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 Gospel Of Goro Adachi
The Boxer Rebellion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Asked to stop
Tunnel vision
Wasted up
We got lost
We found ourselves
Surrounded by things
Getting closer
Blinding lights began to set fire to our minds
Long directions mixing up
Points of reference bound and stuck
Talks to nothing falls apart
Constant questions from the start
We got lost
We found ourselves
Surrounded by things
Getting closer
All around us
Blinding lights began to set fire to our minds
I don't want to be myself
What's done is done
What's done is done to me
What's done is done
What's done is done because
We got lost
We found ourselves
Surrounded by things
Getting closer
All around us
Blinding lights began to set fire to our minds
In "The Gospel of Goro Adachi," The Boxer Rebellion paints a vivid picture of being lost and disoriented, both physically and mentally. The lyrics describe being "breached in straight lines" and "asked to stop," suggesting a loss of direction and control. The concept of "tunnel vision" adds to this feeling of being confined, with "blinding lights" serving as a sensory overload that sets "fire to our minds." The repetition of the phrase "we got lost, we found ourselves" serves as an admission of confusion and uncertainty, followed by a sense of discovery and clarity.
The singer seems to be wrestling with their own identity, expressing a desire to escape themselves: "I don't want to be myself." The phrase "what's done is done" echoes this sentiment, implying a sense of resignation and acceptance of past mistakes or circumstances out of their control. The repetition of this phrase with slight variations ("done is done to me," "done is done because") highlights the singer's internal struggle to come to terms with their situation.
Overall, "The Gospel of Goro Adachi" captures a sense of being lost and disoriented in both a physical and emotional sense. The lyrics emphasize the importance of self-reflection and discovery in finding one's way back onto a meaningful path.
Line by Line Meaning
Breached in straight lines
We followed a direct path, without deviation.
Asked to stop
We were requested to cease our actions.
Tunnel vision
We only saw one path forward and were blinded to other options.
Wasted up
We were exhausted and lacked direction.
We got lost
We became disoriented and lost our way.
We found ourselves
We discovered our true identity and purpose.
Surrounded by things
We were encompassed by our surroundings.
Getting closer
The things around us were moving nearer.
All around us
We were completely surrounded.
Blinding lights began to set fire to our minds
We were overwhelmed and consumed by bright, flashing sensations.
Long directions mixing up
Our previously clear directions became confused and jumbled.
Points of reference bound and stuck
We were anchored to past experiences and could not move beyond them.
Talks to nothing falls apart
Communication failed and our plans fell apart.
Constant questions from the start
We continually questioned our motives and actions from the beginning.
I don't want to be myself
I am dissatisfied with my current identity and wish to change.
What's done is done
The past cannot be changed and its consequences must be faced.
What's done is done to me
I am a product of my past experiences and cannot change them.
What's done is done because
The reasons for past actions cannot be changed and must be accepted.
Contributed by Savannah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Noah Hubbard
This song makes me want to drift away and never return to reality. This has to be one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard in my life, I'm not even joking. Always and forever, The Boxer Rebellion will be my favorite band!! :)
Diana Rivera
I know that feel. This is a perfect song. ❤
Noah Hubbard
+Dianaa Riiveraa it's still breathtaking to this day 😍
Diana Rivera
+Noah Hubbard I know! 😍
Mark Brown
This is a beautiful song. You should check out a band called slowdive in particular a song called crazy for love and once you've listened to that song listen to every other song they do. You won't be disappointed
Mark Brown
Absolutely breathtaking song
Dave Embury
Absolutely love this song played live!!!
The Above And Below
This is a beautiful song.
Has anyone checked out Goro Adachi's actual works?
Very interesting and amazing to see a band exposing his ideas to others.
Peace.
Michael Moon - Dreamtime Poet
Thanks for the link to Goro Adachi's work.
Diana Rivera
Perfect song ever!❤❤