The Used

The Used
Brian Cox · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	The Used
Origin	Orem, Utah, United States
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Reprise, Hopeless, Big Noise
Associated acts	False Puppet, Basic Love, Red Sky, Letlive, Saosin

The Used is an American rock band formed in Orem, Utah, in 2000. The group rose to prominence in the early 2000s through a blend of post-hardcore, emo, and alternative rock that gained traction on radio, television, and festival circuits. With multiple studio albums, extensive touring, and a devoted fanbase, they have been associated with the resurgence of punk-derived mainstream rock alongside peers from the same era.

History

The band's origins trace to Orem, where members met via local scenes connected to Brigham Young University and regional venues in Utah County. Early rehearsals and demos led to regional shows alongside acts from the Los Angeles and Orange County, California circuits, culminating in a move to Salt Lake City and then a wider push to the national touring network. Their self-titled debut arrived during a period of crossover success for bands associated with Warped Tour, Vans Warped Tour bookings, and exposure on Fuse (TV channel) and MTV2. Touring packages with bands from the Epitaph Records and Reprise Records rosters increased visibility, leading to headline runs in the United States and support slots in Europe and Australia.

Lineup changes and personal struggles marked subsequent years: members pursued side projects and worked with producers affiliated with John Feldmann and studios in Los Angeles. Recording sessions took place in notable facilities linked to producers who have worked with artists on Interscope Records and Atlantic Records. The band navigated shifts in the music industry, from CD sales topping charts to streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, while maintaining a presence on festival bills like Reading Festival and Download Festival.

Musical style and influences

Sonically, the band merges elements of post-hardcore, emo, screamo, alternative rock, and punk. Critics and peers have compared their emotive vocal delivery to contemporaries from the emo revival of the early 2000s and linked their aggressive dynamics to bands on Victory Records and Fueled by Ramen. Influences cited in interviews and liner notes include acts such as Jawbreaker, Sunny Day Real Estate, Glassjaw, At the Drive-In, Quicksand, Refused, Nirvana, The Smiths, Alice in Chains, Deftones, Tool, The Cure, Pixies, Soundgarden, Jane's Addiction, Radiohead, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and songwriters from the Brill Building tradition. They have also acknowledged inspiration from producers and engineers linked to Butch Vig, Steve Albini, Rick Rubin, and session musicians who contributed to seminal releases on Geffen Records and Matador Records.

Harmonic choices, production textures, and lyrical themes draw from punk DIY ethics prevalent in scenes centered around venues like CBGB and The Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood), while melodic sensibilities show kinship with indie and alternative traditions found in releases from Sire Records and 4AD. The band integrated raw live energy with studio experimentation, using layered guitars, programmed elements, and dynamic vocal performance techniques.

Band members

Current and past personnel have included musicians who participated in side projects associated with other labels and acts. Notable members and collaborators have ties to groups on the Fearless Records and Hopeless Records rosters, and have performed at events curated by promoters such as Live Nation and AEG Presents. Members have worked with producers and engineers who have credits on albums released by Epitaph Records, Fueled by Ramen, Atlantic Records, and independent imprints. Touring lineups often featured musicians experienced in studio work for artists on Reprise Records and Interscope Records.

Discography

Their catalog spans multiple studio albums released across major and independent labels, EPs, singles, and live albums distributed during the shift from physical distribution to digital platforms like Bandcamp and iTunes Store. Albums have charted on lists compiled by organizations such as Billboard (magazine), and singles received airplay on networks including Kerrang! and BBC Radio 1. Reissues and anniversary editions have been issued in collaboration with specialty vinyl presses and boutique distributors linked to the independent record community.

Tours and live performances

Touring has been central to their career, with headline tours, amphitheater runs, and festival appearances across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The band participated in packages alongside artists from labels such as Fueled by Ramen, Epitaph Records, and Warner Music Group, and supported multidisciplinary festivals including SXSW and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in various capacities. Live collaborations involved guest appearances by performers affiliated with acts from Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Paramore, AFI, and The Smashing Pumpkins extended networks.

Awards and recognition

They have received nominations and honors from institutions and media outlets such as Billboard (magazine), MTV, Kerrang! Awards, and regional music awards in Utah and statewide cultural organizations. Press coverage in publications including Rolling Stone, NME, Spin (magazine), Alternative Press, and Kerrang! chronicled album releases and tours, while chart positions on lists published by Billboard and placements on curated festival bills signaled ongoing relevance within alternative rock and post-hardcore circuits.

Category:American rock music groups