The Used wrapped their UK tour at the O2 Academy Bristol last week, rolling into town with songs from ‘Imaginary Enemy’ in hand after laying waste to KOKO in Camden the previous evening.
We caught up with frontman Bert McCracken, Jeff Howard and Justin Shekoski, the Saosin guitarist who’s standing in for the on-hiatus Quinn Allman, to discuss an exciting future. Next year the Used turn 15, while their recent shows have featured a new energy alongside the fire of old. It’s clear from our chat that they have no intention of slowing down.
The new album, ‘Imaginary Enemy’, seemed to take a turn for the political.
BM: I just think of it as more selfless, less about me and more about the bigger picture. I think that human beings are all connected in this very serious way that humans can’t comprehend. It’s more about the whole world that we get to live in, especially my daughter. She’s one. That was probably a big part of it as well.
I don’t think there’s one song on ‘Imaginary Enemy’ that’s like a boo hoo song about me. It’s still very personal. People say we’re more political, but we’re not necessarily. There’s a little talk of policy in there and there are political treatises that I wrote in it but at the same time I think it’s as general as I could be on a political front.
With that in mind, did the writing process differ from previous records?
BM: This record was very experimental. We kind of wrote a lot of the music around melody ideas and lyrics. It was more about the message. It started with a concept. We wanted to write a record that was about the state of the world. The antithesis of everything I worshipped growing up. The “fuck everything” Nirvana message, the apathy of grunge music, the music that got me into rock music in general. I still love all that music but I still think it’s really important for humans to be aware of what’s going on, be able to help or fix or change anything.
You’ve again used spoken word samples, and recorded some yourself, for this record. Have you ever considered a spoken word side project?
BM: The future’s wide open. Anything to raise social awareness and eliminate typical ignorance that keeps us separated. I mean I have a new contract with Channel V in Australia which is like the MTV, so they’ve given me a little bit of a platform for social awareness, which is good. I’m hosting the rock segment of their channel and also doing some outside events as well. We’re going to Botswana. I work with this company called Hero Condoms. It’s like Tom’s Shoes. Every condom bought we donate one to Botswana. We worked out a programme with their government for zero new HIV infections in 2015/2016. Big stuff coming.
Tonight you play the last show of your UK tour. How has it been?
BM: Best UK tour. This guy [Justin] brings a lot of fire and energy to the group. None of us have cared more about the band in years. I don’t think it has anything directly to do with Quinn being gone, but the possibilities seem endless right now. We’ve been on this upward climb for a while. The shows have been getting progressively better and I think that we’re all getting more comfortable with our place in the world of music.
We’ve never set out to be the best band, or the biggest band or even the most important thing in a person’s life. We are a tiny bit of what makes music special, that’s just perfect for us. The people that are coming out to these shows are die hard, dedicated fans and it’s humbling. It’s the biggest amount of positives you could pack into one little situation with four guys, we’re so excited.
How have the crowds been responding to you, Justin?
JS: Incredibly well. I was nervous about it but the kids have been absolutely incredible. I mean even afterwards when you get to talk to people everyone’s really nice and everyone seems to like it. Which is good!
You played London’s KOKO last night and said it was one of your best shows ever?
BM: Did you go? No? You missed it! Holy shit.
I heard you pulled an Evita on the balcony?
BM: Isn’t that a regular thing there? Doesn’t everyone do that?
JH: People jump off it and that’s about it.
BH: I made sure that wasn’t going to happen. I never forget the one kid at Warped Tour. Because I used to jump off the stacks that were a little bit higher than that. This one guy is like: “Dude I caught you, look what happened to me!” His fucking hand, his bone was so broken! And I’m like: “Go check that out!” And he’s like: “Never!” I still feel really bad. He was stoked. I’ve had a lot of broken bones and my hands are like, eurgh, I get what you mean grandma!
Do you prefer touring to recording?
BH: It’s all of it for us. We enjoy every single part of it equally. Studio time is amazing, writing is amazing and the shows. It’s like camp out here. It’s really hard to come and leave the normalcy of everyday life. But once you’re out here it’s hard to leave. This is our family beyond family.
Are the tours as rock ’n’ roll as they used to be? Or have things quietened down?
BM: It comes along with being young, a little bit less aware of the longevity of what will happen. And we got really lucky that right before it was too late I got my head in check. These guys are real stand up guys. It’s a really cohesive, mutually respectful relationship.
Are you planning on playing any UK festivals this year?
BM: I’m not sure.
JH: We’re hoping.
BM: That might not happen until next year. It’s still being talked about.
What’s next for The Used?
BM: We’re kinda writing as we go and it’s been awesome with Justin, he has tonnes of cool new ideas so, we plan on working out something in October. But then there’s big plans for our 15 year anniversary of The Used for next year. There’ll be some huge, huge surprises.
Also, special thanks to all the hardcore fans because, no matter how cliched it sounds, without them and the love and support of the fans we wouldn’t be out here experiencing such life changing rock shows. We’re humbled. We had one of the greatest times of our lives last night and it’s all ‘cause of our dedicated support from our fans.
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