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.
The Streets
Foxy Shazam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fall back down the great below
And it's been a while since I have prayed
But tonight I'm on my knees
I'm asking why, why, why me?
The streets is where I's born
And the streets is where I'll die
Until then the streets is where I'll be
So keep pouring the drinks till I forget my name
I love my life but it gets hard
As I'm sure it does for us all from time to time
So keep living it through, I'll keep living it too
I hang my head, hang it low
And I pray that it gets a little better down the line
Why? Why me?
The streets is where I's born
And the streets is where I'll die
Until then the streets is where I'll be
Oh sweet mother of two you work hard, so hard to keep your heads above the water
And although I stand on the shore with a line, I can't seem to untangle it
From the selfish dreams of my own I wish I had just a little more money
To help you out in the times when it's hard, so hard, so hard
The streets is where I's born
And the streets is where I'll die
Until then the streets is where I'll be
The lyrics of Foxy Shazam's song "The Streets" are filled with emotions and a deep sense of self-reflection. The song opens with the singer confessing that they have been trying hard but have still fallen back to where they started. They talk about praying after a long time, and how they are asking themselves "why me?" The line can be interpreted as a cry for help or an expression of frustration about the difficult position they find themselves in life.
The singer goes on to say that they were born on the streets and will likely die there as well. The lines paint a picture of a tough life, with the singer seeking solace in alcohol to escape their problems. They acknowledge that life can be difficult for everyone at times, and even though they love their life, it's not always easy. Despite the challenges, they plan to continue living and facing the issues head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I tried so hard but still I fall
I make great efforts but still end up failing
Fall back down the great below
I fall deep into depression and despair
And it's been a while since I have prayed
I haven't prayed for some time now
But tonight I'm on my knees
But tonight I'm praying with all my heart and soul
I'm asking why, why, why me?
I'm questioning why life is so unfair to me
The streets is where I's born
I was born and raised in the streets
And the streets is where I'll die
And the streets are where I'll meet my end
Until then the streets is where I'll be
Until then, the streets are where I'll continue to exist
So keep pouring the drinks till I forget my name
Keep pouring me drinks until I'm intoxicated enough to forget the pain
I love my life but it gets hard
I enjoy my life, but it tends to be difficult
As I'm sure it does for us all from time to time
Just like everyone else, I have my challenging moments
So keep living it through, I'll keep living it too
I'll keep going and living life the best I can
I hang my head, hang it low
I feel ashamed and defeated
And I pray that it gets a little better down the line
I hope life will improve in the future
Oh sweet mother of two you work hard, so hard to keep your heads above the water
Addressing a hard-working mother of two, trying to survive despite the odds
And although I stand on the shore with a line, I can't seem to untangle it
I'm willing to help, but I'm struggling to find a solution to the problem
From the selfish dreams of my own I wish I had just a little more money
Despite my own selfish desires, I wish I had more money to help others
To help you out in the times when it's hard, so hard, so hard
I want to help you in your difficult moments
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: AARON MCVEIGH, ALEX NAUTH, DAISY CAPLAN, ERIC NALLY, JUSTIN HAWKINS, LOREN TURNER, SCHUYLER WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jakerzalamode
Great Song. Furthermore, I love the trumpet and bass through this entire album. Foxy Shazam are great musicians and I don't care if they do a disco album next...They put out good work so it will be worth listening to.
TheToyBoxCharades
Are there really no comments on this video? I love this song! There should be a LOT more recognition here! Thank you so much for uploading this!~
Sieb Kelder Art
How is this not on Spotify? I can see the album used to be there but the songs aren't on it! Never seen this before, it's really weird.
Thelegendofamind
the first time I ever heard "welcome to the church of rock n roll" I was tripping on acid with some friends in the middle of the woods. Best time of my life haha
OH_I _Will
It’s a shame you had to go that route to enjoy good music from this band. My guess, you just thought it would be cool to state what you and your car club buddies were doing, and not a guy doing it...
Anthony Montejano
Haha similar story... good rimes.. PARTY IN WAYNE!
Anthony Montejano
Ryan Marchesano
Cheers to that brutha!
Oscar Sanchez
Unrecognized greatness!
Christian Holt
Oh dear lord of rock and roll, so good.
John
Fucking amazing, wish they were still a thing