SHREDnews

By: Poppy Cleere

WHO ARE THEY?

A four-piece alternative rock band, formed when American Nathan Nicholson (Vocals/Guitar/Keys)  met Todd Howe (Guitar) by chance in a London club. At the age of just 19, Nicholson found himself alone in the British capital – following the death of his mother he’d decided to part ways with his hometown Tennessee and head for a  fresh start elsewhere – It was here that he formed a strong friendship with Howe, resulting in the two living and writing together. It wasn’t long before the duo’s musical ideas attracted the attention of college friends Adam Harrison (Bass) and Piers Hewitt (Drums) who would complete the bands line-up.

WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW THEM

Well it’s not every day that an unsigned band reaches the #4 and #2 spots on the UK iTunes album and alternative charts (just 5 days after initial release) and in fact it’s hardly common for that same band to have toured both the UK and Europe, with the likes of Biffy Clyro, Editors and Lenny Kravitz. And with such a strong following – including famous fans Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Shaun of the dead, Hot Fuzz) – it’s not difficult to see why The Boxer Rebellion became the first ever band to sign an exclusive partnership deal with UK and Canadian music-retailer HMV (FYI music fans- HMV was responsible for recording The Beatles first demo!). Not only have they managed to achieve all of that in under 9 years but their music isn’t half bad either! The foursome’s most recent effort – the beautifully epic and powerful Union – has seemingly received critical acclaim across the board from the world’s top music magazines. Q Magazine described it as: “Arena-sized rock music, redolent of The Bends-era Radiohead and full of shimmering grace.” and Clash Magazine simply said of Union: “Songs clearly designed to reduce stadia to rubble. ”

YOU’LL DIG THEM IF

You’re a fan of similar indie rock acts – The Temper Trap, Death Cab for Cutie, and Coldplay.

TRACKS YOU SHOULD DOWNLOAD

‘Flashing Red Light Means Go’ and ‘Silent Movie’ from second album, Union.

You can catch The Boxer Rebellion live across Europe and Australia at the end of this year. For dates and details please check out www.theboxerrebellion.com or www.myspace.com/theboxerrebellion