The Used @ Showbox SODO

I’m getting super old. Like really old where I’m finding myself at 15 year anniversary tours. The Used made it’s way to Seattle for two nights where they performed both their Self-Titled and In Love and Death. The second night was In Love and Death which is a 12 year old album that shaped me when I was a teenager. The Showbox Sodo was packed to the brim in the 21+ bar areas teeming with fans of all ages ready to relive their youth with this album. The set up included props that looked like they came right out of the album artwork with the iconic bleeding heart, headstones, and tree branches placed around the stage. 

It just didn’t feel the same without Quinn Allman on guitar but Justin Shekoski, from Saosin was a welcome replacement. Bert McCracken looked absolutely great and sounded better than I’ve ever heard him in a while. Because it was the final night The Used was performing in the Pacific Northwest my friends and I decided to make our way into the pit. Something I haven’t done in ages because I’m old and prefer the safety of bar balconies.  Tonight was special and we made our way into the bustling mosh pit where I immediately lost everyone and ended up just staying in the front for the view for the entirety of the set. Where you get to see things like Jeph’s glow in the dark bass strings and the “Trump is a cunt” t-shirt draped on Dan’s drum set.  I forgot what it was like to be up front in the middle of everything. The feeling of being pushed around and watching for crowd surfers as they fly above your head was a trip in itself. Being able to sing an entire album you’ve known by heart for the last 10+ years in a room full of fans and friends was the best experience and I’m so glad I was able to make it. I still wish this show was at the Roseland in Portland but I probably wouldn’t have had the up close and personal experience that night if I did. After finishing up the entire album Bert transitioned from “I’m a Fake” to Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff”  and ended with “Pretty Handsome Awkward” which was nice to have an encore after a full album set.