Solar Eyes

Solar Eyes are a psych-shocking, sonics-rocking duo from Birmingham, UK. Comprising centrifugal forces Glenn Smyth (vocals/guitar) and Sebastian Maynard Francis (drums), they return with their second album following the critically acclaimed self-titled debut released in February 2024.

‘Live Freaky! Die Freaky!’ is a desert-dreaming, dustball-kicking, highway-venturing slab of ragged glory. It takes the Spaghetti Junction Western vibes of their debut and injects darker, broader, bleaker shades. Smyth describes the lyrical themes as “sinister, brutal and vicious” — a squint at the dark side of the West Coast sun. Influences include The Doors, The Stooges, BRMC, Ennio Morricone, The Velvet Underground, and even a touch of Charlie Manson on closer ‘Hello Charlie’.



The album was recorded at Courtyard Studio in Oxfordshire (home to Radiohead, Supergrass, Band of Skulls), co-produced by Ian Davenport and mixed by long-time collaborator Jeff Knowler. The journey began with ‘I See the Sun’ in 2021, a track Jeff said sounded like it belonged in a Tarantino film. That led Smyth down a rabbit hole of Manson Family lore, CIA conspiracies, and savage California dreamings — all filtered through a caravan retreat in Skegness and a haze of Fear and Loathing.



Already championed by Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music, featured in The Observer, and praised by Louder Than War for their “psych-scorched swagger,” Solar Eyes recently appeared on the TalkSport Breakfast Show, bringing their Brummie psych-rock to a whole new audience of early risers and football fanatics. Their music has also been featured on Match of the Day, soundtracking the beautiful game with a dose of sonic grit and cinematic swagger.

Presented by CLUB.THE.MAMMOTH.

This is an 18+ event