Bert McCracken
Encyclopedia
Robert Edward "Bert" McCracken (born February 25, 1982) is the lead singer and songwriter
of the American alternative rock
band The Used
.
but grew up in Orem
, Utah
, USA
, and was raised in a Mormon
family. He has three sisters (Katie, Melanie, Rachel) and one younger brother (Joseph Taylor).
He attended Timpanogos High School
for a brief time, before dropping out at 16. Before joining The Used, he played the trumpet in a local band called I'm With Stupid, starting at age 12.
The eldest son of the household, Bert enjoyed a happy home life as a child, but as he grew into a teenager his and his parents' views conflicted. He rebelled against his parents and against their Mormon religion by going to other churches. As a teenager Bert was against drugs and he edited a straight-edge magazine, "Drugs Suck," until engaging in a physical bout with fellow straight edgers, thus driving the drifting 15-year-old in a different direction, culminating in drug experimentation. He became addicted to crystal meth
, then continued his self-destructive behavior by dropping out of high school; soon after, he was kicked out of the house at the age of 16. For some time he was homeless until he found enough money for an apartment, moving in with girlfriend Kate. After the relationship fell apart he was again living on the streets and sinking deeply into drug addiction, until he finally chose to return to his parents' home in late December 2000. Bert credits his childhood best friend John Schueler with keeping him sane during this tough time. In January 2001, when the band called Dumb Luck (which later became The Used, then consisting of Quinn, Jeph and Branden) were looking for a singer, Quinn remembered Bert and he was invited to try out. After being given music that the band had written without words, Bert wrote the lyrics to what would become "Maybe Memories" and returned the next day with a newly recorded version of the song. The band welcomed him immediately, and renamed themselves "Used". They were eventually discovered by John Feldmann and signed to Reprise Records; they became "The Used" when it was discovered that a Boston
band had already trademarked the name "Used". On June 25, 2002 they released their self-titled debut album.
to Los Angeles
, California
, soon moving in with his Australian fianceé Alison. The city, he found, fascinated and disgusted him at the same time. "I met the most fake people I had ever come across on the whole planet," McCracken recalled. "They’re all just liars, and they're so used to doing it, half the time I don’t think they even know they’re lying. Being in that environment had a direct effect on the tone of this new record, which is a little more vicious, but in a strange way, also more loving and caring." Such an environment invoked many songwriting ideas for the lyricist, inspiring songs such as "Pretty Handsome Awkward" and "Liar Liar (Burn In Hell)."
At the beginning of August 2006, The Used's drummer Branden Steineckert
was kicked out of the band, for reasons that to this day are not entirely clear. While Quinn Allman has used the term "creative differences," Bert has hinted at more personal sources of discontent with Steineckert by describing it as a "conflict of personality" between band members other than himself (as he "loves him to death"). Branden therefore did not take part in recording the drum tracks for Lies for the Liars
; Good Charlotte
's drummer Dean Butterworth
served as the band's temporary drummer for the recording, after which Dan Whitesides
was hired as Steineckert's permanent replacement. In July 2008, Bert married long time girlfriend Alison Schneider in a private ceremony in Los Angeles.
."
show The Osbournes
while he was dating Kelly Osbourne
.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
of the American alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band The Used
The Used
The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah. The band was founded in 2001 and signed to Reprise Records the same year. They rose to fame in June 2002 after releasing their self-titled debut album. They followed up with their second album, In Love and Death, in September 2004 and their third...
.
Biography
McCracken was born in ProvoProvo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
but grew up in Orem
Orem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the north-central part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is about south of Salt Lake City. Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah and...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and was raised in a Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
family. He has three sisters (Katie, Melanie, Rachel) and one younger brother (Joseph Taylor).
He attended Timpanogos High School
Timpanogos High School
Timpanogos High School is a public high school in Orem, Utah. Opened to its first students in August 1996, it became part of the Alpine School District of Utah County. The school mascot is the Timberwolf and the official school colors are navy blue, forest green, and white...
for a brief time, before dropping out at 16. Before joining The Used, he played the trumpet in a local band called I'm With Stupid, starting at age 12.
The eldest son of the household, Bert enjoyed a happy home life as a child, but as he grew into a teenager his and his parents' views conflicted. He rebelled against his parents and against their Mormon religion by going to other churches. As a teenager Bert was against drugs and he edited a straight-edge magazine, "Drugs Suck," until engaging in a physical bout with fellow straight edgers, thus driving the drifting 15-year-old in a different direction, culminating in drug experimentation. He became addicted to crystal meth
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
, then continued his self-destructive behavior by dropping out of high school; soon after, he was kicked out of the house at the age of 16. For some time he was homeless until he found enough money for an apartment, moving in with girlfriend Kate. After the relationship fell apart he was again living on the streets and sinking deeply into drug addiction, until he finally chose to return to his parents' home in late December 2000. Bert credits his childhood best friend John Schueler with keeping him sane during this tough time. In January 2001, when the band called Dumb Luck (which later became The Used, then consisting of Quinn, Jeph and Branden) were looking for a singer, Quinn remembered Bert and he was invited to try out. After being given music that the band had written without words, Bert wrote the lyrics to what would become "Maybe Memories" and returned the next day with a newly recorded version of the song. The band welcomed him immediately, and renamed themselves "Used". They were eventually discovered by John Feldmann and signed to Reprise Records; they became "The Used" when it was discovered that a Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
band had already trademarked the name "Used". On June 25, 2002 they released their self-titled debut album.
2006-2007 and Lies for the Liars
In the first half of 2006 the band took a break from touring and settled down to write their new record. During this time Bert, whose naturally ginger-blonde hair he had dyed jet black since first joining The Used at age 19, dyed it back to blonde. The previous year, he had moved from Orem, UtahUtah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, soon moving in with his Australian fianceé Alison. The city, he found, fascinated and disgusted him at the same time. "I met the most fake people I had ever come across on the whole planet," McCracken recalled. "They’re all just liars, and they're so used to doing it, half the time I don’t think they even know they’re lying. Being in that environment had a direct effect on the tone of this new record, which is a little more vicious, but in a strange way, also more loving and caring." Such an environment invoked many songwriting ideas for the lyricist, inspiring songs such as "Pretty Handsome Awkward" and "Liar Liar (Burn In Hell)."
At the beginning of August 2006, The Used's drummer Branden Steineckert
Branden Steineckert
Branden Steineckert , is the drummer for the punk rock band Rancid. He was previously the drummer of The Used, but it was announced on September 12, 2006 that he was no longer a part of the band.-Biography:...
was kicked out of the band, for reasons that to this day are not entirely clear. While Quinn Allman has used the term "creative differences," Bert has hinted at more personal sources of discontent with Steineckert by describing it as a "conflict of personality" between band members other than himself (as he "loves him to death"). Branden therefore did not take part in recording the drum tracks for Lies for the Liars
Lies for the Liars
Lies for the Liars is the third studio album by American post-hardcore band The Used. It was released on May 22, 2007. It, along with their newest studio album, Artwork, are their only studio albums to date that have not been certified gold....
; Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 1998, the band's constant members have been lead vocalist Joel Madden, lead guitarist and back-up vocalist Benji Madden, bass guitarist Paul Thomas and rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Billy Martin...
's drummer Dean Butterworth
Dean Butterworth
Dean "Deano" Butterworth is a professional drummer. He played for popular singer Morrissey and was announced as the official drummer for the band Good Charlotte in March 2005 after they parted with their previous drummer, Chris Wilson in 2005...
served as the band's temporary drummer for the recording, after which Dan Whitesides
Dan Whitesides
Daniel Whitesides is the drummer of American rock band The Used. He replaced former drummer and founder of the band Branden Steineckert who left the band in the summer of 2006. Whitesides had previously played with New Transit Direction for about seven years.-Early life and career:Whitesides began...
was hired as Steineckert's permanent replacement. In July 2008, Bert married long time girlfriend Alison Schneider in a private ceremony in Los Angeles.
2008-2009
On August 31, 2009 The Used came out with their 4th studio album named "ArtworkArtwork (album)
Artwork is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Used, released through Reprise in the United States and the UK on August 31, 2009.-Writing and recording:...
."
2011-Present
The Used is currently working on their 5th album, titled 'Vulnerable', said to be released in early February of 2012.The Used
- 2001: Demos from the Basement [Demo]
- 2002: The UsedThe Used (album)The Used is the self-titled debut album by American rock band The Used. It was released on June 25, 2002 and has since been certified gold in the US.- Track listing :- Multimedia content :...
- 2003: Maybe MemoriesMaybe MemoriesMaybe Memories is a compilation album by American rock band The Used. It was released on July 15, 2003 and has since been certified platinum...
[CD/DVD] - 2004: In Love and DeathIn Love and DeathIn Love and Death is the second studio album by American rock band The Used. It was released on September 28, 2004 and has since been certified gold. It is their most well-received and successful album to date. This was the first album for which Alex Pardee did the artwork, and he has done all...
- 2007: Berth [CD/DVD Live] (Recorded in 2005, Released in 2007)
- 2007: Lies for the LiarsLies for the LiarsLies for the Liars is the third studio album by American post-hardcore band The Used. It was released on May 22, 2007. It, along with their newest studio album, Artwork, are their only studio albums to date that have not been certified gold....
- 2008: Shallow BelieverShallow Believer*Track 6 is a self-titled B-side, tracks 4 and 9 are In Love and Death B-sides, and tracks 1-3, 5, 7-8, and 10-11 are Lies for the Liars B-sides.-Personnel:The Used* Bert McCracken — Lead vocals, piano, keyboard* Jeph Howard — Bass, backing vocals...
[EP] - 2009: ArtworkArtwork (album)Artwork is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Used, released through Reprise in the United States and the UK on August 31, 2009.-Writing and recording:...
Outside of Music
Bert appeared on the MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
show The Osbournes
The Osbournes
The Osbournes is an American reality television program featuring the domestic life of heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne and his family. The series premiered on MTV on March 5, 2002, and in its first season, was cited as the most-viewed series ever on MTV...
while he was dating Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Michelle Lee Osbourne is an English media personality, television personality, host, judge, fashion designer, singer, and actress, best known for being the daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne...
.
Collaborations
- 2002: GoldfingerGoldfinger (band)Goldfinger is a Los Angeles pop punk/ska punk band that formed in 1994. Currently, the band is composed of vocalist/guitarist John Feldmann, guitarist Charlie Paulson, bassist Kelly LeMieux, and drummer Darrin Pfeiffer...
featuring Bert McCracken - "Open Your Eyes" - Open Your Eyes - 2002: GoldfingerGoldfinger (band)Goldfinger is a Los Angeles pop punk/ska punk band that formed in 1994. Currently, the band is composed of vocalist/guitarist John Feldmann, guitarist Charlie Paulson, bassist Kelly LeMieux, and drummer Darrin Pfeiffer...
featuring Bert McCracken - "Spokesman" - Open Your Eyes - 2002: GoldfingerGoldfinger (band)Goldfinger is a Los Angeles pop punk/ska punk band that formed in 1994. Currently, the band is composed of vocalist/guitarist John Feldmann, guitarist Charlie Paulson, bassist Kelly LeMieux, and drummer Darrin Pfeiffer...
featuring Bert McCracken - "Woodchuck" - Open Your Eyes - 2004: My Chemical RomanceMy Chemical RomanceMy Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
featuring Bert McCracken - "You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison" - Three Cheers for Sweet RevengeThree Cheers for Sweet Revenge* Track 11 is commonly censored as "It's Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Deathwish"-Charts:-Singles:-Release history:-Personnel:Band*Frank Iero – rhythm guitar, backing vocals*Matt Pelissier – drums*Ray Toro – lead guitar, backing vocals... - 2004: Linkin ParkLinkin ParkLinkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
featuring Bert McCracken - "FaintFaint (song)"Faint" is a song by Linkin Park from their second studio album Meteora. The song was released as the album's second single in mid-2003 and entered the top thirty on the majority of the charts it appeared on, including the Hot 100, in which it peaked at #48. The song reached #1 on the U.S. Modern...
" (Live) on Projekt RevolutionProjekt RevolutionProjekt Revolution is a music festival hosted by Linkin Park, bringing artists of various genres of music together. Linkin Park started Projekt Revolution in the year 2002 with just one stage... - 2005: GoldfingerGoldfinger (band)Goldfinger is a Los Angeles pop punk/ska punk band that formed in 1994. Currently, the band is composed of vocalist/guitarist John Feldmann, guitarist Charlie Paulson, bassist Kelly LeMieux, and drummer Darrin Pfeiffer...
featuring Bert McCracken - "Ocean Size" - Disconnection NoticeDisconnection Notice-Personnel:*John Feldmann – rhythm guitar, lead vocals* Brian Arthur – lead guitar*Kelly LeMieux – bass*Darrin Pfeiffer – drums- Notes :Track No. 1, "My Everything", was featured on the soundtrack of the video game SSX on Tour.... - 2005: Street Drum CorpsStreet Drum CorpsStreet Drum Corps is a punk rock percussion band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2004 by Bobby Alt, of S.T.U.N. and Faculty X, Adam Alt, of Circus Minor, and Frank Zummo, of TheStart. To date the group have released two albums and have been part of tours such as Van's Warped Tour, Taste of...
and Bert McCracken - "Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)" - Taste of Christmas - 2006: The Distance featuring Bert McCracken - "At Least I'm Good At Something" - The Rise And Fall And Everything In Between
- 2008: GoldfingerGoldfinger (band)Goldfinger is a Los Angeles pop punk/ska punk band that formed in 1994. Currently, the band is composed of vocalist/guitarist John Feldmann, guitarist Charlie Paulson, bassist Kelly LeMieux, and drummer Darrin Pfeiffer...
featuring Bert McCracken and Monique Powell - "Handjobs For Jesus" - Hello DestinyHello Destiny-Personnel:*John Feldmann – rhythm guitar, lead vocals*Charlie Paulson – lead guitar*Kelly LeMieux – bass*Darrin Pfeiffer – drums...
External links
- Bert McCracken profile at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Bert McCracken profile at the Notable Names DatabaseNNDBThe Notable Names Database , produced by Soylent Communications, the same entity that produces Rotten, Daily Rotten, Dr. Sputnik's Society Pages and Penny Postcards, is an online database of biographical details of over 36,000 people of note...
- The Used official website