THE USED: MUSIC FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY NOT RATE

Winding through Texas and onto Arizona during his band’s tour with Taking Back Sunday is a long haul for anyone, but it is more of the same for the road worn band mates of The Used.

Veteran rockers Bert McCracken, Quinn Allman, Jeph Howard and Dan Whitesides recently jumpstarted a two-month, 30-stop tour starting in Dallas, Texas, circling the United States and ending in Florida.

Bassist Howard said touring with Taking Back Sunday has been great despite Eddie Reyes’ biting habits, but is looking forward to time off, but that is likely not too soon. “There is no next there is only now and today,” Howard said. “This record is just starting. We have at least a year or two worth if touring before we get a big break. But this is a good thing.” During time away from touring and recording in the past, Howard has taken to traveling with his wife. He says traveling is the only way to really learn and explore life. Other than time with family, Howard says the real challenge is doing nothing.

“It’s a lot harder than you think,” Howard said. “When is the last time you did nothing? I mean no thinking, no worrying, no concentrating. Just doing nothing.” Since their inception about 13 years ago, the Used have often been labeled as screamo, punk, and even heavy metal ‚ labels the band often demises along with any worries about how well their work is received.

“We write music for people to enjoy not rate,” Howard said. “If you love it and get inspired by it, that’s amazing. If you hate it, good at least you have feelings.” They have released five albums since 2002 and The Used’s sixth album “Imaginary Enemy” is slated to drop in April 2014 through their label Anger Music Group, created after kicking Reprise Records to the curb in 2010.

Howard said this latest album has been a strange undertaking, unlike previous recordings. “We went into the studio with 30 songs and the first day we scrapped them all and started over from the beginning,” Howard said. “Then we decided to record backwards starting with the vocals first. Very weird way to record. But it turned out great.” Howard said “Imaginary Enemy” is filled with a lot of personal investment but had to back away as the process evolved. “We had to let go and let the record be as natural as possible without over thinking,” Howard said.

James Alford

‘Imaginary Enemy’ is out April 1st