Nickel Eye is the solo project of The Strokes' bassist Nikolai Fraiture. Enlisting the help of UK band South, Nickel Eye was recorded in London. Musically influenced by some of Nikolai's favorite artists, such as Neil Young, Frank Black, Leonard Cohen and The Kinks. The lyrics and theme for The Time of The Assassins found their impetus during a road trip across the United States of America when Nikolai was nineteen.