In 2000, Nathan Nicholson left Tennessee, America after the death of his mother, and came to London. The band formed in 2001 through a chance meeting at London's 12 Bar Club between vocalist Nathan and guitarist Todd. This quickly cemented into a firm friendship which resulted in them living and writing together. College friends Adam and Piers, were soon intrigued, and completed the line-up. All shared common influences, and a passion for epic, escapist music - The Boxer Rebellion was born.
In June 2003, after funding and releasing their own limited edition self-titled EP, they bolstered their way onto Glastonbury's New Bands tent, and were soon snapped up by Alan McGee's Poptones label, who put out first single Watermelon in the same year. Before the enormity of what they were doing had even registered, the Boxers spent months in the studio rehearsing and writing, before disaster struck for Nicholson, and riders and roadies were swapped for a hospital bed and saline drips. A twelve hour operation to remove a life-threatening growth from his stomach was successful. He was lucky. The result was the cancellation of tours with Razorlight and The Killers, among others.
The band was signed by major label Universal Music following Exits, who promised worldwide distribution and a free hand in continuing to create records of longevity and substance. Instead, the deal proved more of a curse than a blessing, as Universal became reluctant to continue to finance the lengthy gestation of the next record. Financial difficulties led Poptones to drop the Boxer Rebellion in early 2007, with Universal following suit soon after; however, both continued to hold rights to the band's catalogue and digital distribution. With the record nearly complete and invitations to tour from Editors and others still open, the band began a lengthy fight to get control back over them, which they eventually won in 2008. In January, an unmixed version of future single Evacuate was released on limited vinyl, but it would be a full year before anything approaching a full release was possible, and some of the band moved to Berlin in 2009.
With the money nearly running out and so a physical self-release impossible, the band entered an exclusive worldwide deal with iTunes to put their new record Union out as well as a re-release of Exits. The album charted highly, reaching #2 on the Alternative chart and #4 on the iTunes UK Top 100, but was ineligible for the official UK Top 40 as it was released when a physical release was required. The CD and vinyl were eventually released in August.
The Cold Still was released in the U.S. on 1 February 2011 on iTunes and is available on CD worldwide through the Boxer Rebellion's own label Absentee Recordings. The album charted on iTunes at #24 with a peak position of #20, spending 9 days on the US iTunes album chart. The band made their network television debut on 2 February 2011 on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman, where they performed the single "Step Out of the Car" live. The Boxer's new song "Both Sides are Even" was featured on ABC's Grey's Anatomy on 3 February 2011. Since the release of The Cold Still, the band have had several music placements including two in the videogame industry. "Step Out Of The Car" from The Cold Still was used in 2011's Rocksmith game and original composition "Losing You" was written exclusively for the Batman: Arkham City game soundtrack. Additionally "Caught By The Light" was used in the serial drama Nikita.
Also in 2011 the band released their first full-length live record Live in Tennessee. It was recorded and mixed by Ben McAmis and featured 16 tracks from a single concert.
On 7 November 2012, the band announced the release of their two volume B-Sides & Rarities Collection, Vol. 1 & 2, which contains tracks that had been previously recorded, but not included on initial releases of any of the studio albums. Volume one focused on material before and around the band's debut, Exits, and volume two included tracks that were released around and after Union, as well as some rarities that didn't make the cut or were included as bonus tracks for The Cold Still.
The band finished recording their fourth studio album, Promises, in the late part of February 2013. The music video for the debut single from the album, "Diamonds," was released on March 26. The band have toured regularly and released further singles, "Keep Moving", and "Promises".
On April 29, 2014, Todd Howe announced he was leaving the band to concentrate on production and other interests, leaving the Boxers as a three-piece.
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Discography
2003 - The Boxer Rebellion EP, Watermelon
2004 - In Pursuit, Code Red
2005 - All You Do Is Talk, Exits LP, World Without End
2007 - Broken Glass, J F K F C
2008 - Evacuate, Don't Drag Your Dirty Feet
2009 - Union LP, Flashing Red Light Means Go, iTunes Live From London
2011 - The Cold Still LP, Step Out Of The Car, The Runner, No Harm, Live in Tennessee
2012 - B Sides & Rarities Vols. 1 & 2
2013 - Diamonds, Promises LP, Keep Moving
2014 - Promises
Dream
The Boxer Rebellion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't take that bet
And you talk all the time
What is right in your mind full of jealousy
Dream is all you ever do
Surround yourself with walls
And it doesn't help you
That time, you can't turn back
And it's more than it seems
When what you want and what you need are the same thing
Dream is all you ever do
Surround yourself with walls
So no one can get through
Lord we've got to celebrate
The Boxer Rebellion's song "Dream" seems to be an introspective look at someone who is struggling to find their way in life. The lyrics suggest that this person is often jealous of others and is perhaps insecure in their own abilities or accomplishments. The line "Don't lose your head again, I can't take that bet" could be interpreted as someone warning this person not to make a rash decision or take a big risk because they are not confident that it will pay off.
The chorus that repeats several times throughout the song, "Dream is all you ever do, surround yourself with walls so no one can get through" seems to suggest that this person spends a lot of time daydreaming and living in their own head. They have built up walls around themselves to protect themselves from the outside world, perhaps as a defense mechanism because they fear being hurt or rejected.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics become more hopeful. "And it's more than it seems, when what you want and what you need are the same thing" suggests that this person is starting to realize that they don't have to keep dreaming and can actually take steps to make their dreams a reality. The line "Lord, we've got to celebrate" implies that this person is surrounded by supportive people who want to see them succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't lose your head again
Please don't overreact or get too emotional again.
I can't take that bet
I'm not willing to take the risk associated with your unpredictable behavior.
And you talk all the time
You're always vocal about your feelings and opinions.
What is right in your mind full of jealousy
Your mind is clouded by jealousy, making it difficult for you to think logically and determine what's right.
Dream is all you ever do
You're constantly lost in thought and immersed in your own daydreams.
Surround yourself with walls
So no one can get through
You erect barriers around yourself to prevent others from getting too close and possibly hurting you.
And it doesn't help you
That time, you can't turn back
Preventing others from getting close doesn't solve your problems, especially when you can't undo past mistakes.
And it's more than it seems
When what you want and what you need are the same thing
Sometimes, what you truly want and need aren't as clear-cut as they appear and could be one and the same.
Lord we've got to celebrate
We need to take some time to enjoy ourselves and appreciate the good things in life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM HARRISON, NATHAN WARD NICHOLSON, PIERS JOHN TOWLER HEWITT, TODD WILLIAM HOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zora Z
OK... Just spent the last 39 mins in my car outside my home as I couldn't get out of the car... The music was too good!!! This album is utterly gorgeous!!!! Love your voice Nathan ❤️👌 it's like you are literally hugging my heart and I thank you for it 🙏🏻 guitar rifts are perfect. Love you guys ❤️
Zora Z
Yes, I drained my battery too LOL!!! :( Worth it :) haha
leese27canadian
I've been late to work a few times not being able to turn off the song :)
Zora Z
@leese27canadian lol I still have the same reaction a year later!! Glad I'm not alone 😂 😂 😂
Zora Z
Just beautiful!! 💕 Love how you guys write the lyrics and melodies. Lifts me competely and plasters a massive smile on my face 😁😘 so glad I found you guys ❤️
Zora Z
Yes!!!!! Diamonds, Fragile, Dreams then Promises took me home today from work. Its dark, cold and damp out, but these four tracks stoked that fire back up ❤️❤️❤️❤️ you guys are my musical hero's. So much love for you
Gerrit-Jan Jansen
Wow, absolutely fabulous! Yesterday I heard them for the first time on the radio and they are amazing!!
Jan Schneidereit
This hole Album is so beautiful. Already one of my most favorite Albums ever.
Nanna Mary Bernabas
Thanks to TVD for showing me this wonderful song 😻😻❤️💯❤️
Raymond Scheffers
Love this song. Doesn't get any better then this....