PULSE / bEATS by Ian JoulaIn The Road Ahead New label, New album: The used preps for aN exciTiNg 2011 94 March 2011 / 944.com March 2011 / 944.com 95 The Used has been around the proverbial had four singles per release, Artwork only will be performing at MusInk on March block, and a decade into their careers, the had one. 6, a three-day music and tattoo festival, band members are ready for what’s next. Alternative Press and allmusic.com which takes place at the Orange County After achieving early success and heavy praised Artwork, but the album’s commercial Fairgrounds. The band performed at the radio airplay, the band has had albums success hinged on the label doing its job in festival in 2008 and is happy to be back. certified gold and platinum, gone on promoting the record. But after the album “The MusInk show coming up should be numerous world tours and become the pride was leaked two months before its release, really fun,” McCracken says. “I think that and joy of Orem, Utah. That last one may be Howard believes that their label, Reprise, we are doing the day with Hot Water Music, a stretch, but the band’s humble beginnings just gave up. “They kind of lost faith in and anyone who knows Hot Water Music have certainly led it to where it is now. doing anything with [Artwork],” Howard should be really stoked.” Bert McCracken, vocals; Jeph Howard, says. “They didn’t push any of the songs, McCracken also disclosed that the band bass; Dan Whitesides, drums; and Quinn and they really just kind of stopped caring. is back to working with Feldmann for its Allman, guitar, comprise the group, and It was kind of a lost cause after it leaked.” upcoming release. Though nothing has as far as genre is concerned, don’t be so Lost cause or not, Artwork is Howard’s been set in stone as far as a release date, quick to toss a label on them. “I don’t think proudest release, and for McCracken, “I McCracken had this to say about The Used’s that it’s really that relevant anymore to be think that [Artwork] was definitely a upcoming effort, “There is not a definite part of a genre or part of a specific sound,” growing, learning experience for us, and we plan as to when we are going to put out a McCracken says. Rock is rock, but The made a kickass record, which is awesome.” full album, but we are definitely going to Used is so much more than that distinction. Having recently left Reprise, The Used put out some new music here in the next The band’s most recent effort, Artwork, band members are quite happy with where six months.” was released in 2009. Moving away from they are. In regard to a new label, Howard This is good news for fans of The Used, longtime producer John Feldmann and simply states, “We definitely want to go and McCracken promises, “We’ll keep opting for a different direction with Matt somewhere where people will care about everybody in the loop, and I’d be excited Squire at the controls, the band released us again.” if I were you because it is going to be a stripped-down album that was as heavy With Reprise in the rearview mirror, fucking awesome.” as it was melodic. Something was missing, The Used is preparing for what looks Catch the band in Costa Mesa: theused.net though. Whereas the previous three albums like a busy 2011. This month, the band musink.org 94 March 2011 / 944.com March 2011 / 944.com 95.