Four studio albums, years spent touring the world and countless hits. Just your typical rock band, right? Not quite. Platinum-selling rock band The Used has a lot more to offer fans besides hard core guitar riffs; they’re actually down-to-earth people, too.

In accordance with their upcoming show here at the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines on Wednesday, “The Times-Delphic” was able to interview bassist Jeph Howard. We discussed their new album “Artwork,” their upcoming Des Moines visit and life’s quirks as international rock stars.

TD: What can your Des Moines fans expect this time around?

Howard: It’s been a while since we’ve been to Des Moines. We’re going to be playing more stuff off of “Artwork” and some older stuff. We’re playing at some places in California right now. For the Des Moines show, we’re coming up with a whole new set list. We try to mix all four records put together.

TD: Let’s talk about “Artwork.” How is it different from your previous work? What influenced it?

Howard: Our first record was sort of realizing and then becoming The Used. On the second record we were a band. The newest record, “Artwork”—well, a lot of people latched onto it and wanted us to do the record a certain way. We’re musicians and artists; we want to create and change. With this record we did that. For the first time we had our new drummer, Dan Whitesides, record with us. He helped write this whole record.

TD: How is the title “Artwork” significant in accordance with the sound?

Howard: The original title came out after we recorded “Lies for the Liars.” We had a lot of stuff left over; out of all of these songs, Dan put out an EP called “Shadow Believer.” Originally we wanted “Artwork” for “Shadow Believer”. Bert (McCracken) added some of his own artwork on the CD cover, scribbled “Artwork” at the top and sent it into the label. For some reason, the way Bert wrote the word artwork, that’s how the name came out. Everybody in the band and other people were like ,“Wow, this is going to be the next album.” This is the name of the next record. Thinking about the name helped the album.

TD: You’re touring again—is it fun holed up together for months at a time, or does it get a bit trying?

Howard: There are always things that bug people, and very repetitive things that happen, and it’s hard to break the chain of repetitiveness. I enjoy playing different songs on tour. After 10 years of touring, you’re used to ups and downs. But I love touring—I would never have it any other way.

TD: You’ve been to some incredible places on tour. Which was the coolest?

Howard: Japan is awesome. Nothing really beats Japan. It’s one of those places where it never surprises you how cool it is. We’ve been to Chile, Brazil and Indonesia. There’s something awesome everywhere; you just have to find it.

TD: Who is the nastiest on the bus?

Howard: I think it’s pretty equal. Everybody has something pretty gross. We don’t get special things like washers and dryers and showers every day, yeah? (Laughs)

TD: How was it working with Matt Squire (producer of Panic! At the Disco) this time around?

Howard: We were really skeptical at first, but we just met with him and talked to him, and he was a nice dude. He’s just a really good dude, you know? He just kind of relaxed, didn’t force anything, and that’s exactly what we needed for this record.

TD: What’s up next for you guys?

Howard: We’re touring through the U.S. right now, and after this going to Australia. We might come back and do another U.S. thing. We’re not positive but we really want to. And hopefully, another record.

TD: Last question: numerous college students will read this. Any advice on how to live and feel like a rock star?

Howard: Go to your dorm room, shut the door, get in bed, cover yourself with a big sheet like you’re in a coffin, sleep there for three months, don’t shower, don’t wake up, wear the same clothes every day. Then you have to get hammered every other day to escape boredom. Do the same thing with other people. (Laughs)