Jimmy Eat World played to a packed crowd at Showbox Sodo Monday night July 15th. They played songs from their brand new release Damage as well as many of their classics. Jimmy Eat World is from Mesa, Arizona, that formed in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind.
One of the most fun moments of Monday night’s show was when they played Hear You Me, a quiet and sensuous song. Many in the crowd pulled out lighters while others held up illuminated cell phones and swayed back and forth for the entire song.
There isn’t a whole lot of interaction from Jimmy Eat World with their audience, but their music certainly speaks volumes. Their catchy and melodic tunes can be both soulful and also have a bit of a harder edge and more energy like Pain.
Other highlights included their Praise Chorus in which they repeat the chorus from the old song by Tommy James & the Shondells, Chrimson and Clover, Over and Over.
The audience at this concert was far tamer than the one I’d experienced at Rancid just days before. Jimmy Eat World fans don’t really mosh. They just sort of sway back and forth with gusto. There were maybe one or two crowd surfers and that was it.
It was great seeing Jimmy Eat World again. The last time I saw them they were the supporting act for Blink 182 and Green Day at the Tacoma Dome. That was in May of 2002 and The Middle was getting ample airplay.
And speaking of The Middle, it wasn’t until the last song of the encore that they played that song. I could sense the electricity in the air as everyone waited for it and when they opened the chords and lit into the song, the whole place was jumping — literally. There wasn’t a still body in that whole venue.
Few bands are playing such catchy and melodic songs any more, leaving Jimmy Eat World to carry on. These guys have really grown into themselves since I last saw them. They’ve matured, but haven’t lost touch with their youthful exuberance. They put on a fun-filled show and I have no doubt everyone who came out to see them on this Monday night went home happy. I know I did.
– Holly Homan
