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.
Shadow of a Shoulder Parrot
Foxy Shazam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
lying at the gates.
vulters in the sky.
mark the territories.
bombs away
bombs away
bombs away.
he can't tell what they've done.
the storm still brings the sun.
somewhere between 9 and 10 pm.
bombs away
bombs away
bombs away
The song "Shadow of a Shoulder Parrot" by Foxy Shazam is a dark and enigmatic piece that addresses the themes of war, destruction, and childhood innocence. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the aftermath of a bombing campaign where vultures circle above the ruins of a city, marking their claim on the territory. The imagery is bleak and foreboding, as the shadow of a shoulder parrot adds a surreal and menacing layer to the picture.
As the song progresses, the focus shifts to a child who is caught in the middle of the conflict. The lyrics suggest that he has witnessed some horror of war, but is too naive to fully comprehend what is going on around him. The storm may have passed and the sun may be shining, but the scars of destruction still linger. The repeated refrain of "bombs away" reinforces the idea that this is a never-ending cycle of violence that will only end when all is lost.
Line by Line Meaning
In the shadow of a shoulder parrot.
Located in the presence of an insignificant and unimportant bird perched on a human shoulder.
lying at the gates.
Remaining motionless at a specified location, ready to engage in action.
vulters in the sky.
Large scavenger birds soaring above, searching for prey and indicating danger.
mark the territories.
Identifying and establishing ownership over designated areas.
bombs away
Initiating an attack by dropping explosives from the air.
In the center of a childs vision.
Directly in a young person's line of sight, occupying their full attention.
he can't tell what they've done.
The child is unable to discern or comprehend the actions of those around them.
the storm still brings the sun.
Although facing turbulent and difficult times, there is always the potential for positive outcomes.
somewhere between 9 and 10 pm.
An unspecified time in the evening, adding to the ambiguity and confusion of the situation.
bombs away
A repeated call to initiate an attack by dropping explosives from the air.
Contributed by Jeremiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wiegraf
This song is so strange and unnerving. I used to fall asleep to it a lot back in the day. Listening to it over and over in the dark just staring at the ceiling. I love it.
David Whitaker
Absolutley love this track. Pretty insane and utterly chaotic but also beautiful.
YugmasterJeffreson
Don't know why, but this is one of my favorite songs by Foxy.
My Music Channel
O.O talk about a leap from this to foxy to church of rock n roll to macklemore colabs, Eric nally is musical genre diversity epitomized.
PeppermintEgo
I love this song but it gives me anxiety just listening to it.
Andrew L
It's a sort of strange feeling to end on, but I think it sounds strangely badass, and dude weasels ripped your flesh.
Andrew L
Sounds like it would be a demo. Around 1:50 does he repeat 'bombs away'?
ecollins320
Andrew L Yeah
Mduenisch
Don't like it. Not saying it's awful