Review: UGHH Proves Sundays are for Jumping (an evening at Happy Sundays Fest)

UGHH is the definition of high energy punk band. They're also a band with a soft spot for kids. This past Happy Sundays Fest at the Port City Tavern stage was the third time I've seen the band play live. Interestingly, even though this band plays quite frequently in the Los Angeles area, I've only seen the band play Happy Sundays events. The first time I saw them was back in 2022 when they played a pre-festival concert at DiPIazza's. I then caught them in 2023 during the festival and once again at this year's festival. 

UGHH at Happy Sundays Fest

If you're so interested, you can read my review and see a handful of my photos from this year's festival on US Rocker Music (here). 

Their set started off a bit inauspiciously for me. I was hanging out near the stage as the DJ music was playing when an elderly individual decided to start his own solo mosh pit, which is totally fine except for the fact that he sucker punched me in the stomach. I was like, seriously, you have all this space to do your solo mosh pit and you sucker punk me? The band did get the mosh pit going throughout their set. It was helped along when guitarist John Reid jumped off the stage and into the crowd to get things rolling. 

UGHH at Happy Sundays Fest

One can tell that the band works on their stage performance. There were multiple moments during the set when looks were exchanged, indicating that a joint leap into the air was about to commence. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Scotch jumped with such aggression early in the set that his wallet went flying out of his back pocket. 

Where does the kid come into this? I suspect that a mother and daughter were walking along the back alley next to the Tavern. The music was intriguing enough that they stopped on by to listen to the band. The daughter, a young tyke, got onto the back of the mobile stage by the drummer. The mother seemed to want her child to get off the stage, but the child refused. I happened to catch Reid's attention and pointed towards the girl. A few moments later, he walked over to the child and encouraged her to play his guitar. After some hesitation, she went for it and the crowd loved it.

UGHH at Happy Sundays Fest

As for their setlist, many of their songs are capitalized and you'll understand why when you catch them live.

Setlist: LIVIN WILL BE THE DEATH OF YOU, THE LENS, O III, BONESAW, Cruel Master, O, I TASTE THE TASTE, Decapitator, SO I DON'T.