UGLY KID JOE hit the tail end of the 'Hair Band' boom but made a significant, if brief, global impact with the 'Everything About You' hit single. The band was founded in Isla Vista, California during 1989 by university students vocalist Whitfield Crane, guitarist Klaus Eichstadt and drummer Mark Davis. Previous to UGLY KID JOE, bassist Cordell Crockett had also had a stint as a roadie for LOVE/HATE. The group actually settled on the title UGLY KID JOE as a parody on the headliner's of one of their early gigs PRETTY BOY FLOYD.

The band's debut mini-album 'Ugly As They Wanna Be', recorded by Crane, Eichstadt, Davis together with second guitarist Roger Lahr, displayed their less than serious approach in keeping with their inclusion on the hit comedy movie 'Wayne's World'. The June 1991 album, co-produced by Ryan Dorn and which included a cover version of BLACK SABBATH's 'Sweet Leaf', was titled after a parody on 2 LIVE CREW's 1989 album 'As Nasty As They Wanna Be'. Boosted by this exposure UGLY KID JOE soon found themselves with a top ten American single and huge club hit with 'Everything About You'.In the UK the single reached no. 3 on the national charts. The 12" and CD versions of this single also included a version of AC/DC's 'Sin City'.

By the time 'As Ugly As They Wanna Be' had run it's course the album had shifted more than two million units. The band kept the momentum going with an even bigger hit single, a somewhat mellower offering in a cover of HARRY CHAPIN's 'Cat's In The Cradle' peaking at no. 6 on the Billboard charts. Further radio hits came with 'Neighbor' and 'Busy Bee'. The accompanying MTV regular play videos of these songs paving the way for the Mark Dodson produced 'America's Least Wanted' album, recorded at Devonshire Studios in North Hollywood, to chart easily at no. 27 in the USA in June 1992. Notably the track 'Goddamn Devil' was highlighted by a guest vocal performance from JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford.

Touring to promote the album and eager to shake off intimations of being a joke band UGLY KID JOE found a useful support slot on OZZY OSBOURNE's 1992 tour. In June 1992 Lahr departed having his place filled by ex-SUGARTOOTH man Dave Fortman. A further line-up shuffle came in 1994 when erstwhile WRATHCHILD AMERICA and SOULS AT ZERO drummer Shannon Larkin supplanted Davis.

In June 1995 the Garth Richardson produced album 'Menace To Sobriety' fared well in Europe but received little support in the USA, where it only attained a no. 178 placing on the charts. The album closed with an uncredited track 'Patrick Morrison Might Be My Daddy'. Both 'Milkman's Son' and 'Tomorrow's World' were issued as singles but failed to register. UGLY KID JOE were then dropped by Mercury Records.

UGLY KID JOE bounced back with 'Motel California' through Castle Records in 1996 but impact globally was minimal. Keeping the band in the limelight Crane scored a further hit single with his collaboration with MOTȪRHEAD on the track 'Born To Raise Hell'. MOTȪRHEAD mainman Lemmy returned the favour and gave his tonsils an airing on the track 'Little Red Man'. Crane also lent his vocal services as a guest on JUDAS PRIEST guitarist GLENN TIPTON's 1997 solo album 'Baptism Of Fire'. However, that same year UGLY KID JOE disbanded.

The singer surprised many by joining LIFE OF AGONY in 1998. His tenure was brief and by 2000 he was fronting PALE DEMONS (later MEDICATION), the new band assembled by ex-MACHINE HEAD and SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader, ex-OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Robert Trujillo and another erstwhile member of SOULFLY drummer Roy Mayorga.

Crane and Eichstadt reunited in 2000 to appear on a version of 'Live Wire' featured on the AC/DC tribute album 'Back In Black'. Shannon Larkin had helped co-found Hardcore Punk act AMEN in 1999 and would also deputise for GLASSJAW. Larkin would also step in at short notice in place of Mike Bordin for one date at the close of the 1999 'Ozzfest' touring festival by playing drums for both OZZY OSBOURNE and BLACK SABBATH in the same day.

By the summer of 2002 the ex-UGLY KID JOE drummer was working in the studio for the high profile GODSMACK. Meantime, erstwhile guitarist Dave Fortman was making his mark as a producer with the Stoner Sludge 'all star' band JONES'S LOUNGE assembled by former EXHORDER frontman Kyle Thomas. Besides his activities behind the desk, Fortman would also lay down guitar on the record. His major break as a producer came with the massive selling EVANESCENCE album 'Fallen'.

2004 found Whitfield Crane uniting with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' Rocky George to cut a version of 'Master Of Puppets' for the METALLICA 'Metallic Assault' tribute album through Big Deal Records.

Whitfield Crane and Shannon Larkin returned in early 2006 fronting ANOTHER ANIMAL, this project a collaboration with GODSMACK members guitarist Tony Rombola and bass player Robbie Merrill.