a point.
