The Boxing Lesson
The Boxing Lesson | |
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Origin | Phil Cobb Casey Jones John Treanor Daniel Haworth Matt Bongirno Ryan Cano Venny Nunez Michael Orendy Mel Dillon Eric Von Harding Christine Bruton Garrett Johnson |
The Boxing Lesson is a rock band from Austin, Texas. A power trio with synthesizers performing the bass player's role, they create a mammoth psychedelic 'wall of sound' that begins minimally and builds into grand orchestrations. Vocalist and guitarist Paul Waclawsky and synthesizer player Jaylinn Davidson combine strong songwriting with desert rock, guitar freak-outs, soul space jams and plenty of Texas rock ’n’ roll thunder.
The Boxing Lesson EP
The Boxing Lesson was formed in
Radiation
The band quickly recorded a follow up with Matt Brown and Chris Pearson at Sonikwire Studios in Irvine, CA. Expanding on the sound of the debut EP, the band incorporated classical music, more
Songs in the Key of C
In late 2004, Waclawsky relocated from California to
Wild Streaks & Windy Days
After doing several tours promoting Songs in the Key of C, the band quickly went back to Tim Gerron in 2007 to record their debut full length album. Focusing on more atmospheric textures and varied styles of songwriting, the 12-song album, Wild Streaks & Windy Days, took 8 months to record and was eventually self-released at SXSW 2008 to positive reviews. Barrett King of Baltimore's Sën magazine compared the sound of the album to that of other space rock acts like Pink Floyd and David Bowie,[3] while LA Cityzine praised its "rich lyrical offerings and strong musicianship".[4] The Lemur Blog in Sweden wrote, ""The result is spaced out, it's probably the best space rock album you can find within the scrutinized confines of 2008.".[5] The Music Reviewer gave the album a 9.0/10 and said, "It's an amazing mix of the past and the present, without being too much of either. It's a group that you'll hear more of in the future, and it's a group that knows how to pay homage to – and not just copy – their idols from the past."[6] Indiecision blog from India described The Boxing Lesson's sound as, "if Failure and Pink Floyd got together to drink mushroom tea out of fancy little teacups and chase the white rabbit with Brian Eno and Robert Smith".[7]
Jake Mitchell
In August 2008, the band's drummer, Jake Mitchell, was sentenced to five years of prison after being charged by the Austin police for "conspiracy to manufacture marijuana".[10] Before Mitchell went to prison, the band went into the studio to record a number of tracks that could become the foundation of a new EP.[11]
On February 14, 2009, Daytrotter posted a session recorded live in Rock Island, IL, featuring an unreleased song, "Room 17," that was written as a tribute to Mitchell.[12]
Fur State
On October 26, 2010, The Boxing Lesson released Fur State, a
An
Muerta EP
The Boxing Lesson released a collection of four slow-tempo psychedelic tracks entitled Muerta EP in the summer of 2011. These songs were recorded over several years in
Health is the New Drug b/w Better Daze
"Health is the New Drug" was released as a single along with b-side "Better Daze" in February 2012. New Fortune Records, a Detroit imprint, pressed a vinyl single. It's the first track being released from the upcoming Big Hits LP produced by Chris "Frenchie" Smith (Trail of Dead, Meat Puppets, Ume). The song features psychedelic guitar riffs, a wall of synthesizers, and a few words of wisdom (or caution).[19] "Relying on MOOG for bottom end and tons of sonic noise, the songs blend Meddle-era Floyd guitar freak-outs with M83 propulsion, Spiritualized soul space jams with Texas rock ’n’ roll thunder."[20] High praise came from the Houston Press who said, "Seriously, "Health is the New Drug" is the best song we've heard this year."[21] An animated music video for Better Daze was released at the end of 2012. The video depicts a meteor filled with dark life forms plummeting into Earth releasing bizarre creatures on Austin, TX. Directed by Eric Power the video combines live action with cut paper shadow animation filmed on a green screen. Houston Press ranked Better Daze number 15 in their Top 25 music videos of 2012.[22]
Big Hits!
Big Hits! is the first full-length album released by The Boxing Lesson in five years. It's more rock-oriented than The Boxing Lesson's past albums and is produced by Chris "Frenchie" Smith (...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, The Darkness, Dandy Warhols, Ringo Deathstarr) at The Bubble in Austin, TX. Big Hits! was released at SXSW 2013 to positive reviews. The Austin Chronicle gave it 3 ½ stars and said, “Arms buried deep in galactic mud, the Boxing Lesson takes an outer space journey to the center of the Earth.” [23]
Making this new album was no easy fight for the Boxing Lesson. When Paul Waclawsky and keyboardist Jaylinn Davidson began writing the band's second LP four punishing years ago, they planned to name it Possibilities. Only after enduring a long and merciless beatdown of bad luck and creative interruptions did they come to curse that title. The album was mixed by Kevin Butler at Test Tube Audio, and mastered off analog tape by Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova in Austin, TX. The results brought the project to completion, except for the album name. Utilizing a clever triple entendre, they renamed it Big Hits! and emerged with a 12th round knockout. [24]
Musical style
The band's sound primarily is built around a psychedelic space rock ethos, with Paul Waclawsky's dark melodic guitar work using
Discography
- Big Hits! (2013)[27]
- Health is the New Drug (2012)
- Muerta EP (2011)
- Fur State (2010)
- Wild Streaks and Windy Days (2008)
- Songs in the Key of C (2006)
- Radiation (2004)
- The Boxing Lesson (2003)
References
- ^ Kriofske, Chris. "Splendid Magazine reviews The Boxing Lesson: Radiation". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ Gray, Chris. "Austin Chronicle reviews The Boxing Lesson: Songs in the Key of C". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ King, Barrett. "The Boxing Lesson: Wild Streaks & Windy Days". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ Monty, Olin. "The Boxing Lesson: Deep Soundscapes and Rock n Roll". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ The Lemur. "The Boxing Lesson: Wild Streaks & Windy Days". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ McKinney, David. "The Boxing Lesson: Wild Streaks & Windy Days". Retrieved 2008-07-12.
- ^ Ravi, Arjun. "The Boxing Lesson: Interview". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ "The Boxing Lesson - Dark Side of the Moog (Video)". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ "Video: The Boxing Lesson - "Brighter"". Austin Sound. 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
- ^ Powell, Austin (2008-07-29). "Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
- ^ a b "Paul Waclawsky of The Boxing Lesson". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ "Daytrotter: Insomniac Dealings For The Anxiety Set". Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ "Austin Chronicle Review". Retrieved 2010-11-26.
- ^ "The Boxing Lesson - One (Video)". Retrieved 2010-10-28.
- ^ "Video: The Boxing Lesson - Four (NSFW?)". Retrieved 2011-02-08.
- ^ "Video: The Boxing Lesson - Three". Retrieved 2011-03-20.
- ^ "The Boxing Lesson- Muerta". Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ "The Boxing Lesson- Muerta". Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ^ "Side One Track One - Thursday, February 2, 2012". Retrieved 2012-02-02.
- ^ "The Boxing Lesson at the Milestone tonight". Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "30 Seconds with The Boxing Lesson". Retrieved 2012-04-20.
- ^ "The Top 25 Music Videos of 2012, Nos. 15-11". Retrieved 2012-12-12.
- ^ "SXSW 2013 Records: The Boxing Lesson". Retrieved 2013-03-15.
- ^ "Playback: The Boxing Lesson Goes Rambo". Retrieved 2013-05-10.
- ^ "Wild Streaks & Windy Days". Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ Franklin, Craig. "The Boxing Lesson: Wild Streaks & Windy Days". Retrieved 2008-07-12.
- ^ "Chris "Frenchie" Smith Producer". Retrieved 2010-12-28.