The Boxing Lesson
The Boxing Lesson |
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The Boxing Lesson is an American three-piece band based in Austin, Texas. To date, the band has released three EPs, and one full length album. The band have described themselves as "space rock," though they incorporate a wide range of genres, including noise rock, progressive rock, shoegaze, art rock, post punk and alt rock.
History
The band was formed in Los Angeles, where they recorded and released their first two EPs. The first, self-titled effort gained local buzz, and their second EP, entitled "Radiation", received some good national and international reviews, with Splendid Magazine describing it as "promising, if imperfect".[2] In 2005, the band's frontman Paul Waclawsky relocated from California to Texas, where he assembled a new lineup for the band including Jaylinn Davidson on synthesizers and Jake Mitchell on drums. There, the band quickly recorded "Songs in the Key of C", before taking some time to record a follow-up full length album. This album, entitled 'Wild Streaks & Windy Days, was eventually released in 2008 to generally 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]
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".[5] 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 to be released in 2009.[6]
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. [7]
Musical style
The band's sound primarily is built around a space rock ethos, with heavy use of Moog synthesizers, and echo and tape delay effects. The band has not had a bass player since relocating to Austin, the rhythmic function of the bassline is instead usually performed by the synth.[6]
The band released a stop motion music video for the track "Brighter' from Wild Streaks and Windy Days. The video, directed by Victor Yiu, was constructed from over 7000 still images.[8] There is also a music video for Dark Side of the Moog from the same album, directed by Eric Power, which features an animated version of the band exploring an alien planet.[9]
Discography
Albums
- Wild Streaks and Windy Days (2008)
EPs
- Songs in the Key of C (2006)
- Radiation (2004)
- The Boxing Lesson (2003)
References
- ^ "CD Baby - The Boxing Lesson". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ Kriofske, Chris. "Splendid Magazine reviews The Boxing Lesson: Radiation". 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.
- ^ Powell, Austin (2008-07-29). "Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "Paul Waclawsky of The Boxing Lesson". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ "Daytrotter: Insomniac Dealings For The Anxiety Set". Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ "Video: The Boxing Lesson - "Brighter"". Austin Sound. 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "The Boxing Lesson - Dark Side of the Moog (Video)". Retrieved 2008-11-05.