The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion is a London alternative rock band active from 2002 to the present. The line-up includes Nathan Nicholson, Todd Howe, Adam Harrison, Piers Hewitt and Andrew Smith, and the group works across alternative rock, indie folk, indie pop and indie rock.

Formation and early years

The band forms in London after a chance meeting between vocalist Nathan Nicholson and guitarist Todd Howe at the 12 Bar Club. Nicholson arrives in London after leaving Tennessee in 2000 following his mother’s death. Howe and Nicholson begin writing and living together, and college friends Adam Harrison and Piers Hewitt join to complete the group. The band’s name is linked to their shared interest in expansive, escapist music.

Releases and label history

The Boxer Rebellion first issues a limited self-titled EP in 2003, funded and released by the band themselves. That release leads to a slot in Glastonbury’s New Bands tent and a deal with Alan McGee’s Poptones label, which releases the single “Watermelon” in the same year. The band later signs to Universal Music after Exits, but financial problems affect the label relationship and both Poptones and Universal drop the band in 2007. The band later regains control of its material in 2008.

In 2009, some members move to Berlin while the band prepares Union, which appears through an exclusive worldwide iTunes deal alongside a re-release of Exits. The album reaches number 2 on the Alternative chart and number 4 on the iTunes UK Top 100, but does not qualify for the official UK Top 40 because it appears at a time when a physical release is required. The CD and vinyl versions follow in August.

The Cold Still appears in 2011 through the band’s own label, Absentee Recordings, and is also released on iTunes. The album reaches number 24 on iTunes with a peak position of 20 and remains on the US iTunes album chart for nine days. The band also releases a live album, Live in Tennessee, in 2011, recorded and mixed by Ben McAmis and drawn from one concert.

Singles, rarities and later work

In 2012 the band announces B-Sides & Rarities Collection, Vol. 1 & 2, a two-volume set of previously unreleased or non-album tracks. Volume one gathers material from around the early period and debut, while volume two includes later tracks, rarities and bonus material associated with The Cold Still. The band finishes recording its fourth studio album, Promises, in early 2013, with “Diamonds” issued as the debut single and followed by “Keep Moving” and “Promises”.

Touring and media placements

The Boxer Rebellion tours regularly and builds a strong live following. Its music appears in television and games: “Both Sides Are Even” is used in Grey’s Anatomy, “Step Out of the Car” appears in Rocksmith, “Losing You” is written for Batman: Arkham City, and “Caught By The Light” is used in Nikita. The band also makes its network television debut on Late Show with David Letterman in 2011, performing “Step Out of the Car”.

Line-up change

Todd Howe leaves the band in 2014 to focus on production and other interests, after which The Boxer Rebellion continues as a three-piece before later membership listings include Andrew Smith.