Hard Rock Heaven on a Monday Ugly Kid Joe Ignite Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms
- Aleksandra Hogg
- Jul 23
- 5 min read
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 21st July 2025
IMAGES / WORDS ALEKSANDRA HELENA HOGG
Monday evening surprised me again with the turnout. The line to get in stretched far beyond the club's gates. This was a very good sign, as the beginning of the week doesn’t usually promise a large crowd — but this time, it was the opposite. You could feel the long weekend in the air, because that evening, the legends of American hard rock – Ugly Kid Joe – were taking the stage!
Everyone showed up at the Rescue Rooms on time, in a great mood to party. Monday’s schedule was quite short, but as it turned out, very intense. Two bands took the stage, including the hot guys straight from California – Ugly Kid Joe.
Eureka Machines first to take the stage were the guys from Eureka Machines, who describe themselves as pop punk — but there’s undoubtedly more rebellion in their music. For a band formed in 2007, they boast a whopping six albums, including the brand new Everything. When researching their music, it’s worth noting that the band was founded by guitarist Chris Catalyst, who also handles vocals and lyrics. Chris is also known for his work in numerous other bands, such as Ugly Kid Joe (kudos for rocking two shows in a row), The Sisters of Mercy, Ginger Wildheart, and Ghost — the last of which I wouldn’t have expected.
Their rather unconventional appearance reminded me of the Oi! subculture: ties, shirts, and creeper-style footwear. Usually, when I see gentlemen dressed like this, I assume it’s going to be a more intense and enjoyable concert — one with lots of jumping, clapping, and singing. The guys did an absolutely fantastic job warming up the crowd for the headliner.
If I had to describe their music, I’d say it was definitely “happy music played by even happier guys.” The great thing about concerts in small clubs is that you can easily interact with the crowd — and on Monday, the crowd was very responsive. This time, it wasn’t just about singing along or clapping; rock ’n’ roll fans in Nottingham were even treated to... biscuits. “You won’t get that kind of experience at big arena concerts,” the vocalist assured us — and he was absolutely right.
The music Eureka Machines performed was a blend of punk rock and classic rock ’n’ roll, with elements of raw punk and broader rock sounds. There’s nothing groundbreaking about it, but then again, this isn’t quantum science — it’s music. It’s meant to bring people joy — both those on stage and those in the audience — and that was certainly the case here.
Was it a good time? Absolutely. Every time I see a band for the first time, I ask myself if I’d like to see them again. In this case, the answer is: BUT OF COURSE!
Ugly Kid Joe is already a legend of American hard rock. The California sun and rock 'n' roll are palpable in their music! It must be said that for a band that started 36 years ago, they still absolutely rule the scene. Their history is long and complex — they even took a few years off — but what matters most is the here and now.
They may not have an enormous discography, but every Ugly Kid Joe fan knows each album by heart. I’d already seen the band live once before and knew exactly what to expect. My only concern was how they would fare in a small club, as I’d previously seen them on the main stage at Bloodstock Festival two years ago. Personally, I love bands with a healthy dose of rock 'n' roll, so I was really looking forward to the evening.
Monday’s setlist was packed with well-known hits — which the audience eagerly sang along to — as well as deep cuts from the darker corners of their albums. Of course, there were also some excellent covers. “Cat’s in the Cradle” (a Harry Chapin cover) brought back memories — I remember learning to play that song on bass back in the day, so I joined in on the sing-along. And then came the AC/DC classic, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” — as if the night didn’t already have enough rock 'n' roll!
My absolute favorites of the evening were the more rock-oriented tracks that really get my blood pumping: “Goddamn Devil” — definitely one of my favorite Ugly Kid Joe songs — along with “Devil’s Paradise” (yep, more devil music), and “I’m Alright” from the same album. That third track, especially, often plays through my speakers. I love to repeat the chorus to myself — it’s simple, but it lifts your spirits.
When I see bands on stage that took their first steps over 30 years ago, I always wonder: how are they still so motivated? There’s no secret philosophy — the fact is, Ugly Kid Joe is still in excellent form after all this time. Seeing the band exude such positive energy and share every second of their stage experience with the audience made my heart swell.
Whitfield Crane, the band’s vocalist, often stood dangerously close, balancing on the edge of the stage just to be nearer to the fans. Whitfield isn’t just a brilliant frontman — he pours incredible energy and humor into every performance, all while gracefully dodging stage monitors like a pro.
Ugly Kid Joe is comfort music. It makes you feel good, like the wind of freedom is blowing through your hair — no matter your age or your state of mind. Thrilling solos, melodic choruses, heartfelt lyrics, and a perfectly paced tempo. What more could you want from life? Here, it was all served on a silver platter.
Their music is absolutely ageless. In fact, it only gains power with time. I love the California rock scene — they really do have the perfect conditions for creating such laid-back, feel-good music.
I don’t think a single person was bored that evening. Between the fast, energetic rock 'n' roll numbers, there were slower ballads that gave us time to catch our breath — especially appreciated when you’ve been jumping around for a while.
For me, the most important thing isn’t just energy or charisma — it’s the connection between musicians and fans. And on that night, you could feel the magic in the air. The crowd completely gave in to the experience — and it was beautiful.
Ugly Kid Joe deserved that warm welcome and the incredible audience they got. It was amazing to see them live at the Rescue Rooms. For me, it was a masterpiece — not just because of the bands on stage, but because of the dedicated fans who showed up on that Monday evening in Nottingham.
SET LIST
Intro
VIP
Neighbor
C.U.S.T.
Panhandlin' Prince
Goddamn Devil
Kill the Pain
So Damn Cool
No One Survives
Devil's Paradise
Cat's in the Cradle (Harry Chapin cover)
I'm Alright
Cloudy Skies
Jesus Rode a Harley
Failure
Milkman's Son
Tomorrow's World
That Ain't Livin'
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC cover)
Everything About You
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