Jimmy Eat World
Dara, Anna and Heath drove down from Bangor today, and Simon and I joined them for the Jimmy Eat World concert at the Dunkin Donuts Center. However much I’d like to say it was a great time, I really can’t bring myself to do it. Jimmy Eat World is probably the worst band I’ve ever seen at working a crowd. And it turns out they weren’t headlining. They were co-headlining with Taking Back Sunday, who came on after them, and weren’t terribly good. Plus, their lead singer walks like a robot, and swings the microphone around as if to compensate for a lack of other skills. (And has the most effeminate walk of anyone I’ve ever seen.) So that was a bit of a letdown.
It was really good to see Dara and Anna and Heath, and they came back to the apartment and had a few drinks with us and we had a good time, but the evening didn’t really seem as good as it could have been.
Simon and I headed down to the GCB after they had left, and had a good time hanging out with the Brown folk, and retiring to a friend’s place where we sat talking and eating pizza.
Comments
Worst letdown ever. I keep thinking about the concert and how I was SOOO excited and completely hyped it up in my mind. I compared it to when I went to see the Pumpkins(even though I’m not quite as fanatically obsessed with jimmy eat world), which was a big show, they had a really good set, they played for a good few hours, talked to the audience. I don’t remember the opening band, or if there even was one, I just remember that they played for more than an hour and it rocked and I had a great time (even though I had two little imps with me making fun of the “dancing monkey” ;) ). Maybe Jimmy eat world would have connected more with the audience if they’d been able to play for more than an hour, and instead they just wanted to pack in as many songs as they could. Anyway, I can’t stop thinking about it, because as much as I want to try to enjoy the experience, short though it was, I can’t help but be overwhelmed with disappointment and…shock, I guess. I don’t understand how such a lame band who is really just starting out who has a lead singer who prances around like a raptor and has practically no musical talent could supersede jimmy eat world. I mean, who decided this anyway? I tried going to the Jimmy website, trying to find something, anything that could possibly make a better experience out of that night. If I could just find a good picture of them rocking out or download a live track from the concert, maybe it would make it worth it. I found some cool pics of them playing live at WBRU earlier that day, and messages from other fans in NJ and NY who talked about how much the opening band (yes, OPENING BAND) Taking Back Sunday sucked and a list of all the songs that Jimmy eat world played and even the encore songs…so I guess they decided to switch off and we got the shit end of the deal. The more I think about it the more pissed I get. I wish I could find a recording of a live concert they did and then in my head I would just pretend that was the concert I saw so I could actually have some gratification. Or maybe I’ll have to see them in concert again sometime and actually go down to the pit.
But anyway, on a brighter note, it was awesome to get out of Maine for a weekend and see Greg and Simon and where you guys live and just hang out. I’ll have to come down some other time so we can hang out more. Or, you guys are welcome to come up to my place anytime. I have an extra guest bedroom and everything!
Posted by: dara on April 18th, 2005 10:20 AMI agree about the name. People call it “The Dunk.” Worst ever. Oh, and the place is filled with Dunkin Donuts, because after rocking out to a show, what you’re really craving is a coffee and a boston creme donut. Bleh.
Posted by: kasei on April 18th, 2005 2:17 PMJust one of the many reasons why Providence sucks. Greg, when you moving out of there?
Posted by: Benjamin on April 20th, 2005 1:28 AMLast night I saw the show myself, and i must say it was amazing. I felt that Taking Back Sunday was awesome and Jimmy Eat World should have opened up for them because they didn’t have a lot of energy. I loved the show. Oh, and the opening band .. the formats, was it? Well, they sucked. I’d see it again tonight if I could. What would motivate you all to see the show at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center ?! That’s your fault.
Posted by: Kirsten on April 20th, 2005 3:42 PMran across your site while searching for anything regarding Red Mars. i cant believe that you not only appear to be a fan, but mention kasei vallis and mangalavid… awesome.
yeah i caught the jew at u of i back on the tenth, it was a better show with taking back sunday opening first and actually giving jimmy time to work the crowd as the final act
Posted by: graham on April 22nd, 2005 6:32 PMI’ll say it for you: It was a great night. I, for one, had lots of fun.
Posted by: Simon on April 22nd, 2005 7:59 PMi for one had the best time at the concert. it was my third time seeing taking back sunday and they were on that night like no other band. i met eddie after the show and i got my second drumstick from them. taking back sunday was amazing and i think jimmy eat world put on a really nice show. fuck you to everyone who cannot see real talent….those two bands could kick your asses anyday.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 30th, 2005 9:51 AMI think that all you people who don’t appreciate Taking Back Sunday and Jimmy Eat World are stuck up and should shut up until you get up on stage and start singing. I play piano and sing at the same time and you have no idea what it’s like to get up on stage and have people watching your every move. All those people who liked the concert…ROCK ON!!!! You are the people of the future. Your good taste in music with lead the way.
Posted by: Anonymous on June 7th, 2005 7:46 PMFirst off, I never said anything about Jimmy Eat World’s quality of music — merely their quality of performance. (Taking Back Sunday, however, was simply awful.) I recognize that it’s difficult to perform in front of people, which is why I felt OK with commenting on how well JEW performed. Their music is great, but they simply aren’t great performers. This isn’t meant as an attack, simply a statement of my impression of the show.
Second, if you want to tell me to shut up, and call me names, at least have the courage to sign your name. Or leave an email address. Don’t you dare question my qualifications to comment, and claim to be of the group that puts yourself out there in front of people, and then start making snarky remarks behind a veil of annonymity. It’s sickening.
Posted by: kasei on June 7th, 2005 11:47 PMI hate to say it, but these have a point with which I happen to strongly agree. I stand Anonymous now as a point of solidarity with my brothers and sisters.
Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday are lyrical demi-gods walking the earth, blessing it with every note they produce. I feel it is not only my right but my unshakable duty to associate with a band to such a degree that I begin to identify with them. When you viciously attack these bands, who have more talent than you ever will, because you suck, you’re actually just jealous and trying to tear us down.
How can one not love J.E.W.’s “Bleed American” or TBS’ “A Decade Under the Influence”?! Hello, this is good music, America! Get out of your computer chair for once and get a life!
People who refuse to acknowledge the talent of Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday need a wake-up call, seriously. These people who can’t see Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday for all they are worth should be tagged and put in re-education camps.
“I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world can live as one.” -John Lennon, Imagine
Posted by: Anonymous on June 10th, 2005 10:40 AMI saw JEW and TBS on April 12th. I went for Jimmy Eat World, and well, I thought they were pretty damn good. However, I’m not here to say “OMGZ0RZ LIKE HOW CAN U NOT LIKE DEEZ BANDS”.
I’m commenting because somebody labelled Taking Back Sunday “lyrical demi-gods”. No. Never do it again. Their lyrics are sub-par especially without John Nolan, and I’ve been able to learn all the guitar parts to their songs in a matter of minutes.
Posted by: Lurker on July 17th, 2005 8:41 PM
The Dunkin Donuts Center?? You gotta be kidding me! Some companies just should not be allowed to buy naming rights.
Posted by: gary on April 18th, 2005 12:23 AM