Zach Lind, drummer of the iconic band Jimmy Eat World, has spent over three decades shaping the sound of alternative rock. Growing up in AZ, Zach’s journey began with childhood jam sessions alongside bandmate Jim Adkins. Known for his relentless dedication and raw talent, Zach has played a vital role in creating some of the band’s most memorable hits. Now a proud Arcadia resident and family man, Zach continues to evolve as a musician and a mainstay of his community, balancing life between the stage and home.
In an exclusive Q&A, we dig deep into the world of the Jimmy Eat World drummer chatting candidly about Zach’s evolution from small-town musician to rock icon. This is Zach Lind raw, real, and reflective on a life spent in rhythm.
Jimmy Eat World is gearing up for the band's first time performing at Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding. Are you pumped?
We respect Alice Cooper so much—not only for his impact as an artist but for all the work he does in the community. We’re thrilled to partake!
How did your band, Jimmy Eat World, get together?
We all grew up in Mesa. Jim, our singer, and I went to preschool together. Around age 10, he’d come over and we’d play music—him on guitar and me on drums. We were into bands like Metallica and Guns N' Roses. It wasn’t until high school that we formed our band along with Tom, and eventually got Rick on bass. That’s been our lineup for over 30 years.
Did you always love the drums?
I started with the saxophone in 4th or 5th grade... but wasn’t great at it. My teacher suggested drums after seeing me on the toms, and that simple moment set me on this path.
Besides music, what were you into as a kid?
I was all about sports. My dad played professional baseball, and after he was done playing pro, he started coaching, scouting and managing teams. When I was young, as soon as the first day of summer rolled around, we'd get in our mom's car and drive to wherever my dad was working. I was always out on the ball field with my dad, running around and shagging fly balls.
I had the lucky fortune of being surrounded by professional baseball players, so baseball always came easy to me- I loved playing and loved the game. However, I didn't get along with my high school coach and got so fed up that I quit my senior year, left the field, got in my car, and went straight to band practice.
How did you guys come up with the band name, Jimmy Eat World?
Tom, our guitarist, has two younger brothers, Jim and Ed. They got into a fight one day, and Ed drew a funny picture of Jim eating the world, poking fun at his weight. We thought it was hilarious, and after a 5-minute conversation, we decided to be Jimmy Eat World.
What was the turning point for your band’s success?
It was when we released "The Middle." Even though we signed with Capitol Records out of high school, our first two albums flopped, and the label dropped us. We self-funded Bleed American, and when "The Middle" came out, it blew up.
How did you handle the rise to fame?
At the time, we didn’t notice it much beyond the growing show sizes. We were young and mostly just having fun. I was 23, and it was a blast, but we didn’t fully grasp how big things had gotten. We just didn’t want to mess it up.
Any standout moments or memories?
Being the musical guest on Saturday Night Live—that was surreal and summed up our level of success at the time.
As an ever-evolving band, how do you stay relevant?
We’ve just tried to ride the line of being ourselves and making sure we stay who we are, but at the same time, challenge ourselves to keep evolving. The last record we put out was in 2019. Now, our goal is making a new album we're proud of. When that's going to be done is to be determined.
What’s your favorite song to perform?
“Goodbye, Sky Harbor.”
When did you move to Arcadia?
We moved to Arcadia in 2010. I love it here—we have great restaurants, schools, and many things to do. Life just feels more centered here. I love the D-Backs and the Cards. I enjoy going to games with my kids.
What’s your family life like?
My wife and I started dating as teens, and we’re coming up on 25 years of marriage. She’s seen the band go from sketchy gigs to massive festival crowds. We have three awesome kids. It’s a sacrifice that everyone in the family makes to support my career.
What was the best gift you ever got from Santa… and anything on your wish list this year?
The best gift I ever got when I was a kid was a GI Joe Hovercraft. Yeah. I was so pumped. Now from Santa? I’m really into photography, so maybe some new gear.
Jimmy Eat World is excited to perform at Alice Cooper’s annual Christmas Pudding on December 7th, 2024.
jimmyeatworld.com