The guys in Jimmy Eat World got a second chance at the brass ring and, what do you know, they grabbed it and they're not letting go. Jimmy Eat World
hungry for successThe popular band doesn't sweat
about breaking out of the
stereotypical rock moldsBy Gary C. W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.comThe band's hit single "The Middle," is a buoyant number that gets an assist from an eye-catching video featuring the band playing at a house party filled with teenagers stripped down to their underwear. The lyrical premise of not succumbing to peer pressure and being yourself never looked sexier, but the song itself, in all of its Cheap Trick-ish glory, sells a sincere and comforting message.
The band will also be opening the first half of the upcoming 41-date Pop Disaster Tour featuring pop/punk powerhouses blink-182 and Green Day. Not bad for the 7-year-old Mesa, Ariz., emocore quartet whose DIY conviction meant surviving years toiling as an independent band. A brief stint with Capitol-owned Nettwerk America imprint went nowhere fast, although the song "Lucky Denver Mint" caused a blip when it appeared on the soundtrack of the Drew Barrymore film "Never Been Kissed." Now, the band appears to be happy campers at Dreamworks.
Considering that guitar/vocalists Jim Adkins and Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind have never primped themselves as photogenic "rawk stars," the band may be one of a few whose popularity can be purely attributed to its heart-on-sleeve music.
"We have never really thought about how we look and we never really thought it was an issue," said Lind via e-mail from Japan, where the band is touring. "We didn't do anything different as far as our video (for 'The Middle') was concerned. We just wear what we normally wear and don't really do anything to attain a certain 'look.' "
Where: World Cafe, 1130 N. Nimitz Highway JIMMY EAT WORLD
When: 7 p.m. Monday; doors open at 6:30
Admission: $17.50
Call: 296-1059
To top it off, these guys are civil, with no "issues" to be flaunted at fans. But, on the other hand, aren't they sick and tired of that "nice guys" label?
"It's never bad to be considered nice guys," Lind said. "Why would anyone want to be anything else? We never feel the need to trash our hotel rooms or take advantage of young girls. We will leave that to the others."
That rare bit of sensitivity and good behavior may be due, in part, to the musical help and support of friend Rachel Haden, who contributed vocals to Jimmy Eat World's self-titled DreamWorks debut (it's title before Sept. 11 was "Bleed American," named after the album's leadoff track). Haden, who's touring with the band, and her sister Petra -- daughters of jazz bassist Charles Haden -- were in an overlooked L.A. band called "that dog" before Rachel hooked up with Jimmy Eat World through a mutual friend.
The band has certainly honed its craft over the years, opting for more concise pop songs with enough of an abstract edge to keep things interesting while leaving room for each listener's interpretation.
In the case, with Jimmy Eat World, nice guys finish first.
Click for online
calendars and events.
