The Boxer Rebellion (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Boxer Rebellion | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active | since 2003 |
| Labels | Unsigned |
| Website | TheBoxerRebellion.com |
| Members | |
| Nathan Nicholson Adam Harrison Piers Hewitt Todd Howe | |
The Boxer Rebellion is an alternative rock band formed in London, United Kingdom around 2001, consisting of Nathan Nicholson (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Todd Howe (lead guitar), Adam Harrison (bass guitar), and Piers Hewitt (drums). They have so far released two albums, Exits (2005) and Union (2009).
Contents[hide] |
[edit] History
In 2000, singer Nathan Nicholson left the United States after the death of his mother and moved to the United Kingdom, more specifically to London. Nicholson connected with guitarist Todd Howe through an online posting for musicians that resulted in the creation of a firm friendship and the beginnings of a band.
They soon attracted the attention of drummer Piers Hewitt, who was just graduating from London Music School.[1] Their first project was known as Slippermen. Rob Loflin, a friend of Nicholson's from Tennessee, played bass on early sessions before leaving the band and being replaced by current bassist Adam Harrison, who graduated from London Music School along with Hewitt. As Slippermen they produced a single and an EP, named "Lens" and The Traveler respectively, but received limited commercial success.
After rebranding to The Boxer Rebellion and with a massive overhaul in their sound they reworked their ensemble and started building a fan-base. As a result of the PlayLouder competition, in June 2003, the band played the Glastonbury New Bands tent ahead of Keane. Shortly after this appearance they were signed by Alan McGee to his Poptones record label.
Following the release of their debut EP, the band were to embark on a tour with The Killers, but while on tour with The Raveonettes Nathan became seriously ill with a burst appendix which required 5 hours of surgery and months of recovery forcing them to cancel the forthcoming tour.[2].
After three singles following their debut EP, their first full length album, Exits, was released on May 2, 2005. "Watermelon", seen as the band's signature track, was featured on The Football Factory soundtrack (along with Razorlight, The Libertines, and The Buzzcocks).
Two weeks after the album was released the Poptones label imploded, rendering the band without a label which they announced at a gig at the ICA on May 16.[3] They have been unsigned ever since.[4]
The band continued financing their own gigs and playing throughout the UK and mainland Europe. While having support slots for such artists as Editors, Lenny Kravitz and Gary Numan, the band continued writing and recording.
Their music can be heard on Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's second motorcycle adventure, Long Way Down.
They released their self-funded second album Union on iTunes in January 2009.
[edit] Current activity
January 2009 saw the band release their second full-length album, Union. It was exclusively released via iTunes with the lead single "Evacuate" (previously a limited edition vinyl release in 2008) hosted as "iTunes single of the week". The album peaked at #4 in the iTunes UK top 100 album chart, and reached #2 in the alternative chart (second to Kings of Leon's late 2008 Only by the Night), both within 5 days of its release.
The band plans to physically release the album on CD and vinyl sometime later in 2009.[5] It is presently available on CD at HMV stores in Canada and the UK, through an exclusive agreement.
Due to the lack of a physical copy, Union could not enter the official UK chart based on downloads alone despite high charting positions, a situation which achieved media coverage in the NME,[6] The Daily Telegraph,[7] and The Evening Standard.[8]
In the spring and early summer of 2009, the band filmed scenes in New York City, USA, featuring new songs written for an upcoming movie from New Line Cinemas starring Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, and Charlie Day, called "Going The Distance," which is slated for release on August 13, 2010, according to imdb.[9]
In December 2009, The Boxer Rebellion's album, "Union," was named the Best Alternative Album by the editors of iTunes Rewind 2009, a list of the best iTunes music for the year.[10]
The band performed at SXSW 2010 and were awarded Best Men In Black by SPIN[11] magazine's online review. They will be recording a new album in spring 2010 with producer Ethan Johns.
Piers Hewitt currently performs a weekly radio show on Brentwood radio station Phoenix FM.[12]
[edit] Discography
[edit] EPs
[edit] Studio albums
[edit] Live albums
| [edit] Singles
|
[edit] References
- ^ http://drownedinsound.com/directory/artists/The_Boxer_Rebellion
- ^ http://musicremedy.com/b/Boxer_Rebellion/album/UNION-6261.html
- ^ http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tIzqqVtR86Q
- ^ http://www.maidstoneextra.co.uk/kol08/article/default.asp?article_id=25885
- ^ http://www.theboxerrebellion.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/253/P210/#5380
- ^ http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/42124
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/4298457/Unsigned-band-The-Boxer-Rebellion-set-to-top-download-charts.html
- ^ http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23623415-details/Download+rebels+upset+charts/article.do
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1322312/
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewCustomPage?name=pageiTunesRewind09
- ^ http://www.spin.com/articles/best-worst-moments-sxsw-day-4
- ^ http://www.phoenixfm.com/friday%27s-the-new-thursday.php
- ^ Billboard, Allmusic
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 74. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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