Catch Foxy Shazam with The Number Twelve Looks Like You & Lobby Boxer at The ’58 at Eastside Bowl Tonight, May 24

Formed more than two decades ago in Cincinnati, Ohio, alt and glam rockers Foxy Shazam have long been one of the most interesting and boundary-pushing bands in rock. Initially born out of the hardcore and metal scene, the group’s debut album, 2005’s The Flamingo Trigger, was also their heaviest, becoming something of a cult classic in the decades since, and receiving a remaster and and re-release a few years ago. Touring relentlessly in those early years (a time when I got to know them, as a teen booking punk shows in small town Virginia), Foxy would sign to Ferret Music and incorporate more experimental, genre-blurring influences and slick production on 2008’s Introducing Foxy Shazam, attracting an enthusiastic following for their unpredictable and theatrical live show. 2010 major label debut Foxy Shazam would prove to be the group’s mainstream breakout, and saw a pivot to the more glam, operatic, and retro rock influences they’ve become associated with, a style they leaned into more heavily with 2012 followup The Church of Rock and Roll. Returning to independence with 2014’s Gonzo– their last record before an extended hiatus- the band underwent something of a deconstruction, recording live with Steve Albini, and returning to a more stripped-down alt rock sound.

Disbanding in 2014, Foxy’s core members went on to many other impressive endeavors- singer Eric Nally appeared on a popular Macklemore track and put out a solo record, the rest of the band formed new projects spanning a whole host of genres- but, by 2020, had begun teasing Foxy Shazam’s return. A planned comeback show that year had to be pushed to early 2021 due to Covid (shortly after their first album in six years, Burn), and when the rockers returned, with was with a mix of new and old faces, with longtime members Nally, keyboard player Sky White, and horn player and vocalist Alex Nauth now joined by drummer Teddy Aitkins and bassist Trevor Erb (who both had brief stints in the band in the early days), as well as guitarist Devin Williams. The reunion have proven to be permanent, with Foxy becoming prolific in the studio once more, following Burn with 2022’s The Heart Behead You, 2023’s Dark Blue Night, and brand new album Animalty Opera all released independently through their own Eee Ooo Ah label. Stylistically, the new era of Foxy has channeled the soulful, experimental alt rock of the best of their early work, probably more akin to Introducing and Foxy Shazam thank anything before or after, and Animality Opera continues that trend- it’s theatrical, bold, and surprising, leaning into Foxy’s best impulses, and sure to land for long-time fans and newcomers alike.

To truly appreciate Foxy Shazam, you absolutely have to see them live, and you can do just that when the rockers return to Music City tonight, May 24 at The ’58 at Eastside Bowl! Joining Foxy are long-running New Jersey mathcore outfit The Number Twelve Looks Like You and St. Louis indie and post-hardcore group Lobby Boxer, as well as the Hot Fix Sideshow, described as a “Coney Island based traveling circus sideshow troupe.” Tickets are still available right here while they last!

Foxy Shazam, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, and Lobby Boxer will perform tonight, May 24 at The ’58 at Eastside Bowl. The show is 18+, begins at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), and tickets are available for $43.52.