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.
Gonzo
Foxy Shazam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get your cop cars a check-up before the bad guy gets away
A hero is a thing the Foo Fighters sing about
Me, I'm just a man
I've gone gonzo
I've gone gonzo
I'm going gonzo
Caterpillar into butterfly
A blooming canvas covered brilliant color caught the eye
Poisoned like a black swan actress
A most fantastic death wish
I've gone gonzo whoa oh
I've gone gonzo
I'm going gonzo whoa whoa [x2]
I think I'll go cannonball into the waterbed
I've gone gonzo whoa oh
I've gone gonzo
I'm going gonzo whoa whoa
The first verse of the Foxy Shazam's song Gonzo touches on the idea of perception and identity. The line "A liar is a man with a long nose" is a reference to the classic children's tale Pinocchio, suggesting that dishonesty is physical evidenced by a long nose, whereas truthfulness can be dangerous. The next line "Get your cop cars a check-up before the bad guy gets away" feels like a warning, a reminder that justice needs to be served correctly in order for justice to truly be served. The mention of the Foo Fighters as the singer of a hero suggests that the perspective is one of the singer, who sees the world more cynically. The singer doesn't seem to think of themselves as a hero, but also doesn't seem too concerned about it - "Me, I'm just a man."
The second verse is less clear, as some of the lyrics like "Caterpillar into butterfly" and "blooming canvas covered in brilliant color caught the eye" could be interpreted in different ways. However, the mention of "Poisoned like a black swan actress" could suggest a comment on the toxicity and drama that can come with fame, as the black swan is often used as a symbol of ambition gone too far. The "most fantastic death wish" could suggest that the singer is disillusioned with the fame or is trying to use the Black Swan as an symbol for their own desire for infamy. The chorus is the crux of the song - "I've gone gonzo" is a reference to the term used by journalist Hunter S. Thompson to describe his strange, anarchic style of journalism where he inserted himself into the narrative. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the singer's decision to be free, unafraid to tackle life head-on even if it leads to chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
A liar is a man with a long nose
Someone who is dishonest can be identified by their exaggerated features.
Get your cop cars a check-up before the bad guy gets away
Make sure to be prepared and organized before an important event.
A hero is a thing the Foo Fighters sing about
The concept of a hero is often romanticized and idolized in popular culture.
Me, I'm just a man
I am not exceptional, but simply human.
I've gone gonzo
I have entered a state of wild, crazy abandon.
Caterpillar into butterfly
A transformation from something plain and unremarkable to something beautiful and striking.
A blooming canvas covered brilliant color caught the eye
A work of art that is vibrant, exciting, and captivating to behold.
Poisoned like a black swan actress
Someone who has been corrupted or poisoned by success and fame.
A most fantastic death wish
A desire to live life to the fullest and take risks, even if they may be deadly.
I think I'll go cannonball into the waterbed
I will take a bold, impulsive action that may be reckless or dangerous.
I've gone gonzo whoa oh
I am beyond reason, having fully embraced an ecstatic state of being.
I'm going gonzo whoa whoa
I am continuing to push the limits and take wild chances in my life.
Contributed by Kylie J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
alphadogstudio
I hear these guys have called it quits. I really thought they would eventually rule the airwaves. A great band that never got it's due
Mini Dwarf
Man this comment thread will be the keeper of time to what happens with Foxy
Poly Preferably
They just got back together actually :)
OH_I _Will
They were going to do a reunion gig but it had to be rescheduled due to current health crisis
Chris Rohlman
Yeah so about that...2020 here and, well...
ben nu
i wish foxy shazam was here. right here, right now.
Sons & Sons
Uau!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Banda foda demais,cadê os holofotes para uma das melhores bandas do mundo?Eu vejo influências de Queen,The Darkness e uma pitada de Funk em algumas músicas!!!!
The Bizness
THE GREATEST LIVE BAND EVERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! OMG! Such ENERGY!! Freaking LOVE THESE BOYS!
fishtankfreak
The Bizness yes yes yes
ArinInQuotes
Alex Nauth's trumpet playing is my religion.