The Used @ Relentless Garage - 5/08/2009

If one thing was learnt on the evening of The Used's intimate one-off gig at Relentless Garage in Highbury, it is that the band is back, and they're bigger and better. From the large queues outside the venue long before the doors were opened, it is clear to see that this was a much anticipated gig in the rock scene. The only support act, the up and coming Young Guns, certainly proved themselves worthy of their recent Kerrang! Award Nomination for Best British Newcomer. Frontman Gustav Wood gives off a certain likeability factor, whether it be due to his appealing inexperience when talking to the expectant crowd, or his sheer energy whilst performing. The band certainly gave it their all, spinning off fast moving tracks to get the watchers moving, as well as ensuring large-scale involvement through teaching the audience the chorus of Daughter of the Sea. It cannot be said that they failed to open in style for the main act of the evening, although the atmosphere certainly flew up a notch on the arrival of Bert McCracken and his guys onstage. Through the screams of the crowd, the band launched with all energy into Take It Away, immediately proving that they haven't lost their touch since they've been away. The fact that they had been toiling away the weekend before at Sonisphere Festival in Knebworth did not show as they steamed through other well known material including Bird and The Worm, Liar Liar, and I Caught Fire. This was followed by a short acoustic set, a sight not often associated with The Used, in which raw simplicity was shown through the sombre rendition of more mellow classics such as Yesterday's Feelings. This did not last for long however, as their vigour was soon felt again as they previewed Blood On My Hands from their soon-to-be-released album Artwork. If this song is anything to go by, the new album will certainly not disappoint fans. One thing that can be said is that the band as a whole, appear to have matured a great deal. Bassist Jeph Howard and guitarist Quinn Allman both proved why they have remained such an integral part of the band throughout it's existence, whilst relatively recently appointed drummer Dan Whitesides appears to have settled very well. Bert McCracken, bright-eyed and greasy mopped, did not disappoint the audience in his recital of the numerous jokes and anecdotes that he is renowned for inbetween songs. Through finishing their set with other classics such as Paralyzed and Pretty Handsome Awkward, the band left the audience hungry for more, enough so that after an encore they returned on stage for an acoustic version of On My Own and a final crowd-pumping beltout of Box Of Sharp Objects. The Used certainly gave all who attended a night to remember... at least until they return for their UK tour in September.