Jimmy Eat World have played songs from Bleed American for decades, but according to Jim Adkins, they’ve never quite been able to perform some of them the way they always imagined.
With Jimmy Eat World returning to Australia this December for their biggest headline tour, to celebrate the album’s 25th anniversary, Adkins says experience has finally caught up with ambition.
Speaking with us, he explains why revisiting Bleed American feels different now, why the band has never chased trends over songwriting, and what Australian fans can expect when the landmark record is performed live.
For an album that’s spent 25 years cementing itself as one of alternative rock’s defining releases, Jim Adkins doesn’t spend much time looking backwards, he’s more focused on how Bleed American feels today.
Rediscovering music
One of the biggest surprises has been rediscovering songs that once felt almost impossible to recreate outside the studio:
“I think something that pops out to me is like playing songs like Cautioners or My Sundown. Now, when we made that album, those are songs that we felt like forget trying to play these live. Here’s the core idea of the song. Let’s make it as, as cool as we possibly can, any way that we have to.”
Twenty-five years later, that’s changed.
“I think our ability to perform has gotten to the place where I feel like we can do those types of songs without compromising anything now, and it’s like it’s just wild to hear it and feel it happening around me, as opposed to being like this creation, you know, from the studio.”
That evolution is one of the reasons this anniversary run feels different from simply revisiting an old record. Adkins says the songs themselves haven’t changed, but the band certainly has.
“I don’t know, I guess, like knowing what I know now, I probably would have just told my younger self to savor those moments more instead of like being in such a hurry to get to the next thing.”
The Middle
Even after all these years, Adkins is still surprised by the life Bleed American has taken on, particularly through ‘The Middle’.
“It’s crazy. It’s crazy… it’s just insane to think that, like, we are that… something for other people sometimes.”
“And to think there’s been 25 years of people discovering it, listening to it, and deciding that they see something in it that they can connect with… it’s a crazy… music is the craziest thing.”
Not just a legacy act
For Jimmy Eat World, though, celebrating the past has never come at the expense of making new music. While plenty of legacy acts lean into nostalgia, Adkins says the band has always been careful not to let trends dictate creativity.
“You got to protect the place that music is coming from and you have to protect your vision for what you want to say and what you want to make.”
“We’re never going to chase that in the place of like making music or doing something fun and rewarding for ourselves.”
It’s an approach that’s helped the band remain relevant long after many of their peers faded away.
Asked about the countless artists who’ve cited Jimmy Eat World as an influence, Adkins admits he still finds it surreal whenever someone records one of their songs.
“I think it’s crazy how many people, like when I see cover versions of our songs… I’m always a little surprised.”
There is one exception.
“I’m probably the most insane thing I’ve ever heard is Prince… he launched into a cover middle.”
“I don’t need any… music industry award… Prince wanting to cover one of our songs… is like that’s insane.”
Australia bound
As Jimmy Eat World prepare to return to Australia, Adkins says it’s still one of his favourite places in the world to tour.
“I just love it, you know. Everyone’s just cool.”
“It’s a special place… there’s a good quality of life… it seems like everybody’s just not chasing bullshit as much as they are in America.”
These shows won’t simply be another anniversary celebration, if Adkins is right, they’ll finally be hearing Bleed American performed the way Jimmy Eat World always hoped it could be.
Jimmy Eat World Australian Tour Dates:
- Thursday, December 10th – Sydney, Hordern Pavilion
- Friday, December 11th – Melbourne, Margaret Court Arena
- Saturday, December 12th – Adelaide, Hindley Street Music Hall
- Tuesday, December 15th – Brisbane, Riverstage
General public tickets are live via teglive.com.au.
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