The band name originated from a slang phrase used by students at Eric Sean Nally's high school where Foxy Shazam meant "cool shoes". On February 7, 2010, their single Unstoppable was featured in Super Bowl XLIV.
In 2008, the band were named one of the 100 bands you need to know by Alternative Press. They toured with bands such as The Strokes, Bad Rabbits, and The Young Veins. In 2010, the band were placed on Spin's list of ten bands you need to know. Since then, they've appeared on TV programs such as the Daily Haibt. Also in 2010, vocalist Eric Nally helped write songs for Meat Loaf's album, Hang Cool Teddy Bear.
Foxy Shazam have previously toured with Hole and played this year's Lollapalooza festival. They've been appearing in more magazines supporting their latest release like Alternative Press and Spin. They played a 3 song set for The Daily Habit Show on Fuel.tv. They recently performed a 5 song set for shockhound.com. They also recently performed 3 songs acoustic for Spin Magazine, one of which was a brand new song entitled "I'm in love with a boy." The band performed a full set and interview on Chicago's JBTV in July 2010. The band have also performed a live an exclusive version of "oh Lord" for music discovery app and namesake Shazam.
Foxy Shazam's first album, The Flamingo Trigger is seen as a post-hardcore album, with some slight classical influences. The band more resembled peers such as Chiodos and The Fall of Troy. With their second release, Introducing, the band incorporated more genres into their sound, and even making ballads, though still with some post-hardcore influence. Their latest release, Foxy Shazam, has influences ranging from Gospel, Soul, and Glam Metal. The band continues to surprise fans by keeping themselves original.
A quote from lead singer, Eric Sean Nally: "When I listen to a Foxy Shazam record I think of Evel Knievel, Bruce Springsteen, my childhood, Van Morrison, my old friends from high school I don't talk to anymore, Elton John, the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond, Iggy Pop and my first kiss. One of my favorite things to do when listening to my music is to close my eyes and picture a crowd of six million people all chanting "Foxy! Foxy! Foxy!" The lights go out and my band walks on stage. It gives me goose bumps. It all makes sense to me. When you listen to our record, think of your favorite things and it'll make sense to you as well. Foxy Shazam is not concerned with what category it falls into. We want to stand for our generation. We want to be the biggest band in the world. We want to be the Michael Jordan of Rock N' Roll."
Many media outlets compare the band to Queen and Meat Loaf because of their use of theatrics and over-the-tops lyrics. The band themselves have noted the similarities but believe that they are just all influenced by the same things. It's not always music that influences the band, it could even be a smell that triggers a memory.
Eric Sean Nally has said an album that influenced him was Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill. The magazine Alternative Press has compared the band to bands like Queen, My Chemical Romance, and The Darkness while also believing that the band has a very unique sound that should best be seen live.
Welcome To The Church Of Rock And Roll
Foxy Shazam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're waiting on your cue.
There's nothing new, to listen to, we heard it through and through.
We know you're playing the best you can,
The truth is we don't give a damn.
He's God.
I'm God.
Sing it!
Welcome to the church of rock and roll [x6]
Your music sucks, including us.
It's time we clear our name.
If one of you, can feel it too,
We urge you too to do the same.
You're all suckers, a flock of sheep,
I'll be your shepherd, follow me.
He's God.
I'm God.
Yeah!
Welcome to the church of rock and roll [x6]
The lyrics to Foxy Shazam's song Welcome To The Church Of Rock And Roll are a nod to the power and influence of music, specifically rock and roll. The singer is addressing his audience, referring to them as "brother man," and asking them what the plan is. He highlights that they have listened to so much music that there is nothing new left to hear. The singer acknowledges that the musician is doing his best but ultimately, the audience does not care as they are there for the experience of rock and roll.
Line by Line Meaning
So what's the plan, brother man?
What are you planning to do?
We're waiting on your cue.
We're ready to follow your lead.
There's nothing new, to listen to, we heard it through and through.
We're bored of the same old music and want something fresh.
We know you're playing the best you can,
We understand that you're doing your best.
The truth is we don't give a damn.
But we don't really care.
He's God.
The lead singer is like a god to us.
I'm God.
The lead singer considers himself a deity.
Sing it!
Let's all sing together.
Your music sucks, including us.
We think all music, including our own, is bad.
It's time we clear our name.
We want to redeem ourselves.
If one of you, can feel it too,
If someone else agrees with us,
We urge you too to do the same.
We encourage them to join us in wanting a change in the music industry.
You're all suckers, a flock of sheep,
We think everyone is blindly following mainstream music trends like sheep.
I'll be your shepherd, follow me.
But we want to be the ones to guide people towards better music.
Yeah!
Let's do this!
Welcome to the church of rock and roll [x6]
We're creating a new movement for better rock and roll music.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aaron Mcveigh, Alex Loren Nauth, Daisy Caplan, Eric Sean Nally, Justin David Hawkins, Loren Daniel Turner, Schuyler Vaughn White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind