HYENA SMYLE IGNITE THE SUNSHINE COAST WITH EXPLOSIVE DEBUT SINGLE THE PAYOFF

Single + Music Video OUT NOW — Stream It, Watch It, Support Local Music

Sunshine Coast indie pop/rock trio Hyena Smyle have officially stepped into the spotlight with the release of their debut single The Payoff, unleashed on Saturday 13 December 2025 across all major streaming platforms. It’s a fierce, fresh arrival that signals a new wave of alternative sound coming straight from our own backyard.

Formed in 2024, the female-fronted three-piece draw inspiration from the golden era of 80s and 90s alt-rock—think Garbage, Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins and Divinyls—while injecting a distinctly modern punch. The result? Catchy, high-energy tracks with raw edges, nostalgic grit and a signature ‘smyle’ that bites back.

Frontwoman Annie leads the charge with soaring alt-pop vocals and driving basslines, grounded by Josh’s razor-sharp melodic guitar riffs and Dale’s tight, hard-hitting drum work that keeps crowds locked in from the first beat.

THE PAYOFF — A RAW, CATHARTIC ROCK ANTHEM

Produced, recorded and mixed by James See at Airlock Studios, and mastered by Matthew Grey at Matthew Grey Mastering, The Payoff is a blistering punk-rock outburst born from Annie’s battle with the pressures and emotional load of modern life.

“After having my youngest son, I was burnt out, exhausted and full of frustration. In The Payoff I got it all out—the giving, the pressure, the exhaustion—and reignited that spark inside that frankly no longer gives a f**k. As the lyrics say, ‘I’ve got one life baby, and all the world’s a stage.’” — Annie

With unfiltered lyrics, femme-driven fire and relentless drums and guitars, the track hits like a hook-laden sonic grenade—one that lingers long after the final chorus.

👉 Stream The Payoff now:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3ghItM9BKmQpC8ZMHNSZ7J?si=397729f2a27a43b0

MUSIC VIDEO OUT NOW 🎥⚡

Hyena Smyle dropped the official music video on Sunday 14 December 2025, produced and filmed by Danny at 1050 Collective—known for working with heavy-scene bands Buried in the Sun and Vessel Born.

👉 Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/T-A3rkOqTNQ

A HUGE LAUNCH + A MASSIVE YEAR AHEAD

To celebrate the release, the band threw a huge single launch show at The Presynct on 13 December, joined by Dirty Hearts, Buried in the Sun, Sailing in Space and Pussy Jane. The night was a big success, with 50% of presales sold and 70% of venue capacity reached.

Hyena Smyle have already built serious momentum throughout 2025, performing across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast alongside Jollee, Viper Snatch and Ruination—and their win on the main stage at The Station for FrightFest’s Battle of the Bands cemented them as one of the region’s most exciting rising acts.

With a follow-up single and a South East Queensland tour set for late February, 2026 is shaping up to be their breakout year.

FOR FANS OF:

Veruca Salt, Hole, The Clouds, Transvision Vamp.

SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC ❤️🎶

Both the single and the video are out now. If you love discovering new Sunshine Coast talent, hit play, hit follow, share it with your mates, and help put Hyena Smyle on the national radar.

Hyena Smyle are just getting started – and they’re coming in loud.