AMERICAN rock group Jimmy Eat World have been forced to take the slow road to success.

Dropped by their record label after two albums, the Arizona group then had to postpone the release of their 2001 album Bleed American following the events in the States on September 11, 2001.

Despite these setbacks, Jimmy Eat World have managed to fight their way back into the mainstream, and have just embarked on their latest tour around the UK and Ireland to showcase their most recent album, Futures.

The tour includes a date at the Portsmouth Pyramid Centre on Thursday, just after the release of their latest single, Work, out on Monday.

The group's current material is slightly darker than their previous releases, but their trademark pop-punk style is still intact.

Jimmy Eat World recently toured the US with Razorlight.

This time, they will co-headline the gig with the band Taking Back Sunday. Both bands will be supporting Green Day later this summer.

Tickets £13.50. Box office: 023 9282 4355.

HAYLEY DUNLOP