JAKE SMITH (EYE FLYS): “We Wanted This One To Sound Extra Gross And I Think It Worked”

Eye Flys hailing from Philadelphia mix a blend of Noise Rock, Metal and Sludge. The group has been consistently writing and recording since 2019 and just released a new EP entitled Exigent Circumstance. The band’s guitarist/vocalist, Jake Smith, took the time to talk with Metal Express Radio about the band’s new EP, the consistent writing and recording with the band, plans for touring, his favorite albums of the year, and more. Check out the chat below!

Metal Express Radio: The band’s new EP Exigent Circumstance was released November 19th, what can you tell fans about the band’s latest EP?

Jake Smith: The EP was written and recorded during the pandemic stay at home orders fresh off of cancelling the tours we had set up to support our last record which came out the week everything shut down. What we managed to put together for this new EP I think is an accurate sonic representation of the chaotic but persistent downs our hearts and minds were going through. We wanted this one to sound extra gross and I think it worked.

MER: With another EP and a full-length album out, how was the writing and recording process for this EP?

JS: Writing the music was largely Patrick and I meeting up at our practice space in Philly once a week, setting up far apart and masked up jamming riffs in between commiserating about our depression and woes etc; Spencer sent us videos of riffs that he contributed and we worked them into our jams that became the songs. The recording process was chill, since we record etc our bassist, Kevin. We spent a few days in his studio and used a lot of amps.

MER: How has it been having the band consistently writing and recording since 2019?

JS: It’s great to have the opportunity to release new music as often as we’re able. We all have other music projects outside of this band but it feels like when we work on Eye Flys songs that it’s a welcome break from the fast pacing of many of our other projects, which I think contributes heavily to how natural it feels for our songs to flow and come together.

MER: What do you see as far as plans for the band following the album’s release?

JS: We are hoping to be playing as many shows as we can, and we have more than half of a new full-length written!

MER: For anyone unfamiliar with the band, how would you describe your sound?

JS: Heavy Noise Rock for fans of Unsane, Melvins, and Harvey Milk

MER: If you could pick anyone to tour with headlining or support, who would it be and why?

JS: Unsane. They’re one of our biggest influences and probably the favorite amongst what the 4 of us can agree on. Also Boris, because their balance of artistic vision and sheer presence is something to aspire to, plus it’d be fun to tour with another band named after a Melvins song. Oh yea, and Neurosis…could you imagine?

MER: Is there anywhere in particular that you are mostly looking forward to playing live and why?

JS: As far as what we have on the books right now, I’m super excited for the Chicago stop on our tour this December. Some of my best friends live there and our tour crosses with another one for the Chicago date for a single day fest of some of the best heavy bands out right now.

MER: What are your hopes for the band within the next few years?

JS: I’m hoping we can record a new LP in 2022, hit the west coast of the US and go to Europe. Then really hoping we can make it to Japan some time In the next couple of years.

MER: With 2021 almost over, what have been some of your favorite releases this year?

JS: Humant Blod – Flykten från verkligheten, Quarantine – Agony, Yautja – The Lurch, Human – Delicacies of Extinction, Bummer – Dead Horse, Ghosh – Alien Nation, Tyler The Creator – Call Me if You Get Lost, Nas – King’s Disease II, Rudimentary Peni – The Great War, Armand Hammer and The Alchemist – Haram, Genocide Pact – Genocide Pact (out in a couple weeks, it’s amazing), Full of Hell – Garden of Burning Apparitions 

MER: Out of the band’s two EP’s and full-length album, which of the three would you suggest to a new fan and why?

JS: I would suggest the full-length because I think it best represents all the pieces that make us whole, it paints the clearest picture so far of what we are as a band.

MER: Thanks for your time and stay safe and healthy!