About the Band | Foust | Nashville Rock Band

Real, guitar driven, and soul-laced rock n roll still exists.

Real, guitar-driven, soul-laced rock and roll still exists. Not in the intentionally underperformed tones of trendy shoegaze or the overproduced, predictable sound of modern hard rock, but in a space where heavy guitars, industrial influences, raw vocals, and undeniable hooks come together. That’s where Nashville-based FOUST resides.

Formed in 2019 from the ashes of southern rock band Blackwater James, FOUST is a hard rock project built around the songwriting, vocals, and guitar work of Christopher Foust. Drawing comparisons to Velvet Revolver, Spacehog, Foo Fighters, The Cult, Filter, and Nine Inch Nails, the project blends the attitude of classic hard rock with darker electronic textures and modern production. Both on record and onstage, FOUST is high energy, unpredictable, unapologetic, and occasionally a little ridiculous. Everything a rock band should be. The band takes the music seriously, but never takes itself too seriously.

Taking his surname as the project’s identity, Christopher Foust recruited longtime collaborator and drummer Todd Schlosser (Blackwater James, Majestic Swayzee, ATG) and bassist and producer Chris Utley to establish the original foundation of FOUST. In the winter of 2019, early demo recordings began circulating online, generating interest in the group’s sound. The recordings were refined and officially introduced in 2020 with the single “The Fountain,” followed by the debut EP, REVIVAL, in June of that year. The EP also featured “Please,” establishing the project’s guitar-driven identity and setting the stage for future releases.

In December 2021, FOUST followed with the five-track EP IT’S A VIBE, introducing a more polished and expansive sound. Written and recorded during the summer of 2021, the project pulled influences from contemporary artists such as Yungblud and The Pretty Reckless alongside the established hard rock sounds of Alice in Chains and Foo Fighters. Songs including “The Dark,” the angsty “Unmake Me,” and the ambitious eight-minute “You’ll Never Know” demonstrated the band’s willingness to move between aggressive rock, melodic hooks, and more experimental arrangements.

FOUST continued developing its sound through subsequent singles, including “This Chariot Is on Fire,” “Fashion,” and “Suns.” Each release expanded the project’s catalog while exploring different combinations of heavy guitar riffs, alternative rock melodies, electronic elements, and industrial-inspired production. Together, these recordings reflected a project unwilling to remain confined to one particular interpretation of rock music, balancing infectious hooks with heavier arrangements and darker sonic textures.

The project’s latest chapter introduces “Devolver,” released November 20, 2026, through 1840 Music. Driven by aggressive guitar riffs, pounding drums, commanding vocals, and industrial influences, the track combines the urgency of modern hard rock with a massive, hook-driven chorus. Exploring themes of confrontation, defiance, and surrendering to chaos, “Devolver” represents the continuing evolution of FOUST’s sound. The single is being promoted internationally to terrestrial and streaming rock radio.

More about the band…

Christopher Foust’s musical career began in 2001, fronting the Nashville-based metal band ATG, which released two EPs and a full-length album. He subsequently joined the retro-rock outfit Kennedy, touring throughout the southeastern United States before forming Blackwater James as lead vocalist and guitarist. Blackwater James developed an international following, releasing a full-length album, an EP produced with Chris Utley, and additional recordings featuring collaborations with established rock musicians.

During its run, Blackwater James received coverage from publications including Classic Rock Magazine and Black Velvet, along with numerous independent music outlets. The band shared stages with acts including Tantric, Saving Abel, BulletBoys, and musicians associated with Ratt, Queensrÿche, and Stryper. When Blackwater James dissolved in 2012, Foust continued performing, including a recurring blues and soul residency at Nashville Underground on Broadway. During this period, he developed much of the songwriting and musical direction that would eventually become FOUST.

In 2019, Foust reunited with drummer Todd Schlosser and producer and bassist Chris Utley to record the foundation of the new project at Benchmark Records. The band subsequently expanded its live lineup to include guitarist Brian Stanley, rhythm guitarist Alex Auer, and bassist “Spookie” Rollings, alongside Foust and Schlosser.

Beyond his work as a frontman and guitarist, Christopher Foust is an established songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and independent record label owner with experience spanning rock, country, and alternative music. His extensive touring and recording background informs the approach behind FOUST, bringing together traditional musicianship, modern production techniques, and an independent creative philosophy.

With a growing catalog that includes REVIVAL, IT’S A VIBE, “This Chariot Is on Fire,” “Fashion,” “Suns,” and “Devolver,” FOUST continues to build on its foundation of heavy guitars, strong songwriting, industrial influences, and an uncompromising approach to hard rock.

FOUST makes hard rock meant to be played loud.