BITE ME! The Used Live

The Used @ The Wiltern Theatre
10/14/04

The Used rock! They know it, the kids know it and, who knows, maybe even the kids’ parents know it too. On this night they were here in support of the new album In Love And Death - a record I have been getting to know intensely, but have not loved yet, for about a week now.

Their show was a great full on noisy monster, with top notch production and bottom end a-go-go that throbbed. The band also had some new lights, which they used fully to their advantage. I arrived at the show late and melancholy for reasons not necessary to explain. As a result, I missed supporting acts Head Automatica, Bronx, and the full metal racket of Atreyu. Sorry about that, but it’s only Bert’s crew that I care about right now anyway.

The Used opened to a pumping heart and tore into the opener on the record, "Take it Away". Bert appeared to be in great shape, and his voice was huge. He emits a great deal of love towards the fans, and he had his foot on the monitors like he was in Iron Maiden or something back in the day. He enjoys telling the kids when and why he wrote the songs and they react back with cheers and cries.

The band really plugged the new shit as the set included the snap-along pop of "Lunatic Fringe," which sounds like the bastard offspring of Faith No More’s "Edge of The World". It’s incredibly happy sounding and incredibly cute, but I’m not sure all in the crowd were biting

I loved the show. I got a couple of Jacks, stood near the back with plenty of space, and let the ensuing chaos take me over. I found the room to boogie, freak out, and scream the lyrics so loud that my throat is still sore. The Used are a real pleasure as a means to escape. They have an ability to make me lose my inhibitions, and I felt a bit like a proud uncle seeing how big they have become. My only negative was that the show seemed so short—about 45 minutes I think—which was a shame because I wanted more much more. They came back for one encore and then it was over. Of course, the next time they swing this way I’ll be back. To me, The Used are special like that. But guys, please play longer next time - you little tease. -Glen