EP review: THE UGLY GUYS – Rolling In The Deep

Conquest Music [Release date 09.06.23]

The Ugly Guys release this three track EP ahead of their album of cover versions, ‘Cover Your Tracks’, due out on August 25 on Conquest Music. Looking back to 2013 on this site this reviewer gave a lukewarm reception to their ‘Lost In The Badlands’, although since then my musical tastes have encompassed plenty of country and Americana music and become much more of a fan of these musical styles.

The Ugly Guys still features vocalist Paul Shuttleworth and guitarist, vocalist, pedal steel guitar and dobro player Vic Collins, who together formed 1970s pub rockers the Kursaal Flyers. The band’s line-up is completed by Steve Oliver (Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Keyboards, Vocals), Bob Clouter (Drums) and Nevil Kiddier (Bass, Vocals).

Fair play to them for tackling Adele’s 2011 hit and the EP’s title. The Ugly Guys give it a real bit of country swing & twang and certainly better than the original version!

Gene Pitney’s hit ’24 Hours From Tulsa’ may lack the distinctive vocal style of the original, however, the pedal steel guitar of Vic Collins adds an extra bit of sparkle and magic.

‘Streets of Bakersfield’ is the more obvious cover choice for a country band, as it was a US number 1 for Dwight Yoakham & Buck Owens. The duelling lead vocals of Nevil Kiddier and Steve Oliver work well on this.

The Ugly Guys have musical talent in spades and they certainly seem to enjoy doing these covers. The album due in a couple of months time will be one to grab a listen to and until then, see if you can mimic a Gene Pitney vocal… ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)