(Artist Report)

Written by:  Ginny Gaines

The Heavy Eyes are a hard-hitting rock band from Memphis, Tennessee, formed in 2010. The original members are Tripp Shumake (vocals/guitar), Wally Anderson (bass), and Eric Garcia (drums)—met through the local music scene and started playing together for fun. They were originally known as Indian Sweat Lodge, but after a few gigs and recording sessions, they switched to The Heavy Eyes, a name that matched their tired, gritty vibe from juggling day jobs and late-night band practice. They later added Matt Qualls (guitar/vocals), who had been their sound engineer on previous albums. His addition helped fill out their sound and allowed them to create more layered, guitar driven tracks.

The Heavy Eyes play a mix of blues rock, psychedelic rock, and stoner rock. Their music feels raw, heavy, and soulful. Their style is often described as loud, like Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin, southern, with blues influences from Mississippi and Memphis, and trippy, they know how to get groovy and soulful. The band mixes traditional blues grooves with modern heaviness, so you get something that feels both old school and fresh.

In 2012, Heavy Eyes released their self titled album. It has 11 songs on it that include "Pinwheels," "Iron Giants," "Wax Apple," "Where Is Wilder," "Supermoon," and "Wolftickets." This album hit hard and earned them attention from rock blogs and vinyl collectors. The band released their next album titled Maera in 2012. This album has 11 tracks on it that include "Levantado" "One Hand On the Buffalo," "These Men Are Wolves," "Lately," "Goodnight," and "Apolmado." This album helped them grow their fanbase.

The Heavy Eyes released their next album titled He Dreams of Lions in 2015. This album has 11 songs on it that include "Shadow Shaker," "Saint," "Hail to the King, Baby," "Smoke Signals," "Littlefinger," and "Modern Shells." This album was a fan favorite. In 2020, the band released their latest album titled Love Like Machines. This album has 10 tracks on it that include "Made for the Ages," "Hand of Bear," "God Damn Wolf Man," "Bright Light," "The Profession," and "Idle Hands." The album got great reviews and showed that The Heavy Eyes were stronger than ever.

The Heavy Eyes have built a loyal fan base by playing clubs, bars, and rock festivals around the world. Some key appearances include: SXSW (Austin, TX), Freak Valley Festival (Germany), Electric Funeral Fest (Denver, CO), Monolith on the Mesa (New Mexico), and RippleFest and Goat Fest. They’ve toured in the U.S. and Europe, and their live shows are known for being loud, sweaty, and packed with energy. Fans love the way their music sounds live and, sometimes even more than on record.

In 2017, the band slowed down. Some members moved to other cities, and lead singer Tripp Shumake was diagnosed with kidney failure. He had to go on dialysis and wait for a transplant. That understandably put things on hold. But in 2019, Tripp had a successful kidney transplant. Not long after, the band reconnected, finished Love Like Machines, and started writing new material. Covid slowed down their touring plans, but the fire never went out. The band is actively writing and recording new songs. They’re planning a new album release in 2025. They’re expected to return to the stage in 2026, with shows at rock festivals like Planet Desert Rock Weekend VI. They’ve shared updates with fans on Reddit, reassuring everyone that they’re still active, still writing, and taking their time to create something great.

That will do it for this report on Heavy Eyes. In closing, please just know, Soundwave Music Media will be here and I will always do my best to bring you the rock music report! Please consider supporting me and the crew by purchasing a Soundwave shirt or hat and support our sponsors! Until next time... Rock on friends🤘

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