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.
Story Told
Foxy Shazam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One for those who told me so they say
A poem pathetic
More like drunken cry
You still don′t get it
Fear that neither do I
Fire up you stupid cuckoo
You try to clear your head
Hope I don't end up like you did
I turn the shower all the way to cold
A poem pathetic
More like a fuckin joke
You still don′t get it
Feel that neither do I
Oh oh oh oh oh neither do I
No no no no no
I'd rather die
The crow raps at the window
Taste the tears that I cry
Neither do I
The song "Story Told" by Foxy Shazam tells the story of someone who is struggling to break free from the cloud of smoke in their life, both literally and figuratively. The lyrics suggest that the singer is feeling lost and unsure of how to move forward. They are being haunted by the decisions of those who came before them, and they are afraid of ending up like them. The line "fire up you stupid cuckoo" is a plea to the listener to wake up and pay attention to the reality of the situation.
The singer seeks clarity and tries to do so by turning the shower all the way to cold. In this moment, they are attempting to attain a brief moment of clarity, but even then, they feel that they don't fully understand what is happening to them. The repeated refrain of "neither do I" is a representation of the singer's inner turmoil and frustration with the lack of answers.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of desperation and vulnerability. The singer is struggling to find a sense of purpose and meaning, and they feel trapped by the decisions of the past. The lyrics are raw and honest, and the instrumentation adds to the emotional intensity of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Cheers to those who helped me
Expressing gratitude towards those who assisted in a meaningful way in the past.
One for those who told me so they say
Acknowledging the existence of naysayers and doubters who attempted to discourage, but were proven wrong.
A poem pathetic
A harsh self-critique for one's own creative expression.
More like drunken cry
Recognizing the raw emotion behind the aforementioned art, describing it as a vulnerable, intoxicated outpouring.
You still don′t get it
Addressing a specific individual, asserting their lack of comprehension regarding the art or the artist's perspective on life.
Fear that neither do I
Admitting to the artist's own uncertainty or confusion, highlighting the potential for all individuals to be lost or misguided.
Fire up you stupid cuckoo
Encouraging oneself or another to push forward with reckless abandon, unafraid of the consequences or of being seen as insane.
You try to clear your head
Revealing a conflicting desire to obtain clarity or peace of mind in order to create with intention.
You just fill it with smoke
Admitting self-sabotage, through indulging in harmful substances or distractions, which only make it more difficult to achieve the aforementioned clarity or peace of mind.
Hope I don't end up like you did
Reflecting on the circumstances of another individual who has met an unfavorable outcome, and expressing a desire to avoid a similar fate.
I turn the shower all the way to cold
An extreme method of punishing oneself physically or attempting to shock oneself out of mental stagnation or despair.
A poem pathetic
Repeating the self-criticism, acknowledging the feeling of inadequacy or unworthiness in one's expression.
More like a fuckin joke
Reframing the art as ironic or insincere, recognizing the potential for self-deprecation and humor within the creative process.
You still don′t get it
Repeating the accusation towards the individual who cannot grasp the meaning behind the art.
Feel that neither do I
Reiterating the personal confusion and lack of clarity, expressing a need for validation or resolution.
Oh oh oh oh oh neither do I
Again expressing the lack of understanding or comprehension, potentially emphasizing the theme of communal confusion or shared existential anxiety.
No no no no no
A stark expression of denial or rejection, potentially in response to a specific person or idea.
I'd rather die
A hyperbolic expression of despair or hopelessness, potentially regarding the circumstances of the artist's life or environment.
The crow raps at the window
An ominous image, potentially symbolizing death or foreboding doom.
Taste the tears that I cry
A visceral expression of grief or pain, acknowledging the physical sensations that accompany strong emotions.
Neither do I
Repeating the previous phrase, potentially as a refrain or conclusion to the song.
Writer(s): Mcveigh Aaron Bryce, Nally Eric Sean, Nauth Alex Loren, Schwartz Christopher Baker, Turner Loren Daniel, White Schuyler Vaughn
Contributed by Addison H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mike Z
This whole album is great. So subtle but raw.
fat_ferret
Such a beautiful song. Undeniably my favorite off the album, however the entire thing is a MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!
Doug Prishpreed
My favorite song on the album! I love the lyrics so much :) i want to a cover of this next time i play at school. keep it up guys!
Avery Thomass
This song is so beautiful! My perfect song!
Kevin Harry
This is a great song love the sound. Would love to see you guys come to Charlotte and rock or house. Thanks Mack for introducing us to Foxxy. All your albums are great. In my car cd player Foxxy,QOTSA, Modest Mouse, AWOLNATION and MACK.
Russell Lambert
Really ties the whole album together.
Pat Harris
just listened to the whole album, It is a good album, not as fast as there other 4 albums
DOC FRANSWA
balls..... balls everywhere
Phillip Shepherd
Eric, dude, why... you have so much more talent then this man, youve proven that. And your live shows are awesome. Now this... after two albums that showed so much growth and maturity. I will still be around till the next album... but i hope its not something like this. Theres a reason why this was released for free. It doesnt show the powerful gut wrench vocals combined with every amazing piano riff and guitar lick, or bass and drum combo.
Rob Cooper
Not trying to be a dick. That said. This album shows as much or more talent than anything Foxy has done. It's a concept album recorded with Steve Albini. This is raw as fuck. This is what music sounds like, without huge production. That said it's as powerful or more powerful than anything they have done.