It’s the eve of the release of new album Artwork, and The Used guitarist Quinn Allman is running late. But, I don’t blame the man. Between a new album and single, interviews, photo shoots, tweeting and maintaining a girlfriend, life can be a little tough. I’ve done three of those things today, but surely without the vivacity of the man I spoke to on the phone.

Some artists go to hell and back in order to create a work of art; lopping off an ear or almost killing themselves in the process. Heck, the new album cover from The Used features a man injecting himself with ‘Art’. But, as it turns out, the recording process for Artwork was anything but arduous.

“We went into the studio with 80% of everything already written and done, whereas in the past we’d have about 50% and end up writing everything in there,” Allman says. “It was pretty fucking easy this time around, compared to previous records.”

Since its release, the new album has reached the Top 20 of Australia’s ARIA charts and the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, as well as garnering critical acclaim from the likes of Alternative Press. Not that Allman would notice, anyway. “Bad reviews are cool. I don’t need the redemption of a good review to validate what I’m doing; it’s just good to see what different kinds of people think.

“I’ve been listening to our new record over and over and over in the car, I mean I’m really proud of it and it’s the soundtrack to my life right now. My girlfriend’s a bit sick of it, I think.”

His dogs give a bark, and Quinn promptly apologises. They yap like small toy dogs, not the massive rottweilers you might expect from the guitarist of one of the most renowned alternative rock bands of the day. But, I remember it’s been eight years since their inception, and this is an older, more mature Used outfit. They’re headed towards their thirties, and Quinn’s dogs can be as small as he likes. Does the band still party hard?

“Hell yeah, we party. I’m still drinking a lot of liquor, but we’re more tempted just to have a glass of wine, now that we’re a lot older. It’s lost its appeal a bit but we enjoy ourselves no matter what we’re doing.”

While the band’s early days have been widely reported as manic and wild, the only time Allman gets slightly worked up during our conversation is on the controversial topic or music downloading.

“Everything physical is losing its value with people, the mentality of the world has completely changed,” he says. “It’s so easy just to share; I’m not really a fan. But at the end of the day maybe I’m glad people aren’t spending all their money on a record. I think if people pay whatever they want, at least a dollar, then they might have more money to pick up a guitar and play their own music.”

The band also let their Twitter followers stream the album for free, although Quinn spoke slowly when explaining how it worked. “You know Twitter, it’s this thing on the internet…do you guys have that in Australia?”

When asked what his favourite song on the new record is, Quinn mentioned Watered Down. “Me, Dan and Jeff came up with everything in about an hour musically, on my little Pro Tools set-up, and we pretty much just gave it to Bert and he came up with the lyrics on the spot. It’s personal and unrestrained, about the curse of fame and passion, and leaving behind your old life. I love it.”

The band was due to tour here in November, but has now pushed the dates back to March 2010. Instead of signing up to a festival, they’re favouring headline shows. So what is their preference?

“I like playing our own gigs better, but festivals are cool – œcause you might be playing to people who’ve never heard your shit before,” the guitarist muses. “I like converting people.”

Artwork is out now through Warner Music. The Used was set to play shows here in November, but due to “circumstances beyond their control”, the tour is now set for March 2010. Check out the new dates below.

Wednesday 18 November NOW Thursday 18 March 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
Friday 20 November NOW Tuesday 16 March 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (SOLD OUT!)
Sunday 22 November NOW Sunday 14 March 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (U18)
Tuesday 24 November NOW Friday 12 March 2010 – UNSW Roundhouse