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
Step Out
The Boxer Rebellion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inner-city action
It's already won
It's already won
Charges bring a swarm
To rumors of corruption
It's already war
And I'm looking for you
So surrender to me
In this storm
It's hard to see
There's a thin
line between
Love and hate
Love and hate
Step out of the car
Acts of desperation
Leave you in a mess
Leave you in a mess
Americana's glow
Is gone without a place to go
It's already war
It's already war
And I'm looking for you
So surrender to me
In this storm
It's hard to see
There's a thin
line between
Love and hate
Love and hate
Voices winning me instead
Undercover in my head
Voices winning me instead
Triggers pointed at my head
Step out of the car
Step out of the car
Step out of the car
Step out of the car
The lyrics to The Boxer Rebellion's song Step Out Of The Car describe a chaotic scene in an urban setting. The first verse sets the scene of a situation that has already been won, but charges of corruption have caused a swarm of people to gather. The second verse takes on a more intense tone, as it speaks of an ongoing war - both literally and metaphorically. The singer's search for someone in the midst of all of this chaos adds to the confusion and danger of the situation. In the chorus, the singer refers to the thin line between love and hate which, in this scenario, could reference any number of relationships or motivations behind the violence playing out in the song.
The second verse's reference to "Americana's glow" implies that this violence is taking place in the United States, but the song doesn't give any specifics about the location of the events. "Step Out Of The Car" could serve as a warning to those who choose to involve themselves in situations where they may become collateral damage. The repeated refrain of "Step out of the car" could be the singer's plea for someone to stop and avoid the situation altogether.
Overall, the song is very open to interpretation, but the imagery and language used in the lyrics suggest a high-stakes scenario with dangers that go beyond physical harm. It's a song about being sucked into something much larger than oneself without clear motivations or goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Step out of the car
Get out of the car
Inner-city action
Something is going on in the inner city
It's already won
The outcome is already determined and in someone's favor
It's already war
There is conflict and hostility present
Charges bring a swarm
Accusations lead to a sudden influx of people
To rumors of corruption
The reason for the accusations is suspected wrongdoing
And I'm looking for you
The singer is seeking someone
So surrender to me
Give up and submit to the artist
In this storm
Amidst chaos or upheaval
It's hard to see
Visibility is poor
There's a thin
There is a subtle
line between
difference or distinction between two things
Love and hate
Feelings of affection and animosity
Acts of desperation
Desperate actions taken in a difficult situation
Leave you in a mess
Result in a chaotic and unpleasant outcome
Americana's glow
The bright and promising image of America
Is gone without a place to go
Has disappeared without any alternative or solution
Voices winning me instead
The singer is being influenced by ideas or perspectives
Undercover in my head
Undetected and hidden thoughts or feelings
Triggers pointed at my head
Potential sources of danger or harm directed at the artist
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM HARRISON, NATHAN NICHOLSON, PIERS JOHN TOWLER HEWITT, TODD HOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danny Nicholson
You guess will one day get the recognition you deserve, keep the tracks and albums coming guess your amazing! <3
lazy. taledragon
Been listening since I was in the middle school and struggling, now I am in the college and still struggling, still listening. Love you guys.
Marinsky Jones
Stop struggling. Let it go."Life is but a dream."Hope you fight. I'm 47 and I've been struggling since about 9 yrs. Old... It wasn't worth the struggle. Let go & Let "God" .prayers to you though.
lazy. taledragon
@Marinsky Jones thank you so much! I believe that too, God is always with me and I feel lucky to have my health. Everything is gonna be okay and if it doesn't, there is a life after that illusion we call 'life'.
Marinsky Jones
@lazy. taledragon Glad you got the message & wrote!( I don't know what time zone you're in, but I'm up in Maine & it's 4:30 am😂 Go out & enjoy the fall leaves if you have them. And just DONT TAKE THINGS TOO SERIOUSLY. God what I wouldn't give to go back to my freshman year in school!!Please smile🤗🙏💜🌈
lazy. taledragon
@Marinsky Jones It's 11 am here right now :) I try and give my best. I learned it the hard way to not to take people too seriously. Life goes on even with struggles, I won't give up. Blessings to you! Lots of love from Germany :) x
tFGaming
Very nice work here, so relaxing and chilled, yet with just the right amount of energetic moments. Great song.
Zora Z
OK I realised this morning driving to work why I love this song so much - its not just that its an awesome song but it reminds me of my dad years ago, as he had an electric guitar he used to play :) The gorgeous guitar sound at the start of this track takes me back to being a kid and hearing dad play, or letting us play it, the smell of the wires and that lose string deep sound :) Love when music brings back memories or even smells etc. So good!!!
Vincent Smits
Heard some great music playing in the record store and asked "Who are these guys?" Best 17 euro's I ever spent. I play it on and on in heavy 0031 traffic with a smile on my face. The power in this particular song is amazing.
Tony Sproule
One of the greatest bands to come on the scene in a long time! Everything they touch is gold!