Jimmy Eat World, the alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their breakthrough album Bleed American. The band, formed in 1993 by vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind, have released ten albums. Their hit single The Middle peaked at No. 5 on the US Hot 100 chart and has surpassed one billion streams. To mark the anniversary, the band will perform a series of shows this summer, including UK appearances in Halifax, Cardiff, and Gunnersbury Park, London.
Jim Adkins on the Early Days and Success
Jim Adkins recalls the photo session before Bleed American was released, aiming to capture the sprawl of Phoenix. He notes that the band members have known each other since childhood, with Zach Lind being a friend from preschool. "Mesa wasn't exactly a hotbed of arts and culture," Adkins says. He reflects on the early days of touring in a van without GPS or phones, playing to empty basements, but acknowledges he wouldn't want to sleep on floors now. When Bleed American took off, Adkins struggled to handle the success, determined not to become arrogant. He credits the band's longevity to two things: having fun and feeling proud of their work.
Rick Burch on Fleeting Moments and Band Chemistry
Rick Burch describes the desolate scenery of central Arizona, where the photo was taken. He wishes he had appreciated the good moments more during their commercial success. Burch never tires of hearing The Middle and loves seeing the audience's reaction. He notes that the band members now have families and rely on subtle cues rather than verbal communication. Burch values his personal space on tour, needing ten minutes alone. He emphasizes that their chemistry stems from a shared dedication to music.
Zach Lind on Optimism and Regret
Zach Lind recalls the era of Bleed American as full of possibilities. After signing with DreamWorks, the band opened for Weezer in the UK and played Saturday Night Live. However, a scarcity mentality prevented him from enjoying these achievements fully. He regrets not taking it all in and now tries to savor every moment on stage. Lind notes that the band members are not emotionally open but have never had a major falling out, thanks to mutual respect and trust.
Tom Linton on Immaturity and Band Dynamics
Tom Linton remembers being 23 and immature when the band was dropped by Capitol in 1999. The split gave them freedom to self-fund Bleed American. The album's success was a genuine surprise. Linton has known Rick since age 12 and Zach and Jim since childhood. He mentions Jim's habit of waking everyone up on the tour bus by shouting "Good morning!" at 8 a.m. While there have been minor fights, they resolve issues by talking directly. Linton praises his bandmates as great fathers, husbands, and musicians, admitting he is still probably quite immature.
