Born in one of the strictest Mormon communities around, Bert had a happy home life as a child. But as he grew into a teenager his and his parents views conflicted. "They were listening on the phone when I was talking about sex to my girlfriend. They cornered me in my room.... I had nothing to say. I didn't feel like I'd done anything bad but I didn't want to make my parents more upset". Bert broke away from his strict life at 16 by dropping out of high school and leaving home when he became a drug addict.
He went to jail on charge of posession, but his father
… More stepped in to help and now they are good friends. When the rest of the band (Quinn, Jeff and Branden) were looking for a singer, someone remembered Bert and they called him. They just clicked, but Bert was still heavily into drugs, and was still going to Narcotics Annonymous. "If it weren't for the band, I think I'd still be getting high". Fortunately Bert got clean and, after their first gig in January 2001, they were discovered by John Feldmann (Goldfinger) and signed to Reprise Records.
After releasing their debut self titled album in 2002, they toured with the Warped Tour and Ozzfest. It was at Ozzfest where Bert met his ex-sweetheart, Kelly Osbourne. The pair dated for 7 months, but broke up 14th February 2003, when Bert declared onstage 'I love you, but we're breaking up'. The breakup was caused, despite rumours of Bert using Kelly for publicity for the band, but because he's always on tour, and doesn't have time for a serious realtionship.
On 27th May 2003 Bert fell onstage during 'On My Own' and could not continue singing. He was rushed to hospital where he was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis 'a severe inflamation of the pancreas caused by autodigestion of the pancreatic tissue by its own enzymes. The condition stems from alcohol abuse or gallstones'. Alcohol abuse was denied by a spokesman.
During the recording of 'In Love And Death' Berts 'best friend', David Bowie [the teacup Chihuahua] was hit by a car and killed. Bert penned the song 'All That I've Got' in memory to him. He has now purchased a new Chihuahua named Gordon.
On the 4th of July 2004, Berts ex-girlfriend Kate died of an overdose. She was carrying his child at the time. The song 'Hard To Say' is "a tribute" [- Bert, Kerrang article] to her. The history of Bert and Kate is confused, due to articles that contradict each other. One version is that they dated back when they were 16, and had an apartment together. They'd recently gotten back together, when she died. Another is that they were not back together, and were going to try have the child as friends. One is that they hadn't spoken for 4 years, and Bert had a feeling to call her, and her sister picked up, saying she'd died. Please read the articles and decide for yourself.
Random Facts About Bert
+ He can play piano.
+ He is about 5"7.
+ He's been in four bands.
+ His habit of vomiting onstage has been nicknamed 'Berties Madness'.
+ He has three little sisters and a little brother.
+ He smokes a lot.
+ The Used have 2 tourbuses - a smoking one and a non-smoking one
