Photo: Wenn
When you think of Jimmy Eat World you think of a good old fashioned American rock band. Loved by pretty much everyone who's ever listened to their music, they've been gracing stages with their signature brand of breezy harmonic rock for over 20 years, and according to band members Jim Adkins and Tom Linton after sitting down with Gigwise to talk various topics in an extensive interview, they won't be stopping anytime soon.
New album
Back with their ninth studio album, Integrity Blues is a reminder that a rock album can still be a musical collage of thoughts, feelings and subject matters. There's no set blueprint when it comes to creating. "We wanted to present an overview of what you might expect," said lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins of the album. "And then [we wanted] to get into the extremes of that. With the first couple of songs we're sort of introducing where the album could possibly go stylistically and energy-wise. There's bits and pieces of the range within the first couple songs and then you can explore the themes a lot deeper."
New Song
One of the highlights on the album is a song by the name of 'You Are Free'. Cutting deep into the soul, the mid-tempo track is a relatable moment that explores many of life's barriers. Whether they be physical, mental, emotional, or memories from your past that hang around like a bad smell, it's not until you understand what's in your way that you can be free. "A lot of our suffering is our own making," explained Adkins. "It comes down to a choice of whether or not you're going to relive pain or accept it as a part of your past... The best way to negotiate your past is to just be present."
Kelly Clarkson
Aside from the new album, a lot of other topics were discussed. One in particular that stood out was the copyright claim involving Kelly Clarkson. In the midst of the Robin Thicke vs. Marvin Gaye scandal involving 'Blurred Lines', another claim was brought to the attention of the public. Did America's sweetheart rip off some chords from Jimmy Eat World's pop rock classic, 'The Middle' for her song 'Heartbeat Song'? Commenting on the increasing rise in copyright claims in music at length, Adkins did his best John Travolta Saturday Night Fever impression, dancing around the original question of whether or not legal action was taken or a conversation was had with Clarkson or her people.
Beastie Boys
Lightening the mood a little more, it turns out Adkins and Linton have a pretty good comedy double act routine on the go that they could so easily tour. When asked whether or not they had spoken to or had a relationship with the Beastie Boys - this because the vinyl version of the band's 2001 album American Bleed was released on the Beastie Boys label Grand Royale - they proceeded to make up a story involving Linton freestyling on stage with the Beasties. Making fun of ill Will for believing the story, this then set the tone for the rest of the interview. With so many stories told, which were real? The one about skydiving with Steve Jobs was pretty good but obviously not true... or was it?
Taylor Swift
Also touching upon Taylor Swift's lip syncing rendition of 'The Middle' for an Apple ad campaign - it turns out that both Adkins and Swift performed the record together on stage in Glendale, Arizona a few years back - the guys also briefly spoke about a video that recently surfaced of Kurt Cobain's daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, playing a clip of 'The Middle' on her Instagram.
Jimmy Eat World's new album, Integrity Blues, is out October 21st, get it here.
