Review: The Used – The Used

I’m not quite sure when my fondness for a band called The Used started. I seem to remember hearing about a hyped band, from an article in Alternative Press, where producer and Goldfinger founder John Feldman was gushing over this band that he helped get signed to a major label. The Used were comprised of lead singer Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Branden Steineckert and guitarist Quinn Allman, and their incredible band chemistry was able to capture early and inescapable magic on their self-titled debut. The first track that I ever heard from The Used was “A Box Full of Sharp Objects” from a Warped Tour compilation, and it became increasingly evident to me that this band demanded to be taken seriously. The lead single from their debut LP was an abrasive, wall of sound effort that captured a punk rock spirit paired with screamo vocals that many other bands would emulate later in our scene. The Used would go on to sell over a million copies in the United States and cement the band’s legacy as one of the emo/punk scene’s primary front-runners.

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The Used Cancel Festival Shows

The Used

The Used have canceled their upcoming festival shows:

I have always been open about my struggle with mental health and have recently found myself facing new and overwhelming challenges. For this reason, I won’t be able to play the upcoming shows at Slam Dunk. I am so sorry but needed to make this decision to focus on professional treatment and self-care. Performing live for The Used fans is one of my greatest joys, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. We have the best fans in the world, thank you for your undying support.

With Love, Robbie and The Used

The Used Hoping to Release New Tracks This Year

The Used

Bert McCracken talks with Alt. Press about what The Used are up to and when we may see new music:

We had so many tracks from the recording sessions we did last year, almost a full record worth of songs. So, I think the Used fans can maybe expect to hear a few new tracks this year. We’re just trying to stay as busy as we can, and hopefully we’ll be back playing shows before 2025. Jeez, get us back on the road… But hopefully in the next little while, we’ll hear some new tracks from the Used. There [are] also some more features coming up. I’ve been lending my voice out as much as I can while I’m at home. Actually, [there’s] something coming up in the next couple of weeks, so it should be really exciting.

Machine Gun Kelly Releases Deluxe Album

Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly has released a deluxe version of Tickets to My Downfall to all streaming platforms. It features six new songs, including “Body Bag” featuring Yungblud and Bert from The Used. The song was inspired by Fall Out Boy’s “Dance, Dance” and the band approved the clearance.

Sidenote: I think what’s been interesting about this album is to see the homages, or some may say pop-punk clichés, being repurposed in a modern way. To my ears there’s a whole lot in this album that I’ve heard before, from Good Charlotte, to Blink, to Fall Out Boy, but it finds just enough of a way to feel new. I don’t think any of the aforementioned bands could have gotten away with it. There’s no expectations. When Blink-182 releases a new album everyone has an idea of what they want it to sound like, but this is free of those and therefore allowed to stand on its own. I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that it works far more than it doesn’t. “Forget Me Too” is a hit.

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