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
The Absentee
The Boxer Rebellion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before it goes too long
Ask the questions that you want
When they all seem wrong
Because
I saw you first drift right by
I saw you first drift right by
Open up, let us in
When you shut down you
Open up, listen here
When you shut down you
Open up, stay right here
When you look down you slide
Keep the pace for every move
When it goes too fast
Take the place the absentee
If they're running back
Because, because
I saw you first drift right by
I saw you first drift right by
Open up, let us in
When you shut down you
Open up, listen here
When you shut down you
Open up, stay right here
When you look down you slide
Don't throw it all away
I can be your guide
Don't throw it all away
I can be your guide
I saw you first drift right by
The lyrics of this song seem to be about trying to reach someone who has shut themselves off emotionally. The singer is pleading with this person to "throw yourself in front of this," meaning to confront their issues and not let them go too long unresolved. They urge the person to ask the questions they want, even if they seem wrong. It's as if the person in question has withdrawn from the world and the singer is trying to encourage them to open up and be vulnerable again.
The phrase "I saw you first drift right by" seems to indicate that the singer has known this person for a while and has seen them change, possibly for the worse. The chorus repeats the plea to "open up" and not shut down emotionally. The second half of the song seems to suggest that the singer is willing to stick with this person and help guide them through their difficulties. The line "I can be your guide" is repeated twice, emphasizing that the singer is willing to be there for the person in question even if they are struggling.
Overall, the song comes across as a plea to someone who has withdrawn from the world to come back and be present in their own life. The lyrics are simple yet effective in conveying this message, and the repetitive chorus emphasizes the urgency of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Throw yourself in front of this
Take action and get involved before it's too late
Before it goes too long
Before the situation becomes more difficult to handle
Ask the questions that you want
Don't be afraid to seek answers
When they all seem wrong
Especially when the answers seem off
Because
The following lines serve as an explanation for why the singer gives advice
I saw you first drift right by
I noticed you became passive and ignored the issue
Open up, let us in
Be receptive to suggestions from others
When you shut down you
Don't close yourself off mentally and emotionally
Open up, listen here
Pay attention to what's being said
When you shut down you
Referring to the same idea as above: don't isolate yourself
Open up, stay right here
Stay present in the moment
When you look down you slide
Don't disregard or avoid the problem, face it
Keep the pace for every move
Stay active and mindful
When it goes too fast
During times of rapid change
Take the place the absentee
Step up and fill in the gaps left by those who left
If they're running back
In case people return and need support
Don't throw it all away
Don't waste potential opportunities
I can be your guide
I can offer support and direction
I saw you first drift right by
Reiterating that the singer has noticed the other person's reluctance until now
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CaptainOatwright
Wonderful. One of my fav BR songs- and there's a lot of quality to choose from
Bastion NCIS
This song reminds me of when I was 8 years old.
GrandeLeon04
La mejor banda,,,
Paulo Martins
I remember first time i listen this Band. It was 2011 and i was at Paris at MK2 near BNF watch the movie "going in a distance" when in one of the movie scenes the "guy" takes a girl to a bar and the Band playing in the stage was TBR...
Since then 10 years gone and i kept fall in love.
Tamiles Doralicio
Me too đź’™
Zora Z
Gorgeous!
Erkan Onur Güleç
i'm sorry i said but tbr is best unknown band in the world..they are doing much  melodic music..they should be known.