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 In todays prefab, pop melodromatic world, I feel the need to look to somewhat.. less colloquial ways to spend my time. Jimmy Eat World in London it is then. The day starts as normal. I wake up, rub my bleary eyes and see a big round red face staring at me, punching my chest shouting 'GET UP, THE TRAINS IN 10 MINUTES'. That can only mean one thing... I've overslept, My friend Stuart's got annoyed and came to get me awake, to go and see Jimmy Eat World! I'll spare you the expense of imagining me getting dressed and washed/shaved, and cut to the chase. Literally, the chase. We run out of my house, down and across the road, and jump the train barrier as it goes down, in order to catch it. Aboard we get, and start the days festivities... London Ahoy. The usual boring 40 minute train ride seems to take 20 minutes today, due to the array of sick/sexist jokes which pass our lips, and the fact that we have problems stifling our laughter from Rob, the third member of our party, who had been involved in an infamous pen-on-face incident, and hadnt slept, thus had not got up and washed his face. Let's just say, he made it the whole day with something quite rude scrawled on his forehead. We get to Brixton about 5pm, and join the already growing queue of strangly dressed... strange people. Brixton Academy is quite a smart little place. Theres a big floor, on three levels, and a big seating area at the back. Last time I went to Brixton Academy was back in March, the 25th to be exact, I saw System Of A Down there. I seem to recall the sound system being rather bad quality last time, but I was about to see the improvement. Maybe it was the band? Maybe it was the sound system. So anyway, Into the crowd we go. Not ones for standing around outside the pit, we dive right in. Now, we arent exactly small. Put it that way. somehow, we force our way onto the barrier, and by the time the abysmal support band, The Promise Ring have abdicated the stage, all three of us are wedged somewhat uncomfortably onto the rib-shattering barrier. Half an hour of the crowd playing vollyball with a beach ball follows, whilst Jimmy Eat World prepare to enter. At last, the time comes. The band jump on stage, and burst into a colourfull (Yes, colour, I'm English) version of Praise Chorus. As per usual at a Jimmy Eat World concert, the crowd outsings the band. Actually, It's quite a nice feeling, singing along, with about 2500 other people, all at the same time. The band are perfectly in unison, and the music quality in general was great. You could hear him sing, but not understand it. A strange concept I know, but Jim Adkins (Vocals, guitar) does tend to murmour, but in a fashion that you know exactly what he's saying, without having to hear the words. The Mesa, Arizona Quartet, greatly exceed any standard I had previously set for them. They are a great band, who blossom when playing live. From my good view point, center stage, I could literally feel the energy buzzing on the stage. With Rick Burch (bass) on the right hand side of me, Tom Linton (guitar, vocals) on my left, Jim in the center, and Zach Lind the drummer behind him, the stage seems somewhat empty. The light's dim, making the stage appear smaller, and then the backdrop turns a flourescent purple. Bizarre? No. It's time for Bleed American. Ever been hurt in a crowd of people? I have. I am sure I recracked my rib, which i originally injured about a meter away from where I was standing tonight. However, Fate... is a blessing at times, and the crowd stops surging. I'm rambling. But it's with an intent. I can not describe how the music made me feel. It's not punk, It's not hardcore, and the band will exterminate you if you refer to it as Emo. It's none of the above, to be poltically correct. It's one thing, and one thing only... Jimmy Eat World! I would tell you the setlist, but i was far too engrossed in the music to realise, or more remember exactly what the list was. I urge you, If you want to go and see a band, which sing about something worth singing about, go and see Jimmy Eat World. They can play live, contrary to popular belief... do not listen to anyone who says otherwise! I'm now a big Jimmy fan. I wasnt this morning; I think you get the idea. It's got to get an eight i'm afraid though. The support band really let the show down, and the crowd atmosphere, as is becoming ever so common now at Brixton, was rather boring. The crowd were also quite violent, in the sense that the bigger members of the audience were using it to their advantage by forcing smaller members out of the way. It didnt bother me in a literal sense, because I'm quite broad, but I did feel abit sorry for the smaller peoples. Also, Jimmy Eat World do this rather annoying thing, of not interacting with the crowd. The music did make up for it in away, but the crowd does like to be acknowledged, Even if it's an insult :) So nevermind boys, The Promise Ring are not a support band, It's time to move on, and next time.. look at the crowd! One last thing though, The Promise ring, arent that bad. Abysmal was abit strong. They simply are not fitting for what I consider a support band. All due respect, they are very talented musicians and have acchieved far more in their music than I ever will, but they are not my thing. I wish them luck in the future, they've got a way to go, but I'm sure they will make it in the end. Those of you who are familiar with Jimmy Eat World's story, will know that it's not that easy, and if you havent read it, www.jimmyeatworld.com/history/ is where you can find it, Go read, It's certainly worth a look. To conclude, Minus the crowd atmosphere, It was a great evening. The train ride home was spent talking to a young woman from New York, and we then went into the town at home and went to a nightclub. Needless to say, I came home, very poor. Nevermind, Who needs money... I've just seen Jimmy Eat World! - Gary
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