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.
http://www.theboxerrebellion.com
https://www.facebook.com/theboxerrebellion
http://instagram.com/theboxerrebellion#
http://www.youtube.com/user/theboxerrebellion
https://soundcloud.com/theboxerrebellion
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
Misplaced
The Boxer Rebellion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Given chances you won't take
Shy away from the heart ache
Just a means to an end
Your quick fix
In the ring of the conflict
With nothing to work with
And then
We'll rise
With fire in our eyes
And take you by surprise
Make up, decieve
a voice to recieve
A light that never leaves
Slow right down
Lost love
With little to speak of
These feelings of bad blood
Must go quickly away
Your loose ends
Realising your true friends
In a war that no one wins
Let the sleeping dogs lie
The song Misplaced by The Boxer Rebellion talks about someone who is avoiding the heartache and missing opportunities given to them. The person seems to be searching for a quick fix in the ring of conflict, yet they have nothing to work with and nothing in mind. The lyrics signify the importance of taking chances and not being afraid of the heartache that comes with it.
Furthermore, the lyrics suggest that rising with fire in one's eyes can take people by surprise, and it's important to make up for the past and move forward. The song also talks about finding a voice to receive, which can be interpreted as finding someone to listen and understand. The light that never leaves in the lyrics signifies hope, something that should always stay with us.
The chorus of the song "slow right down" suggests slowing down in life, taking a step back and reflecting on things. The lyrics mention lost love, feelings of bad blood, and loose ends. It talks about the war that no one wins, and realizing who our true friends are.
Line by Line Meaning
Given chances you won't take
You ignore opportunities presented to you
Shy away from the heart ache
You avoid emotional pain and discomfort
Just a means to an end
You only care about achieving your ultimate goal and will do whatever it takes to get there
Your quick fix
You choose temporary solutions that fail to address underlying problems
In the ring of the conflict
You find yourself trapped in a destructive pattern of behavior
With nothing to work with
You lack the necessary tools and resources to help yourself
And nothing in mind
You lack direction and purpose
And then
Despite all of this,
We'll rise
Those who are struggling will eventually overcome their difficulties
With fire in our eyes
With fierce determination and passion
And take you by surprise
Their success will catch you off guard
Make up, deceive
They may resort to manipulation and dishonesty to achieve their goals
a voice to receive
They may seek support from others who understand their struggles
A light that never leaves
Hope remains, even during the darkest times
Slow right down
Take a step back and evaluate the situation
Lost love
Relationships that have ended or gone wrong
With little to speak of
Without much to show for the time and effort invested in them
These feelings of bad blood
Negative emotions that have built up between people
Must go quickly away
It's important to let go of past grievances in order to move forward
Your loose ends
The unresolved issues in your life
Realizing your true friends
Recognizing the people who will support and stand by you, even in difficult times
In a war that no one wins
A destructive conflict in which all parties involved suffer
Let the sleeping dogs lie
It's best to avoid stirring up old conflicts or problems
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Klaas Vos
Misplaced
Given chances you won't take
Shy away from the heart ache
Just a means to an end
Your quick fix
In the ring of the conflict
With nothing to work with
And nothing in mind
And then
We'll rise
With fire in our eyes
And take you by surprise
Make up, decieve
a voice to recieve
A light that never leaves
Slow right down
Lost love
With little to speak of
These feelings of bad blood
Must go quickly away
Your loose ends
Realising your true friends
In a war that no one wins
Let the sleeping dogs lie
Camila G.
I remember listening this song in my grandma's funeral. It turned a tragic event into a magical experience. I will never forget this song and that particular moment.
Zora Z
Must have been magical to have this track with you at such a difficult time <3 Sorry for your loss x
KeaneLuvr
That's beautiful..sorry about your loss!xx
StonedNoodz
Not enough people know bout this song and how beautifully eerie it is.❤
Zora Z
5-6 solid weeks now of The Boxer Rebellion since I found them <3 Can not get enough! LOL Have to say, Union is my fav album - style of music is just gorgeous (if thats the right thing to call this type of rock :) :) !! ). Reminds me of the 90s, that superb indie era, great rock, individual styles. On first listen to you, I knew I'd forever be playing your music - if grandkids come along one day in the far future, they'll be singing the lyrics to Diamonds whilst they get on with their day, just as my daughter does now... lol Utterly brilliant musicians! Love you guys forever :) :)
Zora Z
You guys blow me away!!! Just making my lunch for work before I head out, and the build up on this track always catches me!!!!!! I love the way you guys hear music ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ ooh ps, the very last 5 seconds sound v Depeche Mode 😍😍
Chadi Baytamouni
Amazing song! That s what quality music is!!
Stephen Barry
Listen to these guys. It's mystical
SHA zwei
Omg i cant stop repeating this song
Lachance Allstar
Still great.