Bert McCracken
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Bert McCracken | ||
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Background information | ||
Birth name | Robert Edward McCracken | |
Born | February 25, 1982 | |
Occupation(s) | Lead Singer of The Used |
Robert Edward McCracken (born February 25, 1982 in Orem, Utah), professionally known as Bert McCracken, is the lead singer of the American rock band The Used.
Contents |
[edit] The Beginning of The Used
McCracken was part of the straight edge community for a week and frequented hardcore shows in the Utah valley area.[citation needed] When The Used were looking for a singer, Quinn remembered Bert from pre-school; and they called him to join the band.[citation needed] .
Branden Steineckert, sent their music to John Feldmann.[citation needed] He loved them and flew them all out to his house to record their unofficial demo.[citation needed] After releasing their debut self titled album in 2002,after touring with Goldfinger for a bit they toured with the Warped Tour and Ozzfest
[edit] Illness
On the 27th of May, 2003 Bert fell on stage during "On My Own" and could not continue singing. He was rushed to hospital where he was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, a severe inflammation of the pancreas caused by auto digestion of the pancreatic tissue by its own enzymes.[citation needed] Soon after, The Used began recording their second album, In Love and Death.
[edit] Relationship with My Chemical Romance
Bert has been known to be close friends with My Chemical Romance, and in particular, the band's lead singer Gerard Way The two friends and their bands recorded Queen and David Bowie's Under Pressure together, with proceeds given to a charity set up for tsunami victims.[citation needed] Bert also provided backup vocals for My Chemical Romance on their album Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, for the song "You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison".
[edit] Feud with Gerard Way
Bert was close friends with My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way. However, in 2006 they had a falling out. McCracken has said in an interview with VH1, "I'd prefer not to say anything about My Chemical Romance, except that we did have a falling out. We don't speak at all any more. It's got nothing to do with their success. I'm completely comfortable with where our band is at. We used to be very close, but no more. We had a falling out. The rest of my band, they're still mates with all the guys in that band. But I'd prefer to say nothing more about My Chemical Romance".[1] Both Way and his brother have made statements since, indicating McCracken was only joking, confessing that they remain in contact with him and nothing has happened between them. In a recent magazine interview Alternative Press, McCracken denied ever hearing about them having a falling out, and wished Way "the best of luck".[citation needed]
In a recent interview with Blender magazine Gerard revealed the true manner of the falling out. After he sobered up their friendship turned sour, and soon thereafter McCracken reportedly began to trash-talk My Chemical Romance. Way stated that he hasn't spoken to Bert since the San Diego stop of the Warped Tour on June 30, 2005. McCracken had tried to distract fans from My Chemical Romance's set with a megaphone, but failed. "It was really unfortunate" says Way. Bert declined to comment.
The Used's song, "Handsome Awkward", is said to be about a man whose description suspiciously matches that of the former blond Gerard, although nothing is completely certain. McCracken and guitarist Quinn Allman had hinted to the magazine Kerrang! that the song was about Way, saying that "it's about someone with short blond hair". Gerard makes an appearance in The Used's live album, Berth.
[edit] Recent events
- In 2006 Bert McCracken sang on a track "At Least I Am Good At Something" which appears on the 2006 Abacus Recordings debut for the band The Distance titled "The Rise, The Fall and Everything in Between". Production for the track was handled by Shep & Kenny.[citation needed]
[edit] External links
- Bert McCracken profile at the Internet Movie Database
- Bert McCracken profile at the Notable Names Database
The Used |
Members |
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Bert McCracken | Quinn Allman | Jeph Howard | Dan Whitesides |
Previous Members |
Greg Bester | Branden Steineckert | Dean Butterworth |
Discography |
Studio Albums: The Used | In Love and Death | Lies for the Liars |
Live and Compilation Albums: Maybe Memories | Berth |
EPs & Demos: Demos from the Basement | The Used's EP | The Used's Second EP |
Singles: A Box Full of Sharp Objects | The Taste of Ink | Buried Myself Alive | Blue and Yellow | Take It Away | All That I've Got | I Caught Fire | Under Pressure | The Bird and the Worm |
Record Labels |
Reprise Records |