The Used Spread Lies With New Album

The Used's new Lies For The Liars, their third studio album in five years, hits store shelves on May 8 via Warner.

"It's definitely a little more out there, but everyone's gonna know it's The Used," says singer Bert McCracken. "I guess this record is about looking at ourselves and what we truly love to do.

"It's about genuine people versus fake-ass liars. We've really had fun making this album. I love it more than anything we've ever done in The Used."

With the exception of the recently released live CD/DVD package, Berth, Lies For The Liars is the first we've heard from The Used since 2004's In Love And Death. Last fall, the Orem, Utah quartet became a trio by giving drummer Branden Steineckert the boot. A permanent replacement has yet to be named. Good Charlotte drummer Dean Butterworth filled in for the new disc, but isn't touring with the band, which is probably a good thing. After all, he plays in Good Charlotte.

Song titles on the new album include "Pretty Handsome Awkward," "Cross My Heart And Hope To Die" and "The Ripper," a riff-heavy tune that McCracken claims is "one of the first songs we wrote for the album." Emo kids will be pleased.

Though reluctant to cite any specific influences, McCracken says he's been listening to Converge, Planes Mistaken For Stars, These Arms Are Snakes and "lots and lots of Beatles." The band are already promoting the album as headliners of the annual Taste Of Chaos punk rock extravaganza. This year's edition — which also features the likes of 30 Seconds To Mars, Senses Fail and Saosin — winds down this week with shows at Edmonton's Conference Centre on Thursday and Calgary's The Corral on Friday.

"Sometimes people try to walk on our tour bus, and it's a little weird because I wouldn't walk into someone's house," says McCracken with a chuckle. "But it's cool 'cause I remember being at shows and waiting outside to see my favourite bands. We have nothing but love for these fans of ours."