There is something special about photographing a band whose music hits a little differently as you get older.

On October 8, The Used brought their unmistakable blend of post-hardcore, emo, and raw emotion to a sold-out show at the Majestic Ventura Theater, with Modern Color opening the night. The historic venue, with its old-school theater atmosphere, felt like a fitting backdrop for a band whose music has remained a staple of alternative culture for more than two decades.

I had been looking forward to photographing The Used, so getting the opportunity to capture them in such an intimate setting made the night even more memorable.

The atmosphere was incredible, with longtime fans mixed in with younger faces and even kids experiencing the band for themselves. It almost felt like the epitome of a family show, at least until “Fuck You” came around. Before the song even started, frontman Bert McCracken had the crowd chanting along, and when he shouted “FUCK ICE,” the transition into the song felt almost too perfect. It was one of those moments that reminded me how music can bring a room together while giving people something to say.

It’s moments like these that make The Used such an enduring force in the scene. They’ve never been a band that shies away from expressing themselves, whether through emotionally charged lyrics, politically outspoken moments, or the chaotic energy that has defined their sound since the early 2000s. More than 25 years into their career, that sense of identity is still very much intact.

There’s also something special about seeing a band with this kind of history in a theater setting. The Used helped shape an entire era of alternative music, and hearing their songs in a room filled with people of different ages is a reminder of just how far that influence reaches. For longtime listeners, it’s a chance to reconnect with music that helped define their younger years. For newer fans, it’s an opportunity to experience the band that helped build the scene they’re discovering today.

Photographing The Used felt surprisingly comfortable from the start. The staff were great throughout the night, and the crowd was just as welcoming, with people more than happy to have their photos taken. Having the freedom to explore the venue and photograph the band from different perspectives made the experience even better. Between the energy onstage and the reactions throughout the room, there was always something worth capturing.

My brother used to talk about The Used and how they stole the show at Warped Tour years ago. I was too young to experience those early days myself, but their music has found its way into my life all the same.

Their songs hit differently when you’re an adult and have lived through some of the struggles they sing about. Lyrics you might have connected with for one reason when you were younger can take on an entirely different meaning years later. There’s something about growing up with music like this and realizing that the feelings behind it never really go away. They just evolve alongside you.

And maybe that’s part of what makes The Used so special. Their music has always been unapologetically emotional, sometimes messy, sometimes confrontational, but consistently honest about the experiences that bring people together. Decades later, those songs still have a place, and judging by the crowd in Ventura, there’s no shortage of people who want to hear them.

Thank you, The Used, for 26 years of emo and for continuing to give fans a reason to show up, sing along, and feel every word.

With a few more shows coming up this month, they’re absolutely worth the drive from Los Angeles. I’d make the trip again in a heartbeat.

Words and photos by Chris Rivera