The Deadeyes rose from the ashes of Philadelphia’s indie soul punk band Grubstake (which originally started in Boston before upgrading). This violin driven 3-piece effortlessly traverses the musical genres of punk, roots-rock and soul. John Coursey, who also performs regularly with the rotating Philly psychedelic improv ensemble Kohoutek and has been making experimental space-noise with the Mikroknytes for over two decades, creates sonorous string contributions that have been compared to The Velvet Underground’s John Cale, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds' Warren Ellis, and the late avant-garde drone master Tony Conrad.

Guitarist Patrick McHugh and drummer David McMullin (who lives in Queens) are the fiery guitar and rhythm counterpoint to Coursey's multi-layered wall of sound. The musical roots of the Deadeyes are closer aligned with the mid-80s alternative punk scene than the more recent emo outfits or garage rock traditionalist such as the White Stripes. McHugh’s lead vocals can carry the band with the same emotional urgency as early Replacements and Hüsker Dü while infusing intelligent humor as the shape shifting Camper Van Beethoven.

The band released their third collection of recordings in May of 2025, called "200 Miles", a reference to the distance band members travel each time they get together between their homes in Philadelphia, PA and Queens, NYC. The tracks were initially recorded on tape at the band's favorite Philly studio, The Mind Cabin run by Adam Garbinski, before being meticulously mixed at Spice House Sound by Grammy-nominated sound engineer Eric Bogacz. The new recordings further develop The Deadeyes' trademark sound texture combining DIY intimacy with fine-tuned lushness.