The Untold Story of The Used: How Utah's Isolation Sparked a Musical Revolution

When you think of musical hotspots in the United States, Utah may not immediately come to mind. However, for the band The Used, this often-overlooked state played a crucial role in shaping their unique sound and journey. In a recent conversation with bassist Jepha, he shared insights into how the band's humble beginnings and the challenges they faced helped catapult them into the limelight.

The Birth of a Band in the Beehive State

According to Jepha, the isolation of Utah was a double-edged sword. While it limited exposure to outside influences, it also fostered a tight-knit community of musicians. "We're all from an hour outside Salt Lake City," he explains. "In the late '90s, there were local bands playing together with nothing in common. You'd have a pop band followed by a hip-hop act, then a metal group."

• Limited Venues: The lack of performance spaces forced bands to get creative. "You'd play house parties, skate parks, veteran halls—anywhere you could," Jepha adds.
• Connection Through Music: This scarcity of venues meant that anyone with a musical inclination got to know each other, nurturing an environment ripe for collaboration.

The Search for a Voice

Despite the camaraderie, the founding members of The Used struggled to find the right frontman. "We were dropouts from a lot of other bands," Jepha recalls. "The three of us wrote songs like 'Maybe Memories' to audition singers." It was in 2000 that they discovered Bert McCracken, a familiar face who would become the band's charismatic lead singer.

From Local Gigs to Major Labels

Success came swiftly for The Used. Within just a year of forming, they signed with a major label. Their sophomore album, In Love and Death, marked a significant turning point as they achieved four consecutive albums in the top ten charts.

Defining Moments on the Road

Jepha vividly remembers the moment he realized they had made it: “It was when we played our first Warped Tour in 2003. Before that, we were renting cars from family members for tours. Then, all of a sudden, we thought, ‘We can do this.’” Yet, the band remains grounded, with Jepha emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement. “You can always get better. I always want to enhance my skills as a bassist and songwriter.”

The Evolution of Their Creative Process

Over the years, The Used has adapted their songwriting and recording techniques. Jepha describes the early days: “We would sit in a room jamming, which could take hours or even months. Now, if someone has an idea, we record it and build from there. However, I still prefer the spontaneity of jamming.”

The Thrill of Live Performances

For Jepha, the excitement of live shows is unparalleled. “When you record, that’s it. But in live performances, you can change things up. As a bassist, I’m in the background, so I can add little variations without anyone noticing. Playing shows is where we have fun; the travel and waiting are just the work part of touring,” he shares.

A Cautionary Tale for Florida

During their upcoming performance in Florida, Jepha quips that they plan to keep things low-key, given their history in the state. “No one’s gotten eaten by an alligator,” he jokes, but then adds more seriously, “We’ve had three arrests in Florida. Bert got arrested for smoking pot on stage, another time for swearing and inciting a riot, and a guitarist for loitering.”

Enduring Through the Chaos

Despite the ups and downs, The Used has remained resilient. “We’ve been around since 2000. There have been conflicts, but we always work through them and come out stronger on the other side,” Jepha reflects.

Catch The Used live with the Plain White T's and Raue on October 4 at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are available for $53.50 via Ticketmaster.

What do you think?