Stephan Jenkins on Third Eye Blind’s Enduring Connection Across Generations

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LOS ANGELES, CA- It’s difficult to go anywhere these days and not hear a Third Eye Blind song. Underneath brilliant pop melodies lies deep and often explicit lyrical content. From ballads to rockers and everything in between, their music soundtracked much of the ‘90s and beyond. But instead of being relegated to nostalgia tours and appearances, Third Eye Blind has managed to stay in the collective consciousness, thanks in large part to their songcraft, but also to the way the new generation consumes music. We caught up with lead singer Stephan Jenkins backstage at Audacy KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas to talk about this and music he currently enjoys.

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It’s great to see bands from the 1990s, and even earlier, very relevant and vital now. It doesn’t exactly feel like nostalgia. What would you think the most enduring quality of your band is?

Stephan Jenkins: People find something in it that helps them as some kind of lattice work, some way of emotionally dealing with the world. But I don’t know. It’s kind of a mystery to me. In some ways, I feel like I’m just making that up. I see kids continuing to find it [the music] and they discovered through radio, and they discovered through file sharing, or whatever kind of way. And they seem to get something out of it and it makes them share it with each other.

It has to feel great connecting with different generations.

Stephan Jenkins: Makes you feel amazing. I feel absolutely thrilled.

(At this point, Jenkins notices the All-American Rejects backstage and has a fan moment)

Stephan Jenkins: Hey, I really like your band, by the way. I just gotta tell you guys. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’m a big fan.

Tyson Ritter: Likewise!

Stephan Jenkins: Just wanted to tell you. Hey, I don’t need to interrupt, And I think you guys talk really funny shit.

Tyson Ritter: Thanks!

Stephan Jenkins: Well played, sir. Sorry to interrupt.

What are some records you would put in someone’s stocking this year, with some new bands that we should all know about?

Stephan Jenkins: Oh, I like Ecca Vandal right now. It’s just one-chord kind of Australian punk rock. Feels good to me. Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) says he’s not going to write songs anymore, so you better scoop up that catalog while you can. That’s kind of very Christmas-y music.

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