Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World Interview

September 10, 2001

This interview was conducted with Rick from Jimmy Eat World outside the Agora after their totally awesome show. I think Rick was drunk.

Cynthia: How long have you guys been a band?

Rick: We've been a band for seven years.

Cynthia: Describe your sound.

Rick: Our sound is teen summer rock.

Cynthia: What are your musical influences?

Rick: Anything rock and roll, anything blues, some rap, some R&B, its all good.

Cynthia: I was in Phoenix for your CD release show, which was free. You know there’s a lot of bands out there that forget their roots, don't support their hometown and stuff. What drives you guys to do that? Like free shows and stuff.

Rick: Its hard for us to forget about our fans because they won't let us. They're such good fans, its like insane. We have the best bands in the world. For real. They support us through thick and thin. They're the true drive. They keep us going.

Cynthia: Are you surprised at your sudden blowing up? Or were you eventually expecting it?

Rick: No, not expecting it, but we've been working for a lot of people to like the band and know about it and finally some things are happening.

Cynthia: How do you think your old fans are reacting to your new CD?

Rick: Someone wrote on our website "I can't wait to go see Jimmy Eat World, I just hope they don't play anything off their new CD". And its like, that’s cool.

Cynthia: Is it just like you guys have transitioned to a newer sound?

Rick: Its definitely changed from the older stuff. But I think it’s a progression and I think its grown as we've grown as people, the music has grown.

Cynthia: Who is the lyricist of the group?

Rick: Jim.

Cynthia: Do you have any favorite tour experiences?

Rick: We got to open up for Weezer in London. That was pretty fantastic.

Cynthia: What is your favorite city to play in?

Rick: Your hometown. No, my favorite city is probably New York. No its gotta be Austin. No, Cleveland. No, its gotta be Chicago. No, I think its Phoenix. No, I think it’s L.A. No, it’s Seattle.

Cynthia: So everywhere.

Rick: Yeah.

Cynthia: Do you ever get stage fright or are you like past that.

Rick: Sometimes. Not as much anymore. But there’s always that anticipation and adrenaline rush. It’s great.

Cynthia: What song do you think the crowd reacts to the most?

Rick: Sweetness.

Cynthia: Yeah, that's what I think. My personal favorite as far as live goes is The Authority Song. It’s so sing-along-able and catchy.

Rick: Yeah. I like that one too. It’s a good one. I wish more people appreciate it as much as you do.

Cynthia: What do you think about the Phoenix scene right now? Do you know of any bands blowing up out of there right now?

Rick: No, there’s like different levels of the scene in Phoenix. There’s like the bar rock level and then there’s like the do-it-yourself level, like punk rock. There’s a lot of good small bands like Reuben's Accomplice, the band opening for us. They're from our hometown and they're great.

Cynthia: When will you be working on a new album.

Rick: Late 2002 probably. We're always working on them. Jim is always writing. But as far as us sitting down in the studio, it will be a while. We've got a lot of touring.

Cynthia: What does the future hold for you guys as a band?

Rick: A big adventure. I don't know exactly what. Maybe we'll self-destruct at light speed, I don't know.

Cynthia: Any last comments?

Rick: Henry, are you taking a pee over there?

*Highlight with Jim Atkins*

Cynthia: Can you tell me what speycide is? Someone said it was a place in Scottland that makes whiskey.

Jim: Yeah. If you already know, then what's the big deal?

Cynthia: I just wanted you to say it.

Jim: Its not a term that people would even, like Scottish whiskey fanatics, would toss around to describe a particular brand. It’s just an area, it’s a region. It’s my feeble attempt at being witty, and it’s not going over too well.

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