Jimmy Eat World’s anniversary tour touches down in Vancouver

In 2001, Jimmy Eat World released a life-changing, career-changing album called Bleed American.

Now, 25 years later, the band is touring the world in celebration – bringing die-hard fans and new fans to dance to an album that brings nostalgia to a different time.

“Bleed American was the third album we made, and it definitely changed our lives. There was a huge shift in everything for us,” said Rick Burch, bassist for Jimmy Eat World.

“Before Bleed American’s popularity, we were driving ourselves around North America in a van and just playing dive bars, small theatres and having a great time doing what we love.”

To say life changed for the four-piece band from Arizona is to put it mildly.

“We traded the van for a tour bus, and we hired a crew to help us get on and off stages. It took off from there – we got to see more of the world, we went overseas, totally mind-blowing for us and really exciting.”

The band was thrust into the mainstream after putting out three prior albums.

For Burch, Bleed American meant new, growing audiences, more gigs in new places, and a connection with fans.

“It’s very important to take this opportunity to acknowledge this momentous event, which is the anniversary of Bleed American, and just realize the honour [of] what a big thing and special thing this is for us and our fans.”

Burch recognizes that the album grew so much that it no longer just belonged to the band, but to the fans as well.

“It became everyone’s.”

As the album was about to be released, four singles were released to promote it.

Most people are familiar with one of the highest-charting of those singles, “The Middle,” which remains Burch’s favourite to play off the album.

“From the first notes – to see faces light up in smiles. It never gets old. I’ll never grow weary of performing “The Middle.” It is always a good time.”

The set list for the anniversary tour, of course, includes the whole album from front to back, but when deciding what songs to add into the show, to make a proper set time, the band worked together to come up with a cohesive history of the band.

“We begin the set with songs that we were playing before Bleed American. There are some Clarity tunes to others that we set the stage for what would happen before we play Bleed American.”

Then the band takes the audience on a journey past Bleed American to newer songs.

“We go into some things that happened immediately after the Bleed American touring cycle. It’s almost like a snapshot of those years of our rock and roll life.”

The anniversary tour has been the biggest tour that Jimmy Eat World has ever done, and Burch and the rest of the band are having an absolutely fantastic time.

“Sharing this with so many people, it’s another view for us. I have to pitch myself. It’s 25 years later, and new things are still happening.”

“It’s amazing, and I just want to thank all the fans who are coming to the show and having a good time.”

While the band enjoys the tour and lives in the moment of celebration with fans, they are still thinking about new music.

“We’re very excited to take this year in honour of Bleed American, but within that same breath, we’re also very excited about the new musical ideas that are developing and looking forward to creating another album.”

Jimmy Eat World bring their 25th Anniversary of Bleed American tour to Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre on Sunday, July 19.

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