Benjamin Tod from Lost Dog Street Band, “Using Again,” // GemsOnVHS™
In light of Benjamin’s new direction musically, we decided to try something different for this recording. The words say it all.
You can find Benjamin’s tunes on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/30hVqCpEQ8gBRdNvgWMr20?si=yOuoj-_xSO-SpE7tBkgCkw) and all other streaming platforms, and catch Lost Dog Street Band on tour this summer. Check out the tour dates at https://www.lostdogstreetband.com/.
Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe.
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www.gemsonvhs.com
shot/edited by Anthony Simpkins
gemsonvhs@gmail.com
instagram @gemsonvhs / @anthonysimpkins

@GemsOnVHS
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Stream Ben's tunes on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/30hVqCpEQ8gBRdNvgWMr20?si=l_ViGiCjQke7K-GChjQwbQ, and find him on Instagram at @benjamintodmusic.
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@JonAS-MR
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Swap needle for bottle and it hits hard.
@ChawBacon
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
This has to be the best version of this song.
@CrystalK-b4i
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
💜
@bowaggoner5063
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
I heard this in treatment. Wow. Every line was written for me! 03/02/2024. And I'm still clean 🫧
@corymorrison4993
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Hardest first line of any song, ever! Period, end. No opening line has ever been more honest and vulnerable.
@HeatherPerkins1009
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Yeah, totally smoking crack …
@shemasmcguire3999
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
5 years off of meth and 2 years after losing m6 brother to the drink. Hang on tight yall i know it's a rough ride but you can do it. If no one else believes in you i do
@WarrenIsDead
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
7 years since the stick. Now drinking is….
@PowerUpShorts67
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
5 weeks clean . Everyday is a battle
@Psilohighbin
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
March 2026 Much Love
@DanielMata-z3s
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
I just got out of prison a couple days ago and I came directly here even though I'm 2 years clean. I still relate to the hurt in his voice
@seansweikow5453
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
I remember playing this song after my friend requested perfect day by lou reed. It upset him halfway through and he requested another. I obliged and we we continued a nice day driving along in my 99 Camry even though he was angry and withdrawing and not entirely himself. He was so angry and irrational those couple of years before he left. It's like it took more and more from him until he didn't have any more. I tried to give as much as I could spare but it didn't do any good in the end. His parents appreciated seeing me around and I felt welcome in their home. My parents welcomed any friend of mine as a friend of theirs and we shared so many well fed and drank and smoked evenings there too. So many good meals in both places he was a cook working on being a chef and he started me on an education on Spanish which has spilled over into my current occupation in manufacturing. Most of all, I appreciate his love of learning and miss his complete knowledge dumps of whatever the topic of the day was…back then it was leftover crack other obscure musical groups the Spanish language and politics. I miss him and am crying for him and I will do my best to instill the ideals that he taught me into the current world. God bless you I love you peace be still and know that you are God my dear and departed friend.
@Billsonarld
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
I’ve listened to this song for a few years now, it means a lot. I lost a very close mate just short of a year ago to a drug overdose. I miss him every day. Fly high my brother Pete, I pray you found peace 🕊️💔😔
@yessuh9669
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Love this song
@youcainthandlethetruth
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Omg 15 mil!
@devin7376
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
I’m 28. I’ve been under for 17 years and counting. Not even sure who I am independently. Maybe I’ll see starting next month lol.
@codeybales1593
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
I've listened to this beautiful piece of art for 8 years, It still hurts my bones ,this is an absolute masterpice.
@deathmetaldrummer9368
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Is that a guild troubadour? Just picked up a guild because of this song. Love the sound of them
@noweaponformedagainstmeshallpr
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Love your music, brother. My wife is a instrumentalist and I am the lyricist. Your songs hit me hard. Hearing it thinking yep, been there and been through that. We are still vertical and breathing His good air. Good bless you and your family. Thank you again for your down to earth, honest and deep songs you perform and write.
@outdoorsandthings2521
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Still my favorite and I never used 😂
@timsguitarmods
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
This song started me on a journey to get myself back on track. I'll never forget where I was that first time hearing it. My bandmate put this song on after I trainwrecked another rehearsal all strung out. He didn't say anything to me. He didn't need to. This song scared the hell out of me because it was my life he was singing about in that moment. Everything I felt in that miserable time being sung to me was something else! I just sat there for 30 seconds just speechless. All i could get out of my mouth after that was "oh my God" I got up and went out for a cigarette. I broke down and did some soul searching. Soon after that I went and got some help. I dont know where i would be if it wasn't for this song, and the timing of hearing it that first time. Ben is one of the best songwriters of this generation! I'm forever grateful for all of his music! It speaks to so many of us in ways that the mainstream garbage never will.
@loriwhalin1944
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Yes im here❤
@ericbadder1552
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Imagine your buddy singing about how you’re going to hell with him. Fuck sakes bud, speak for yourself
@ManicBipolar1
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
💚💚MASTERPIECE 💚💚
@Y2daT420
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Me …. Because I am afraid I'll go back 💯💯💯
So far so good?
@matthewmalone5635
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Keep fighting ….someone needs us
@TheDocksideGMr
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Ben these days is much more powerful.
@EricPellerin-o5o
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Clean off the dope and coke for years now but still a total drunk. Maybe someday I can figure it out. Maybe
@anywx550
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Hey bro i love you 2026
@luciansamsel4762
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Thank you from the bottom thats shallow. God bless 🙌
@travisforesi6208
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
I can't get clean of meth…I don't want to…but thanks for this song man…I fukn love it…I learnt the poem of the man in the mirror when I was in jail
@ATFwontfindme
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
8 years old and still speaking straight to people's souls
@roger4131
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Yup
@CecilCaudill-g6i
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Thank you so much I used to listen to this when I 6high now I'm trying to be my best again so just ty my friend
@ramirobanda93
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
18 months clean today
@Mr.P00Pr
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Ive been here for years..love you buddy… come out to cali!!!!!
@fronkzz
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
high dollar shoes.
@golfoftonkin
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
I’m living low down and I’m using again
I’m hating my name cause I’m cursed like my kin
And if I should see you before I’m condemned
I hope your deceived by the webs that I’ve spin
I wish I was who I appeared
Cause I despise the man in the mirror
Lost deep inside of my dirty old soul
Some starry eyed boy never taught self control
The cost of my living was more than I planned
So I held the needle like a gun in my hand
And I wish I was who I appeared
Cause I despise the man in the mirror
The memories Ive got torture my head
And I don’t know God but I heard he was dead
And if I am wrong and in judgement I stand
I will not repent cause I don’t give a damn
You can send me to hell with the rest of my friends
And I wish I was who I appeared
Cause I despise the man in the mirror
I’m living low down and I’m using again
So damn good
@Ken-w1v9k
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Hang tuff brothers
@Ken-w1v9k
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
So fuc true God Bless ❤
@Rodney-lb4jz
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Look deep in The mirror found out them.words dont hit your spirit
@LifeNoell
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Great meeting him. The real thing. Godspeed, Ben.
@KDub1988
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
My husband is this poor soul… I love you so much 😢
@bobbidankert6647
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Mother fucker…don’t look me in the eye when you’re talking like that. Respect 🫡
@LuisSanchez-ku2wd
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Zeroooo
@JasonLee-vt1ws
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
1-11-26 Eight years clean🙏🏽
13 months 20 days w out any weed, never thought I’d quit smoking bud.
@randallbrush5492
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
I'm five years clean I would listen to this song every day in my addiction
@adammoehl1056
April 27, 2026 at 4:52 pm
219 days today