The Used Experience II

The last time I watched The Used live, I wasn't at the mosh pit. Then I promised to myself that the next time I watch them, I'll be at the mosh pit. 

Actually, this was the third time they visited Philippines, but this was their first major concert. The first time they visited was to headline Smash Project Festival last 2012 and the second time was to headline Bazooka Rocks Festival last 2014.

I went to their first concert here in Manila because I was so excited seeing them live. It even gave me goosebumps just upon learning that they will be here in Manila for the Smash Project Festival. But I didn't go to their second concert here in Manila because of two main reason. First, the ticket was so damn expensive and second, the lineup of Bazooka Rocks Festival last year wasn't my type. Finally, The Used's major concert.

As promised to myself,  I was at the mosh pit. Watch my "The Used Experience" video:

The Used Experience

The Used opened the show by performing their first song ever wrote "Maybe Memories." But before Bert proceed with their second song, he expressed his gratitude to the fans and let'em know how they love performing here in the Philippines before performing "Take It Away" followed by "The Bird and the Worm" and "Listening." After singing their first four songs, Bert told the fans that this was their best time in Manila and personally invited everyone to be a child once again before performing "I Caught Fire." Bert then thanked Justin Shekoski of Saosin who filled in for Quinn Alman, who's on a year long hiatus before performing "Taste Of Ink" immediately followed by "All That I've Got" and "Buried Myself Alive." Then Bert thanked the fans for letting them play their old songs before proceeding with "Blue and Yellow."

Before performing their next song, The Used asked the fans if they already got their latest album "Imaginary Enemy." He encouraged everyone to steal it off the internet if they don't have the album yet. "The Used is not about money, The Used is about love," he said, before performing their first single "Cry" of the said album. Then Bert noticed and acknowledged that there are many The Used hardcore fans that night and asked them to make a big circle to start an old school punk mosh pit before performing "The Best Of Me." Bert then shared his story on how music saved his life and how it will continue to save him until the day he dies before performing "On My Own" followed by "Pretty Handsome Awkward," then curtain call.

The Used then thanked the fans and left the stage. It was like back then when I first watched them. People started chanting "WE WANT MORE." Well, I was chanting "ENCORE" since I'm aware what their encore song is. Then they went back to the stage but this time they played Rage Against The Machine medley for a few minutes as you can watch on the video below before playing the intro of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" which is their tradition before proceeding with their encore "A Box Full of Sharp Objects" then went back with Rage Against the Machine medley and Bert started singing "fuck you I wont do what you tell me" which is the lyrics of the song "Killing In The Name Of" before thanking the fans and leaving the stage once again, for real.

The Used is one of my favorite live-acts. Bert knows how to connect and talk to fans during shows. As for me, I know how to appreciate musicians and enjoy their shows. I'm not one of those people who are just filming and taking pictures of the entire freaking show. I documented this show to remind myself how amazing this show was and to commemorate one of my favorite bands. FYI, I join mosh pits while documenting rock shows.

The Used playing Rage Against The Machine medley.

The Used Experience

I've been a fan of The Used since 2004. My buddy lent me The Used sophomore album "In Love and Death" and I immediately like what I heard. That's the first time I ever listened The Used and ever since I've been listening to their music. Since "In Love and Death" was the 2nd album, I listened to the 1st album as well. Since then, I'm always excited to listen to their new materials. What I love about them is putting all of you into your music. All of that emotion about life. Your anger, your background, your emotion. your rage, your stories. People can relate on their songs. Learning that The Used will be in Manila for the Smash Project Fest gave me goosebumps and overexcitement.

Watching The Used live was one of the best night of my life. It was fuckin' awesome! They opened the show by singing "Take It Away" followed by "The Bird and the Worm" and "Listening." After singing their first three songs, Bert called his Malaysian friend to help him out singing "I Caught Fire." Bert then promoted their forthcoming album "Vulnerable" and performed it's first single "I Come Alive." Bert then took some break talking to the fans before singing "Taste of Ink" where the fans sing along "As long as you're alive and care, I promise I will take you there" with an outstanding ovation. After that song, they immediately played "All That I've Got" and Bert had fun with the fans before finishing the song (where you can see on the video below). Bert asked the fans to request a song for them to sing. The fans requested the classic hit from their debut album which is "Blue and Yellow" and the band immediately played it followed by "Paralyzed."

After The Used granted the fans request, it's time for Bert's request to the fans, MOSH PIT! Bert asked to make a big circle and the fans begin to dance with the song "The Best of Me" and "Pretty Handsome Awkward" as a curtain call. The Used thanked the fans and left the stage. People were unsatisfied including me coz I wanna see them perform "A Box Full of Sharp Objects" which is my most favoriteof all live performances of The Used. People started chanting "WE WANT MORE" so The Used went back to the stage and brought Chris Carraba of Dashboard Confessional with them. I got goosebumps when they played the intro of Nirvana's song "Smells Like Teen Spirit". They used it as an intro to their encore which is "A Box Full of Sharp Objects" and I was like FUCK YEAH! Chris Carraba assisted Bert on singing the song and it's fuckin' awesome!

I was fuckin' jealous to the people who were able join the mosh pit. I swear to God I was fuckin' jealous. The Used promised to be back so I'll join the mosh pit next time.

Taste of Ink / All That I've Got