Last month, rock mainstays The Used introduced their landmark ninth studio album with the confirmation of Toxic Positivity. Due out May 19th via Big Noise, the project was first previewed late last year when the band dropped the infectiously anthemic single in “Fuck You” to close out 2022.
Paired with the news of the full length, the band have delivered a second, straight away rock single, that offered a glimpse of the range of the new project with, “People Are Vomit”. Some two decades into their career, the band's potent one-two of singles showcased a songwriting expertise that could only come from a collective operating at their peak.
An amalgam of memorable hooks brimming with melody, countered by energized, animated, even outright aggressive rock compositions, The Used's stylistic signature is anchored in its catharsis as much as its charisma. Offering something for everyone, the band's knack for knowing when to floor the throttle and when to ease off the gas is apparent - making the prospect of new music from the band something fans and casuals alike can look forward to.
Establishing the brand as one of the most consistent over the span of the last two decades, The Used lean into their influences by sourcing the best parts of various categories of rock. Punk, hardcore, grunge, alternative - few bands understand the symmetry between subcategories the way The Used does, let alone have the body of work to prove it.
Ahead of the arrival of album nine and the start of a campaign that includes a rigorous touring slate beginning this spring with the Creative Control Tour along with Pierce the Veil, the band's drummer Dan Whitesides offered some insight to the kind of lasting influences that continue to resonate.
Discussing the ten albums that changed his life, Whitesides highlights the how having a keen ear is an obvious requisite when it comes to The Used.
NIRVANA - NEVERMIND
Whtesides - I remember the first time I saw the video for "Teen Spirit" I thought that Kurt Cobain looked like me and my friends. I connected with that album immediately. Dave Grohl's drumming inspired me to be a heavy hitter and those songs inspired me and my friends to start bands.
THE MARS VOLTA - DE-LOUSED IN THE COMATORIUM
Whitesides - This album's rhythms, timings and insane drumming is what turned me on. John Theodore and his style of drumming are incredible. I heard it and I studied it. It was such a unique album to come out at that time and still is today.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE - SONGS FOR THE DEAF
Whitesides - The songs, the recording style, Dave Grohl's drumming, the uniqueness of the songs, the catchiness of these heavy rock songs are what I loved about this album. It’s timeless and it’s a classic and I loved it the second I heard it. The first time I heard "No One Knows" I was in my van with my friend Levi on the way to work and we were both blown away. We had to find out what band this was!
WEEZER - THE BLUE ALBUM
Whitesides - Catchy songs and heavy guitars. This album is such a unique sounding album. Nothing sounded like it at the time. Front to back every song is great. My brother and I listened to it everyday.
MISFITS - EVILIVE
Whitesides - The first time I heard this album I was hooked. So dirty but so catchy and it has an evilness to it. You couldn’t just get online and search what this band looked like or watch videos or any of that shit. This version of the band was long gone when I first heard them. The mystery was amazing.
SNAPCASE - LOOKINGLASSELF
Whitesides - This album was my first real door opener for hardcore music. I had just bought a shitty stereo and speakers from Checker Auto parts for my Dodge Omni. I thought it was a kick ass system (laughs).I put on this album and the second that it kicked in it blew my mind. The track "Deceived" is one that I listened to over and over.
BRAID - FRAME AND CANVAS
Whitesides - The drumming on this album I love a lot. The choppy guitars and drums matched in a way that I hadn’t heard before. I probably listened to this album everyday for a year.
MUSE - ORIGIN OF SYMMETRY
Whitesides - It’s Muse ha. So heavy and catchy with drums that hold it down and keep it together. The recording and the unique sound is what I love about this album. It’s a tight album with big drums.
REFUSED - SONGS TO FAN THE FLAMES OF DISCONTENT
Whitesides - Once again a heavy unique hardcore album that blew my mind. Heavy, fast guitars and big drums. Screaming singing and for the time and what was going on this album and band didn’t sound like all the rest but fit right in.
THE USED - LIES FOR THE LIARS
Whitesides - My first album with the band. Changed my life forever.
Toxic Positivity from The Used arrives May 19th via Big Noise. Pre-order the album – HERE
Tickets for the Creative Control Tour are now available – HERE.
Get a full list of dates and cities below.
Creative Control Tour Dates:
May 23 – Austin, TX – HEB Center @ Cedar Park^+
May 24 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore Harrah’s New Orleans^+
May 26 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa^+
May 27 – Boca Raton, FL – Mizner Park Amphitheatre^+
May 28 – St Augustine, FL – The Saint Augustine Amphitheater^+
May 30 – Atlanta, GA – Coca Cola Roxy^+
May 31 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium^+
June 2 – Toronto, ON – RBC Echo Beach^+
June 3 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion^+
June 6 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union LIVE!*^+
June 7 – Wallingford, CT – Oakdale Theatre^+
June 9 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage @ The Mann^+
June 10 – Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena^+
June 12 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage^#
June 13 – New York, NY – The Rooftop @ Pier 17^#
June 15 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center^#
June 16 – Moon Twp, PA – UPMC Events Center^#
June 17 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center^#
June 19 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live @ 20 Monroe^#
June 21 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center^#
June 22 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee^#
June 24 – Dallas, TX – FairPark*^#
June 28 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex^#
June 29 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre @ The Grand Sierra Resort^#
July 1 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre^#
July 2 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre^#
* Non-Live Nation Date
^ w/ Don Broco
+ w/ Deathbyromy
# w/ girlfriends
