Manchester-by-Blackburn outfit, UGLY CLUB, are a band like no other. They forge their impressive sound in the combined fires of indie, rock, alternative metal, classic rock, prog rock and heavy metal, creating a style that can only be described as an instant classic. Add the absolutely amazing vocals of their lead singer Imogen, and we have a product that is export ready. I kid you not, UGLY CLUB is a full package that has big chances of conquering European markets. Is there any record label willing to take them on? In the (grim) post Brexit reality, British artists are sadly losing out when compared to their EU based colleagues in terms of label support, money, grants or tour assistance. So come on big A&R’s – we are making your life easier here by introducing you to your next big star.
“Wendy’s Waiting Room” album cover
Official bio: Emerging from the vibrant music scene of Manchester, UK, UGLY CLUB is poised to make waves in the alt-rock genre with their distinctive sound and innovative approach. Led by the charismatic Imogen Storey, UGLY CLUB’s genre-bending music spans from acoustic ballads to heavy rock anthems, all unified by compelling themes and powerful storytelling.
UGLY CLUB’s debut album, “Wendy’s Waiting Room” was issued on the 4th of October. This 10 track record offers about 30 minutes of music, a standard length for a modern independent release, with the majority of the songs being between 2 and a half and 3 minutes. It contains two previously released singles: “Eyes Wide Blind” that we reviewed on Indieterria in August this year and “Dirty Mouth”. Two other compositions: “Kill Me” and “What’s wrong” have previously been issued as digital stand alone tracks in 2023, but for the album both have been nicely remastered. “Kill Me” is probably my absolute favourite with its heavy swinging rhythm, RATM inspired pulsing bass and the grungy refrain. If you are not singing along to the na na na nah’s in the background after a second listen, then please consult a doctor, you may be going deaf! I truly hope that the band will consider shooting a video to this song – I refuse to believe I’m the only one thinking it’s one of their best!
Another track that needs a round of applause, special mention, a laurel wreath or even a Grammy, is the opening number called “Cut Your Teeth”. It starts with a buzzing guitar riff, marching drum and Imogen’s soft voice. Wait till you hear the chorus and you will know why I was blown away – Imogen’s powerful vocals are on full display. This girl can rattle windows with her voice and hand on heart, we hear a lot of great singers reviewing unsigned bands, but very few singers are so phenomenally good. I can only name two: Kim Jennett and Imogen Storey. Two ladies that are absolutely Gifted, with capital G.
UGLY CLUB photographed by Liam Maxwell
“Wendy’s Waiting Room ” is like a box of luxury chocolates – each song has a different filling and texture, but every one of them is superb. “Pain In My Chest” is slightly swinging and slow with beautiful melodic lines. “What’s Your Face So Long” is pop influenced, with electronic music in the background a la Daft Punk. “Down To The Bone” is a classic indie track with rock and roll intervals and “Skin Deep” is an electronica meets pop anthem that will heat up every party despite serious topics focusing on unrealistic beauty standards.
If anybody is wondering where the title of the album comes from, the answer is included in “What’s Wrong”, probably one of the most heartbreaking songs I have heard in a long time. Musically, it’s rock orientated, on the pop and electro pop side with great riffs, but just listen to the lyrics, and it’s no longer a track you want to dance to. This song deals with themes of not being believed, desperate fights to receive a diagnosis, being stuck in doctor’s waiting rooms. I suffer from long term illness, I’m also a cancer survivor and I know this feeling all too well – when I’m trying to get the doctors to seriously look at my symptoms. Everyone who is ill but didn’t receive the diagnosis yet, is stuck in this hellish place, between visits, nurses and triage sessions, trying to convince people that the feelings we get, are real and not just our delusions. It’s hard to convince NHS practitioners to look deeper when the basic care has been cut to the bone. We always hear that it’s anxiety, or nerves, depression, but we know our bodies and we know there is something wrong. And we are freaking scared for our lives. This is especially hard when you are a minority patient or a woman – doctors not only do not believe you, but treat you like a burden. This always reminds me of a lady I used to know on FB a few years ago named Elizabeth. She was a grass root artist, we helped out with links and opportunities. Elizabeth ended up several times in the A&E with excruciating pain, only to be sent out home branded as an attention seeker. This story doesn’t have a happy ending – a few days after her last visit to the hospital, she fainted and was taken back by ambulance. Only then did doctors take a closer look to realize that she had an advanced stomach cancer. She passed away a week later. I miss talking to her really badly, maybe she would still be here if somebody believed her earlier? I know, this review is getting personal, but I know many women and men stuck in Wendy’s Waiting Rooms, where they sit and wonder if they will receive a diagnosis or what it will be. Next time I will see Imogen, I will give her a big hug for writing a song about it – we truly need to fix the communications between doctors and patients in the UK. Also, normalize looking for a second opinion – our lives depend on that!
“Wendy’s Waiting Room” closing number is a ballad – a song named ” It’s In My Blood” – the closest UGLY CLUB ever got to Americana/country/folk. It’s a great summarizer for the entire album. Again mentions feeling of not fitting in, of fighting to be accepted, fighting to accept who we are, making mistakes, being stressed but with a huge dose of hope. “I don’t want to feel like this anymore” sings Imogen and I truly believe that changes are on the way. A fantastic way of wrapping things out, leaving the listener with a tear in their eye and a sense that the future is going to be ok.
I absolutely adore this album. Not a single filler here, all tracks produced by Imogen Storey and James Duckworth. That’s 5 stars from us at Vanadian Avenue, please go and support the band by seeing them live. They are playing Manchester on the 13th of December at the Lodge (Deaf Institute) alongside Manchester based The Empty Page.
Tickets are still available at:
https://www.eventim.co.uk/noapp/event/19190345/?affiliate=BAN
UGLYCLUB online:
https://www.uglyclubofficial.com/
https://www.instagram.com/weareuglyclub/
https://www.tiktok.com/@weareuglyclub?lang=en
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5s7VdvEojBKMO8vu2EbGmY?si=LJz-dwxfQFC091RfBryIRA
https://www.facebook.com/weareuglyclubofficial
https://www.facebook.com/groups/392821558287023
https://x.com/weareuglyclub
https://www.youtube.com/@weareuglyclub
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 