Miss Used are a four-piece grunge blues band based in Auckland, who were formed in 2018, and this is their first EP. I have been fortunate enough to catch these guys in concert a few times recently, and they are somewhat unusual in that both guitarists are singers, and they take turns in providing the lead. They also have very different voices, which provides for a real contrast, and allows them to take the music in quite different directions. Ben’s voice is melodic and higher, while Lochlan is far more in the traditional blues rock styles with plenty of depth and breadth. I recognise all the five songs on the set, which kicks off with “Paranoid Wonderland”, which may have a gentle beginning, but crunches in as the band gets going. Each time I play this I think of the early Seventies scene as while they have plenty of grunge influences it is soaked in the blues vibe of bands like Free. The focus here is often very much on the vocals, as while they riff hard at times, there are plenty of others when Lochlan is singing unaccompanied. But it is not all roughness, there is also plenty of commercial harmonies, and it soon gets into the skull.
“Collapsing Building”, which was originally released as a single, shows a different side, with Ben’s lighter vocals over the top of picking in the verse, as opposed to chords, and then all hell breaks loose in the chorus before coming back to sanity. This use of contrast and dynamics is very powerful, and it is good to hear they have managed to capture the live aggression in the studio. When they play “Hit The Ground Running” live, Ben does not play guitar but instead puts it to one side, and revels in the role of frontman, head being flung back, and long notes being hit hard. This is one of my very favourite Miss Used songs and it is nice to see it included on what is a very strong debut EP indeed. “Garden Freak” has us back with Ben and a much lighter song, containing plenty of emotion, before we close out with “Born To Die” which has yet another totally different vibe and style. It is melancholic and a real builder, with plenty of atmosphere and passion.
There are a host of new bands coming out of Auckland at present, and Miss Used is right up there with them. I am looking forward to catching them again in the near future, and for those unable to attend their gigs but enjoy blues-based rock with more than a hint of grunge should really give this a try.
Rating: 8/10
