US band Jimmy Eat World look back: ‘I would play The Middle five times in a row if the other guys would let me’

Composite of Jimmy Eat World in 2001 and 202​6Jimmy Eat World in ​2001 and 202​6. Later photograph: ​Steve Craft/The Guardian. Styling: Abby Ripes. ​Grooming: Lillian Fogel. Archive image: Christopher Wray-McCannJimmy Eat World are an alternative rock band from Mesa, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Formed by vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind in 1993, they have released 10 albums – including their 2001 breakthrough record, Bleed American. Its hit single, The Middle, peaked at No 5 in the US Hot 100 chart; it has now had more than 1bn streams. The band mark the 25th anniversary of the album with a series of shows this summer including UK appearances in August in Halifax, Cardiff and Gunnersbury Park, London.Jim (centre)This was taken right before Bleed American was released. The photographer wanted to capture the sprawl of Phoenix, so the idea was to go to the outskirts where construction was happening. Beyond that, there was no pre-planned concept or specific pose. We probably would have called each other that morning and asked, “Hey, are you wearing blue?” “I think I’m going to wear red.” “OK, cool. I’m not wearing red.”I’ve known Zach since preschool