The Used formed in 2001 in Utah when two band members decided to start a group. They held unsuccessful auditions before finding their singer, Bert McCracken. The band struggled with poverty, homelessness, and drug use early in their career. They chose their name "The Used" because friends felt "used" when band members focused more on the group than friends. The Used released their first album and were signed to Reprise/Warner Bros. Records, allowing them to gain more recognition. The Used has since released four studio albums across different rock genres.