The Used tell Lies to theLiars

Fri 25th May, 2007 in Features

When The Used sold over three million copies of their last studio album, 2004’s In Love And Death, it was vindication not only for vocalist Bert McCracken , who was dealing with some heavily-publicised personal issues, but also the band itself, who had managed to stay true to their roots despite any temptations to follow the formula they had created so successfully on their self-titled million-selling debut two years earlier. A collection of in your face rock songs mixed with more melodic offerings such as the massive single All That I’ve Got, the second album showed a growing depth to the band’s songwriting skills.

When speaking with guitarist Quinn Allman and bass player Jeph Howard, the relaxed environment captured the band chilling out in the bands hotel room in Sydney ahead of the special Myspace event – It would only be to normal to discuss life, the tour, the image, the new album, and The Used’s as not only a band but a self driven concept of creativity.

“We are not like other bands – When we play live Bert is just amazing. It’s just like he can channel in the energy that the crowd are feeling, and it just puts him one up above everybody’s expectations of him. I mean, you look up there and you see this kind of scraggly guy, just like everyone else really, and you can’t deny that he’s feeling it too. You just need to look at him and you go ‘What, who is this guy?’ you know!”

“I mean, even if you didn’t know Bert and you saw him walk in a room, you’d go ‘Who the f**k is that guy?’ – he just draws your attention in, you can’t help it.”

The Used thrives on friction. You can hear it on the band’s combustible most recent offering. It’s what makes a The Used album or performance such an exhilarating ride. It almost you can make out a faint ticking sound, but you never know until the very last second whether it’s attached to an alarm clock or a time bomb – not surprising; Lies for the Liars breaks into ground of its own.

“It’s not really like the other two at all. I wouldn’t say it’s hugely different; it’s probably more mature. The dynamics of the sound are wider, it’s more tonal, and every song has its own theme.”

Working with John Feldmann (of Goldfinger fame) again was the obvious choice – seeing as chemistry proved successful previously, Lies for the Liars will see greater focus on dynamics and substance.

“I just think John’s tuned into exactly what we want to do, with the music, the vocals, everything really. He’s got a really good idea of how to get into a song then get out, so it sounds as good as it can, and he can just find something to put in there and make it better.”

“He’s part of our life now, you know what I mean? It just didn’t seem appropriate to go into a room with someone we didn’t know, who might say he wanted to try this or try that, when in our hearts, we’d much rather be in the room with John, and be able to communicate and speak openly, and just have that history of experiences together.”

The band hold contempt for Tinseltown and its surroundings triggered the lyrics for songs like “Pretty Handsome Awkward” and “Liar, Liar,” which will appear on “Lies for the Liars”. In the studio, the band tackled hypocritical politicians, the general insincerity of mankind, and greed and backbiting within the music business.

“If I wasn’t in the music industry, I wouldn’t be so upset with the state of honesty in the world today, I don’t imagine,” Allman reasoned. “We are surrounded by it constantly so it’s hard for us not to be influenced by the lies from the liars”

In addition to being lyrically abrasive, Jeph Howard says the album will also be the band’s heaviest offering. “There’s more screaming on this record than past records,” he said. “I think you could also say it’s a different type of aggression. Instead of asking somebody if they want to see something, [we’re] just shoving it in their face and letting them have a good look.”

From everything front-man and vocalist Bert McCracken said in the press before the album had dropped, fans could be forgiven for assuming the new disc will be another blazing dose of screamo, but the singer insisted that’s not even close. In fact, emo, screamo and metalcore are three styles specifically excluded from the eclectic album.

“Its not like that at all – We want to establish ourselves as something brighter than just this dimly lit singled-out genre that’s going to fade away in a couple years. We’re just rock kids.” Jeph Howard offers while skimming through Australian tourism booklet.

“We can’t help what we’ve been influenced by, but we can help create something new and keep music fun and not take ourselves so seriously with all sorts of concept ideas. So this is just a good rocking record with tons of licking guitar riffs and tons of good lyrics encompassing everything from what’s going on in the world to these shity remake movies that we’re seeing.” Adds Allman.

For an outfit that seem so anti-Hollywood, The Used will now have to contend with their celebrity status, screaming fans and become accustomed to signing thousands of autographs in a given week.

“We love it – there is nothing bad about touring, when I get home, I get bored. I love signing cd booklets for the fans.” Jeph confesses, still flicking through a magazine looking into Australian landmarks and icons. “I even bought myself a copy of the album the day it came out, and the girl behind the counter knew exactly who I was – I played it down but there was just no fooling her.”

The promotion of the new album will take the band on the road well into 2008. Apart from there sold out whirlwind tour in May, the band will also be back in Oz this October to headline this year’s Taste of Chaos tour. The bill also features Rise Against, Escape The Fate, The Bled and Gallows and if Quinn is correct, it will be an event not to miss.

“Come along – Taste of Chaos kicks ass dude & its way better then the Vans tour will ever be that’s for sure… Its an indoor event”

Conquering Australia once again – it is of little surprise that Australia has been amused by the Used.

Rockstar Energy Drink 2007 Taste Of Chaos Tour:

Fri 19 Burswood Dome Perth
Sun 21 Entertainment Centre Adelaide
Tue 23 Vodafone Arena Melbourne
Thur 25 Entertainment Centre Sydney
Fri 26 Entertainment Centre Brisbane
Sun 28 St James Theatre Auckland

The Used latest offering “Lies For The Liars” is out now through Warner Music.