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.
Red Cape Diver
Foxy Shazam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You might have just met your match
You can't control that thing
I would not take that chance
(Hey) I am the red cape diver
(You can talk that talk, can you walk that walk?)
I am the red cape diver
Ah, it fires torpedoes
Kiss your lolitas
Make sure she knows you might
Die, hug your bambinos
Have your last meal
Make sure they know you're scared
Ah, I'm so scared
I don't want to die
I don't want to die
Ah, it fires torpedoes
Kiss your lolitas
Make sure they know
Tell my mama that I love her
Tell my papa the same thing
And when I step up into the ring
Pray for me, I'm gonna need it
(Hey) I am the red cape diver
(You can talk that talk, can you walk that walk?)
I am the red cape diver
Ah, it fires torpedoes
Kiss your lolitas
Make sure she knows you might
Die, hug your bambinos
Have your last meal
Make sure they know you're scared
Ah, I don't want to die
Please don't let me die
Please don't, please don't let me die
Ah, it fires torpedoes
Kiss your lolitas
Make sure she knows you might (die)
Both of our eyes lock eye to eye
Battle to the death, which one will die?
I'm so scared, I don't want my mom to die
Or my dad or my dog or my best friend
What if my boo boo died, what would I do without them?
What would they do without me, what would I do without
Ah, it fires torpedoes, I'm hit, I'm down
Ah, it fires torpedoes
Kiss your lolitas
Make sure she knows you might
Die, die, die
In Foxy Shazam's song "Red Cape Diver," the lyrics describe a high-stakes situation where the singer is about to face their toughest and likely final opponent. The lyrics emphasize the danger and fear that the singer is feeling, through lines like "you might have just met your match" and "have your last meal, make sure they know you're scared." The repeated line of "I am the red cape diver" could be seen as either a declaration of bravery and confidence, or a self-reassurance that the singer is capable of handling the situation. The song includes a call to loved ones to tell them they are loved, which adds a sense of poignancy and finality to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Step up into the ring
Prepare yourself for the challenge ahead
You might have just met your match
The challenger is formidable and poses a real threat
You can't control that thing
The outcome of the challenge is uncertain and beyond your control
I would not take that chance
It's not worth risking your life or wellbeing
(Hey) I am the red cape diver
The singer is the one facing the challenge
(You can talk that talk, can you walk that walk?)
The singer is challenging the opponent's capabilities
Ah, it fires torpedoes
The battle has commenced, and the opposition is fierce
Kiss your lolitas
The singer is advising the opponent to bid farewell to their loved ones
Make sure she knows you might
The singer is emphasizing the danger of the challenge ahead
Die, hug your bambinos
The singer advises the opponent to say goodbye to their children
Have your last meal
The singer suggests the opponent have a final meal before the challenge
Make sure they know you're scared
The singer emphasizes the fear and uncertainty of the situation
Ah, I'm so scared
The singer expresses their own fear and vulnerability
I don't want to die
The singer fears for their own life
Tell my mama that I love her
The singer leaves a message for their mother
Tell my papa the same thing
The singer leaves a message for their father
Pray for me, I'm gonna need it
The singer admits to needing help
Both of our eyes lock eye to eye
The singer sets the stage for the confrontation between them and the opponent
Battle to the death, which one will die?
The outcome of the challenge is life or death
I don't want my mom to die
The singer fears for their mother's safety
Or my dad or my dog or my best friend
The singer fears for the safety of their loved ones
What if my boo boo died, what would I do without them?
The singer contemplates the potential loss of their partner
What would they do without me, what would I do without
The singer reflects on the impact of their own loss
Ah, it fires torpedoes, I'm hit, I'm down
The singer takes a hit and falls in battle
Die, die, die
The singer faces death
Contributed by Lauren S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.