Jimmy Eat World, the alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, have reflected on their 25-year journey since the release of their breakthrough album, Bleed American. The band, consisting of vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind, formed in 1993 and have released 10 albums. Their hit single, The Middle, peaked at No. 5 on the US Hot 100 and has amassed over 1 billion streams. To mark the anniversary, the band will perform a series of shows this summer, including UK appearances in Halifax, Cardiff, and London.
Jim Adkins on the Early Days
Adkins recalls the photo taken just before Bleed American was released, capturing the sprawl of Phoenix. He notes that the bandmates knew each other from childhood, with Lind being a preschool friend. "Mesa wasn't exactly a hotbed of arts and culture," Adkins says, reflecting on the punk rock scene that brought them together. Despite the band's success, Adkins admits he didn't know how to handle the sudden fame. "I didn't want to become an asshole and let it change me," he explains. "The music world is fickle, and we just happened to be the band in 2001."
Rick Burch on Fleeting Success
Burch, who awkwardly hovered in the photo, wishes he had appreciated the good moments more. "The good moments are fleeting and few," he says. "I should have taken a moment to acknowledge them." Despite the inescapable popularity of The Middle, Burch never tires of it. "I would play it five times in a row if the other guys would let me," he jokes. The bassist values personal space on tour, needing 10 minutes alone to avoid irritation.
Zach Lind on Optimism and Regret
Lind describes the era as "pregnant with possibilities" after signing with DreamWorks. The band opened for Weezer in the UK and played Saturday Night Live. However, a "scarcity mentality" prevented them from fully enjoying the success. "I regret that slightly," Lind says. "When I play drums now, I try to take it all in." He notes that the band rarely opens up emotionally, but they have never properly fallen out. "We respect and trust each other. Now that I'm older, I know not to take that for granted."
Tom Linton on Immaturity and Friendship
Linton, who felt "quite immature" at 23, recalls being dropped by Capitol in 1999, which gave the band freedom. They self-funded Bleed American with no expectations. "When we got signed again and the album did well, it came as a genuine surprise," he says. Linton appreciates that the bandmates have no bad habits, though Adkins' loud wake-up calls on the tour bus can be annoying. "He'll start shouting, 'Good morning, good morning, good morning!' at eight in the morning," Linton laughs. Despite occasional fights, the band has never threatened to split. "Twenty-five years on, they are still all great guys," Linton concludes. "I don't have anything bad to say about any of them."
