Formed: December 2001
The Used formed in Orem, Utah. Drummer Branden Steineckert was the person who got
everyone together to make music. The area is known for its large Mormon population, not for its incredible punk rock scene,
so The Used had a lot of trouble finding venues that would let them play. "Everywhere we played, people wouldn't let us back
and stuff," explains drummer Branden Steineckert. "I think it would frighten some people."
Hit Songs: A Box
Full of Sharp Objects, The Taste of Ink.
Musical Influences:
Branden says that each member of The Used is influenced by different types of music
or bands. They try not to sound like punk rock, hardcore or emo bands that they like and instead just write what comes
naturally.
Did You Know?
Bert McCracken's parents kicked him out because he rebelled
against his Mormon upbringing.
Before being discovered by Reprise Records,
the band survived by pan-handling (begging) for change on the street.
Bert McCracken (a former drug user) says his bandmates were
a big part of keeping him "clean and sober."
The band has signed to do the 2003 Warped
Tour and is going to play dates at Ozzfest 2003.
Bert sometimes screams so much while performing, he pukes on
stage.
Quote:
"We
used to have a refrigerator that was always empty because all of our money went to barely being able to make rent. And now
here we are living out of a bus and we're able to eat a couple meals a day. We've got a record in stores, and we're doing
what we love for a living. It's unreal."
~ Branden Steineckert on the success of his band, The Used.
