In "Music meets Football", we speak to some of our artists about their love of the beautiful game and the teams they support. Our latest feature is with Glenn Smyth of Solar Eyes.
The vocalist/guitarist of the Birmingham psych rock duo is a lifelong fan of his hometown Blues. Formed by Smyth and drummer Sebastian Maynard Francis in 2021, Solar Eyes have since drawn crowds at tastemaker events like SXSW and The Great Escape and released a slew of warmly received singles, three EPs, one remix EP and two studio albums.
Last month saw the band release their sophomore full-length record Live Freaky! Die Freaky!. Recorded at Courtyard Studio in Oxfordshire, the album sees the duo take the Spaghetti Junction Western vibes of their self-titled debut and add in darker, broader, bleaker shades. The album was previewed by the singles ‘Murdering Hippies’ and ‘Set The Night On Fire’, the latter of which you can listen to on our unofficial Birmingham City playlist on Spotify.
Sport: Playlists: Tell us about how you became a fan of Birmingham City.
Glenn Smyth: I had no choice, unfortunately. My mum took me when I was a month old. It’s all I’ve known really, as both of my parents are Blues.
As it goes, my mum’s brothers are all Villa but wouldn’t take her to the games so she thought, “I’ll show you”, and went the Blues instead to spite them. She ended up on the TV a lot as in the 90’s she was part of the Blues Action Group, which was to rid us of the Kumar brothers. She then became the first female referee in Birmingham, refereeing Men’s Sunday morning matches. She was a trailblazer.
SP: What are your earliest memories of attending a game at St Andrews?
GS: I can remember standing on the Kop losing 6-4 to Swindon. We were 4-1 up with 30 mins to go and Glenn Hoddle (who I’m named after) came on and obliterated us.
SP: Who were your footballing heroes growing up – whether that be Blues players or otherwise?
GS: From a Blues point of view, Jose Dominguez or Paul Peschisolido. I modelled myself on Bryan Hughes a little too. I remember buying some Umbro Speciali boots because Georgi Kinkladze had them.
SP: Did you ever have any aspirations about becoming a professional footballer when you were a child? If so, how far did they go towards becoming a reality?
GS: Yeah I did, I was a very good player when I was younger. I played for Derby and even the lot across the road for a season. I then ended up at Kidderminster, but I was a bit slight and had a bad attitude really; didn’t have the brain power to work out and I needed to improve physically. So I ended up becoming a Zulu Warrior as I liked a drink and the shenanigans that came with it.
SP: What’s the best moment been in your time supporting Birmingham?
GS: Winning the League Cup against Arsenal in 2011. That was a feeling I never thought I’d experience. Superb.
SP: What are your hopes for the 2025/26 season?
GS: I had really high hopes but it feels like we’re stuttering a bit. We’ve had one shot on goal in five games. I always think as long as you have a go but lose then so be it, but being scared of the other team isn’t the Birmingham way.
SP: Who are your favourite players in the current Blues squad?
GS: I like Paik Seung-ho, think he’s a wonderful footballer. Demarai Gray looks like he still has it too. Think Kyōgo’s movement looks tops. I loved the Juke (Lukas Jutkiewicz) and we are pals too, but he retired at the end of last season.
SP: How important has the crossover between music and football been in your life?
GS: Probably the biggest, my three passions are fighting, football and music – working class pursuits really. I remember being in the “Tipsy Gent” public house in Bordesley Green as a kid with my dad, all the blokes would do is talk football. Great times and so lucky to have grown up without phones and all that nonsense.
SP: What song do you associate with a cherished footballing memory?
GS: Bit of an odd one. When we won the League Cup, the song they used on the montage at the end of the TV coverage was ‘Someone Like You’ by Adele; now I’m not an Adele fan but songs are like bookmarks of our lives. ‘Roll Out the Barrel’ is another one I’ve sang at the end of a Blues win.
SP: If you had to pick one Solar Eyes song for Birmingham to walk out to before kick-off at St Andrews, which one would it be?
GS: They’ve played ‘Alcatraz’ a few times before kick-off, which I think works – Fortress St Andrews. Although our new one ‘Set The Night On Fire’ would work too!
SP: You’ve just released your latest album Live Freaky! Die Freaky. Tell us a bit about the album and the reaction you’ve gotten since its release.
GS: The reviews have been amazing – it seems like the press are getting it. It’s all about the Manson family and being a part of it but trying to escape and is influenced by The Stooges, The Doors, Primal Scream and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
I’m always writing about escaping things – probably should stop getting myself into those situations. I was part of a cult when I was in my late teens but never knew haha. Long story.
SP: What plans do you have in store for the rest of 2025 that fans can look forward to?
GS: We have a small UK tour in October. We start in London on the 15th and then head to Liverpool, Brum, Bristol, Sheffield and then finally Paris on the 24th. We’re also booked for some decent festivals next year.
