Foxy Shazam
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2004 in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Eric Nally (lead singer), Sky White (keyboardist), Alex Nauth (trumpeter and backing vocalist), Misster Universe (bassist), Devin Williams (guitarist), Teddy Aitkins (drummer) |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Foxy Shazam is a rock ensemble originating from Cincinnati, Ohio, established in 2004. As of 2025, the group consists of lead singer Eric Nally, keyboardist Sky White, trumpeter and backing vocalist Alex Nauth, bassist Misster Universe, guitarist Devin Williams, and drummer Teddy Aitkins. Their initial album, The Flamingo Trigger, was independently launched in 2005. Subsequently, they signed with Ferret Music and released their sophomore album Introducing Foxy Shazam in 2008. In 2009, collaborating with producer John Feldmann, they recorded their first major-label album under Sire Records, issuing the self-titled Foxy Shazam in 2010. Their fourth studio project, The Church of Rock and Roll, debuted in January 2012, followed by Gonzo on April 2, 2014.
The band entered a hiatus in October 2014 but reunited for a sold-out performance at Cincinnati's Andrew J. Brady Music Center on February 12, 2022—a date postponed from April 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis. Since regrouping in 2020, Foxy Shazam has independently released four albums—Burn, The Heart Behead You, Dark Blue Night, and Animality Opera—through their eeeoooah label. Their tenth album, Box of Magic, was announced in August 2025 along with its lead track "Magic," set for release on October 6, 2025.
1997–2007: Early Years and Formation
In 1997, Eric Nally formed the nu-metal band Train of Thought. After Loren Turner joined in 2003, the band independently issued a two-track EP. The following year, after lineup changes and a stylistic transformation, they rebranded as "Foxy Shazam!". On June 15, 2005, they unveiled their debut album The Flamingo Trigger and embarked on a nationwide tour spanning from 2005 through 2007.
2008–2009: Ferret Music Signing and Introducing
Following their initial tour cycle, Foxy Shazam secured a contract with Ferret Music. Their second album, Introducing, was released on January 22, 2008, featuring the lead single "A Dangerous Man." Recognized by Alternative Press as one of the "100 Bands You Need to Know," they toured alongside prominent acts such as The Darkness, The Strokes, Hole, and Panic! at the Disco to promote this release.
2010: Sire Records Deal and Self-Titled Album
In 2010, Foxy Shazam earned a spot on Spin's "Ten Bands You Need To Know" list. Frontman Eric Sean Nally contributed songwriting to Meat Loaf's album Hang Cool, Teddy Bear. The band signed with Sire Records. Their track "Unstoppable" was featured during the first half highlights of Super Bowl XLIV telecast and appeared in the video game NHL 11, Cartoon Network's series Tower Prep, a trailer for the film Your Highness, and advertisements for MLB Network. On April 13, 2010, they released their third studio album titled Foxy Shazam. The band performed at Lollapalooza and received media attention from publications such as Alternative Press and Spin. They also appeared live on Fuel.tv's program The Daily Habit, performed sessions for shockhound.com, and recorded an acoustic set for Spin Magazine. In July of that year, they featured on Chicago’s JBTV, debuting an exclusive rendition of "Oh, Lord" through the music discovery platform Shazam. Foxy Shazam was later named the featured band for the 2011 Warped Tour.
2011–2013: IRS Records Signing and The Church of Rock and Roll
On December 5, 2011, Foxy Shazam announced their fourth studio album titled The Church of Rock and Roll, revealing its tracklist, cover art, and a release date slated for January 2012. Released on January 24, 2012, this album included three singles: "I Like It", "Holy Touch", and "Welcome to the Church of Rock and Roll". After touring as openers for The Darkness, Foxy Shazam embarked on their own headline tour starting April 2012. They also performed at Cincinnati’s Bunbury Music Festival in July and supported guitarist Slash during his North American tour from September through October.
2014: Concept Album Gonzo and Hiatus
On March 12, 2014, Foxy Shazam revealed completion of their latest LP—a concept album named Gonzo—which was released freely online via Bandcamp on April 2. This self-issued record marked their first since the independent release of The Flamingo Trigger in 2005 and was recorded live in one room with producer Steve Albini. A music video accompanied the single "Tragic Thrill".
On October 27, 2014, prior to the second U.S. leg of their Gonzo tour, Foxy Shazam announced an indefinite break but expressed intentions to reunite eventually.
During this hiatus period, frontman Eric Nally gained prominence featuring on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' hit single "Downtown" in 2015. Other members pursued regional projects: trumpeter Alex Nauth formed The Skulx alongside musicians from Cincinnati bands The Killtones and Cadaver Dogs; this group earned a Cincinnati Entertainment Award nomination for New Artist of the Year late that year. Bassist Daisy Caplan established Cincinnati-based Babe Rage in late 2014 before its dissolution in 2015; she later joined experimental rock duo Lung as drummer, receiving two Cincinnati Entertainment Award nominations in 2017. Guitarist Loren Turner briefly collaborated with Trxlleydxdgers in 2016. Keyboardist Sky White performs with the J Dorsey Band and founded Wendigo Tea Company in 2015.
2020: Reunion Announced and Release of Burn
On February 7, 2020, Foxy Shazam teased their comeback via Instagram and Twitter featuring lead vocalist Eric Sean Nally. That year they released three singles: "Burn", "Dreamer", and "The Rose". The official video for "Dreamer" premiered on August 12, introducing new drummer Teddy Aitkins along with masked bassist known as "Trigger Warning". Shortly afterward guitarist Loren Turner exited the group. In October they announced their sixth studio record titled Burn, which was released on December 11, 2020. Recording sessions were divided among pairs working at different studios: pianist Sky White with drummer Teddy Aitkins at Seattle’s London Bridge studio; guitarist Loren Turner alongside bassist "Trigger Warning" at Dayton’s Mundon Canyon Studios; while vocalist Eric Nally teamed with horn player Alex Nauth at Mundon Canyon Studios as well. The album was distributed on vinyl and CD under their independent label eeeoooah releases.
2022: Seventh Album The Heart Behead You and Hidden Treasures Tour
On October 5, 2021, Foxy Shazam announced their seventh studio effort titled The Heart Behead You, sharing a teaser featuring its opening track "I'm in Love". Released on February 14, 2022, this marked the first album to include new guitarist Devin Williams.
They revealed plans for the Hidden Treasures Tour’s initial leg on October 27, starting with a rescheduled reunion concert at Cincinnati’s Andrew J. Brady Music Center on February 12 followed by seven shows across the northeastern United States. Blues/soul musician Robert Finley supported all dates during this segment.
On January 18, they unveiled the official video for "Dancing with My Demons," the album’s second single.
An additional nine Hidden Treasures Tour dates were added on March 30 with Jigsaw Youth as opening act.
On June 30, Foxy Shazam digitally reissued a remastered version of their debut album The Flamingo Trigger accompanied by presales for vinyl and CD—the first official physical release since its original launch in 2005. Limited edition vinyl bundles included teal and gold variants paired with exclusive merchandise; both editions sold out rapidly. The vinyl saw its official release in March of the following year.
Final Hidden Treasures Tour dates were announced July 28 featuring openers Thumpasaurus, Shamon Cassette, and Lung (which includes former bassist Daisy Caplan). This leg included an appearance at Chicago’s Riot Fest.
2023: Release of Dark Blue Night and Touring with Head Automatica
On March 17, Foxy Shazam quietly released an eighteen-track album entitled Dark Blue Night, available for preorder on vinyl—including an “Ice Disk Blue” pressing—and CD without prior promotion. Bundles combining vinyl records with exclusive apparel were also offered.
In July Head Automatica announced their first tour since 2012 with Foxy Shazam serving as support throughout eighteen U.S. dates from Seattle to New York between September and early October. Foxy Shazam did not perform at the Cincinnati stop but scheduled several headlining shows between tour engagements.
For New Year's Eve 2023 they played at Cincinnati's Andrew J. Brady Music Center supported by Tweens; this event featured a midnight countdown along with live debuts from songs off Dark Blue Night.
In July of the following year they performed three concerts across Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin surrounding their participation at Iowa's annual 80/35 Music Festival.
2025: Ninth Album Animality Opera, Rockin' Rolla Coast Tour & Tenth Album Announcement
January saw Foxy Shazam releasing the single "Rhumbatorium" alongside announcing their ninth full-length record titled Animality Opera. The follow-up single "Pink Sky" arrived February13; the album officially dropped March20. Promotion involved an interactive three-dimensional website developed with Metimmerse that linked fans to presales for physical formats as well as concert tickets. The record includes spoken word contributions by artist Shamon Cassette.
In springtime they launched the Rockin' Rolla Coast Tour—a five-week headlining U.S. trek featuring openers The Number Twelve Looks Like You and Lobby Boxer—with many shows incorporating Coney Island sideshow performers. This tour received praise for its theatrical presentation and high-energy performances.
On August8 they released “Magic,” lead single from their tenth studio album titled Box of Magic, recorded at EastWest Studios in Hollywood featuring actor-musician Corey Feldman. Foxy Shazam is slated to headline shows throughout September before supporting pop rock band Waterparks during their December dates.
Musical Style and Influences
Media sources frequently draw parallels between Foxy Shazam’s theatrical approach and artists like Queen or Meat Loaf, noting their dramatic lyrical content. Andrew Winney commented that "[If] Noel Fielding and Freddie Mercury had a love child it would be [Foxy Shazam vocalist] Eric Nally." Publications such as Alternative Press have compared them to Queen along with bands like My Chemical Romance and The Darkness, while emphasizing that experiencing them live best captures their distinctive sound.
Collaboration with James Gunn
Director James Gunn has prominently incorporated Foxy Shazam’s music into his projects within the DC Universe, describing them as "objectively the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world."
Their song “Welcome to the Church of Rock and Roll” from the album The Church of Rock and Roll featured in both the premiere episode and second trailer of Gunn’s HBO Max series Peacemaker. In July2025 during Peacefest at San Diego Comic-Con Gunn announced that “Oh Lord” from their self-titled album would serve as season two’s opening theme due to its thematic fit; additionally Foxy Shazam appeared performing “Oh Lord” in that season finale.
Alongside vocalist Lou Lou Safran, Foxy Shazam recorded “The Mighty Crabjoys Theme” for Gunn’s upcoming film ‘’Superman.’’ Written by Gunn together with Eric Nally and Devin Williams—the band is not depicted within fictional Mighty Crabjoys posters although Nally makes an unrelated cameo appearance within the movie.
Name Origin
Originally it was claimed that “Foxy Shazam” derived from slang used at Eric Nally’s high school where it meant ‘cool shoes.’ However in a later interview conducted in2012 Nally admitted this backstory was fabricated yet had persisted for five years; this account was later corroborated by members Alex Nauth and Aaron McVeigh.
Members
Current
- Eric Nally – lead vocals (2004–present)
- Schuyler “Sky” White – keyboards (2004–2005;2006–present)
- Alex Nauth – horns/backing vocals (2008–present)
- Teddy Aitkins – drums (2007;2020–present)
- Misster Universe (previously known as “Trigger Warning,” “The Persistent Savage,” “Existential Youth”) – bass guitar (tour fill-in2006;2020–present)
- Devin Williams – guitar (2020–present)
Former
- Loren Turner – guitar
- Aaron McVeigh – drums
- Daisy Caplan – bass guitar
- Joseph Halberstadt – drums
- Elijah Rust – drums
- Kevin Hogle – drums
- John Sims – drums
- Skylyn Ohlenkamp – bass guitar
- Baron Walker – keyboards/bass
- Jamison Pack – drums
- Eli White – bass guitar
- Ryan Hogle – guitar
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Alt. |
US Rock | ||||
| The Flamingo Trigger |
|
— | — | — | ||
| Introducing Foxy Shazam |
|
— | — | — | ||
| Foxy Shazam |
|
151 | — | 50 | ||
| The Church of Rock and Roll |
|
115 | 24 | 35 | ||
| Gonzo |
|
— | — | — | ||
| Burn |
|
— | — | — | ||
| The Heart Behead You |
|
— | — | — | ||
| Dark Blue Night |
|
— | — | — | ||
| Animality Opera |
|
— | — | — | ||
| Box of Magic |
|
— | — | — | ||
| "—" indicates the album did not chart or was not released in the specified market. | ||||||
Singles
| Single Title | Year Released | Highest Chart Positions Achieved in US Markets | Corresponding Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Sales Chart |
US Active Rock Chart |
US Alternative Chart |
US Mainstream Rock Chart |
US Rock Chart | |||
| "The French Passion of Animality Opera" | 2005 | — | — | — | — | — | The Flamingo Trigger |
| "A Dangerous Man" | 2008 | — | — | — | — | — | Introducing Foxy Shazam |
| "Wanna-Be Angel" | 2009 | 6 | — | — | — | — | Foxy Shazam |
| "Unstoppable" | 2010 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "Oh Lord" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "I Like It" | 2011 | — | 5 | 20 | 5 | 8 | The Church of Rock and Roll |
| "Holy Touch" | 2012 | — | 34 | — | 39 | — | |
| "Welcome to the Church of Rock and Roll" | — | 40 | — | — | — | ||
| "Burn" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | Burn |
| "Dreamer" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "The Rose" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Not Dark Yet" | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single |
| "I'm In Love" | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | The Heart Behead You |
| "Dancing With My Demons" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Rhumbatorium" | 2025 | "— | — | — | — | — | Animality Opera |
| "Pink Sky" | "— | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Magic" | "— | — | — | — | — | Box of Magic | |
| "You Know My Name" | "— | — | — | — | — | ||
Music videos
| Title | Year | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "The French Passion of Animality Opera" | 2005 | Donnie Moore |
| "A Dangerous Man" | 2008 | Jeremy E. Jackson |
| "Unstoppable" | 2010 | |
| "Oh Lord" | ||
| "I Like It" | 2012 | Bill Fishman |
| "Holy Touch" | Shane Valdes | |
| "Welcome to the Church of Rock and Roll" | Eric Nally | |
| "Tragic Thrill" | 2014 | Ryan Mackfall |
| "Dreamer" | 2020 | Scott Fredette and Eric Nally |
| "I'm In Love" | 2022 | Scott Fredette |
| "Dancing With My Demons" | Paul Coors and Eric Nally | |
| "Man in Bloom" | 2023 | Nikita Gross |
| "I Can Change for You" | 2024 | Nic Cox and Emily Denney |
| "You Know My Name" | 2025 | Eric Nally; co-directed by Jaakko Manninen and Jesse Korman |
| "Too Fast To Let Go" | Eric Nally |
Other appearances
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Walking in the Air" | 2009 | Gift Wrapped – 20 Songs That Keep on Giving! |
| "Heaven on Their Minds" | 2010 | Gift Wrapped Vol. II |
| "Drain You" | 2011 | Newermind: A Tribute to Nirvana |