Ahead of their first-ever performance at the Sydney Opera House this weekend, The Used frontman Bert McCracken joins a special episode of the Rolling Stone Uncut podcast.
Recorded on stage at the famous Concert Hall earlier this week, McCracken spoke to Editor-in-Chief Neil Griffiths about how the concert came together for the US legends, their recent anniversary tour and an update on brand new music on the way.
McCracken even discusses some special surprises in the works for their show later in the year at the Hollywood Bowl with My Chemical Romance.
Watch and or listen to the full episode below.
How the Opera House show came about
[It started] a little bit before the 25-year anniversary tour. We saw that Parkway Drive did it and we’re like, ‘Oh, if they can do it, we can do it for sure.’ But I remember the first time being in Sydney in 2004 or 2005 and seeing the Opera House and being like, ‘Man, someday we’ll play there.”
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Why now?
It’s just kind of a celebration. We had such a big year. The 25-year tour was just insane, sold out all over the world, and we felt really special about it. So we wanted to do something that kind of sets this precedent for the years to come – a brand new chapter of The Used.
There’s a lot of nerves. We’ve done a lot of rearranging with the songs and a lot of extended parts, and a lot of new cues. And so we’re really kind of focused in at this point. But walking in here, I’m feeling on top of the world. I can’t believe it’s really happening. It’s going to be so cool.
What comes after this show and 25 years of The Used?
Maybe a bit of a farewell to the last 25 years and a what’s up to the new chapter of The Used. We’re going to make a new record this year, kind of back to basics. And kind of reflecting on other records we’ve had where we just are jamming as a band, and it kind of comes together organically like that. And so yeah, doing a few festivals this year, Warped Tour and a few other things, but kind of keeping it all concentrated on making music.
I think back to basics for me just means getting in a room together and jamming. Coming up with parts, seeing which fit, and which don’t. We’ve had so many different experiences in the studio, and the past couple of records have been like a song a day. So I think that we’re kind of letting this one breathe a little bit, and I think it’s going to surprise people. The stuff we have is insane.
