The Boxer Rebellion: Interview

The Boxer Rebellion Interview: 22nd March 2009

It’s a calm, dry Sunday afternoon in Oxford, and the Bullindgon Arms on the Cowley Road is just as relaxing. We are joined by Todd Howe from billboard topping band The Boxer Rebellion, who talks us through the bands recent release, ‘Union’ and how their journey up to this point has been an uprising in itself.

So, you’ve had a great year so far! What was it like having ‘Union’ make such a huge first impression?
“Pretty good, with vindication. We’ve had the anticipation since November. Just after 3 or four years of being told your crap, people are allowed to finally decide for themselves”

What was it like selling out the London Dingwalls at the start of February?
“Good! Lot of fans didn’t buy advance tickets in the past. Fans also had the chance of seeing us in a bigger venue”

So, lets talk about ‘Union’ ! There must have been a huge sense of achievement upon the release?
“We are really happy with the outcome! Tom Morris [co-producer] has a great approach to recording, it’s how we sound”

Were there any new directions or musical styles that you wanted to encompass on the new record?
“The only electronic sounding track is ‘The Gospel Of Gora Adachi’. Most of the songs came first as we didn’t have the money to experiment. We hope the songs dictate”

New single, ’Evacuate’ has a more punching yet diverse sound to it. What was the thinking behind using this approach?
“We wanted to do something a little bit faster…more four on the floor on this record. We wanted to write something heavy”

Other strong tracks include ‘Forces’ , ‘Semi - Automatic’ and ‘Spitting Fire’. Are these potential singles?
“Unsure at the moment. ‘These Walls Are Thin’ sounds the most like a single. It’s the oldest track on Union. We wrote it in 2003 but we thought it would fit perfectly on the new record.”

If you could choose one track off the new album that you are most proud, or that most sums up what you wanted to achieve, which would it be?
“‘Flashing Red Light Means Go’, it pretty much sums up Union. I think it’s the best song on the record. It’s got the best distance and guitar sound.”

Would it be fair to say that compared to Union, your debut, ‘Exits’ has a more raw and darker feel to it?
“Union is better, but Exits is a darker record. It flows a lot better and was definitely more fun to make”

So, you have a massive April ahead of you, performing across Europe and then America! Looking forward to it? Scared?
“I’m really, really looking forward to it. We are going to try and do as many festivals as we can!”

How did you choose the name for the band? Does it symbolise your attitude to your music?
“We read about the uprising and we initially thought it sounded cool and interesting. But it does make sense”

How would you place yourselves amongst other groups currently in the charts, for example Kings Of Leon, Coldplay etc?
“We are in a bit of a different boat. I think the third record will allow us to really establish ourselves”

I know it’s a bit too early to say, but any thoughts on the sound of the next album?
“It’s going to be more diverse, less wet, bigger in a different way. We will have a lot more time for it and I think people will be able to relate to it more”