As fate would have it Nicholson's powerful yet ethereal vocals couldn't have found a more perfect counterfoil in Howe's relentless guitar assaults had he wailed imploringly into the catacombs of cyberspace for a willing accomplice. Completed by a supremely talented rhythm section in Englishmen Adam Harrison bass and Piers Hewitt drums , The Boxer Rebellion set about making their eponymous debut EP, which was released in to a rapturous reception from press and public alike.
Their masterpiece debut, however, began to live a covert, underground life - being passed quietly from person to person until it had amassed itself a small army of feverishly devoted fans. Never failing to sell out venues in London or indeed across Europe, the band's incendiary live shows - whenever they happened to manifest themselves - soon became the stuff of legend, underpinned always by performances of new songs well before they could ever be recorded.
Over the last 4 years, the guys have worked hard and saved diligently, pooling their resources and an unshakeable self-belief to finally give back to their enduring supporters by way of a second album that would surpass even the vertiginous ambititudios, and the industry once again began to ruffle its collective feathers.
The aptly-titled and self-produced Union is the result of what can be achieved when sublime ability, relentless drive, and true commitment converge towards a shared, immovable goal. First to be knocked out by the album's might were the good people at iTunes who announced that alongside a Union album release, lead track 'Evacuate' would be their worldwide Free Single Of The Week on January 13th - an unprecedented move made even more remarkable given the band were, and remain, unsigned.
Adam Harrison and Piers Hewitt were studying at a music college together. It was a pretty organic formation. Andy Smith replaced Howe after the latter moved to the US with his partner in , otherwise the lineup has stayed the same.
Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a day free trial. We eventually finished the record and it ended up kind of relaunching us to a degree. Not having enough money to produce physical copies of CDs, the band self-released the album online.
It later became the first ever self-released album to enter the US top through digital sales alone. This fierce independence and creativity has proved essential to their survival and success. Now, 17 years into their career, they are often described as existing in a hinterland somewhere between Radiohead and The National, with melodies drenched in emotive introspection resonating with their large fan base around the world. Success overseas has always been greater for the group than in the UK, an anomaly many of their loyal British fan base struggle to understand.
Losing his father early last year, his mother when he was aged just 18, and his unborn child six years ago, Nicholson reflects on ideas of loss, love and grief. I came back and we recorded, starting it within a couple of days. The theme of loss runs throughout the album. It was really nice to get involved with someone like CALM. Whereas I think a lot of young men, especially, find it very difficult to open up about their feelings.
Hopefully it will help to start a dialogue and helps people when they need help. A lot of people are very guarded, they find it difficult to say what they want to say or they just shut it away; a lot of men obviously do that. Trying to be open is something that everyone can be better at. Part of this, Nicholson thinks, is down to his relationship and perspective on the past. More catharsis, Nicholson adds, came from returning to their acoustic roots. It morphed into a bigger idea gradually.
Do you remember a few years ago Bombay Bicycle Club did something similar where they made their first record and then did an album? And when Beck did the same thing with Mutations? That was like our blueprint. Nicholson is proud the band are still here and still making music, especially after overcoming so much personally and professionally.
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