BOXER SYMBOLISE just about everyone’s last chance.
Their sponsor/manager, Nigel Thomas, has had no notable successes
since the demise of his professional relationship with Joe Cocker.
Mike Patto (vocals, occasional keyboards and guitars) and Ollie
Halsall (lead guitar, keyboards) should both have "made it"
long ago.
Their previous sojourn together under the former’s moniker produced
some extraordinarily musicianly and witty music – perhaps too much so
for most audiences; consequently they came to be regarded as ‘musician’s
musicians.’
Patto, however, never really got it down on any of their three
records for Island.
Ollie and Patto are well known and – worst of all – ‘respected’
within the business.
Both are remarkably talented, neither have ever been willing to
compromise their ideals which means that neither have ever made a bean.
Early this summer they got back together again with the intention this
time of actually trying to make some money by putting together a band
that would produce good commercial rock music without plumbing the
depths of the lowest common denominator.
Tony Newman came in to play drums, Keith Ellis to play bass.
Their Roundhouse gig late last Sunday afternoon was their third or
fourth since their emergence from a summer of intensive rehearsals and
the recording of an excellent debut album that combines the most
sophisticated elements of the old band with the drive and precision
raunch so sadly lacking in Bad Company (who, I believe, they could
ultimately render quite redundant if they proceed thoughtfully).
Boxer were not helped by being confronted with an audience that
summed up the legendary worst of Roundhouse folklore – inert to the
point of imitating gorgons.
On the other hand, the band should have realised that this was an
audience that needed seducing rather than confronting.
As it was, it was sometimes difficult to relate to the percussive
effect of such a constantly high-energy act. Particularly late on a cold
Sunday afternoon.
The set previewed the debut album material. By far the strongest
numbers were the most straightforward – the beautiful "More Than
Meets The Eye," one of the best songs Patto has written, and the
off-the-wall chord changes of "Save Me."
To a man, the band are excellent instrumentalists; corporately they
perform with the split-second-timing and corpulent power seldom found in
English bands. But in some cases their self-composed material raises
doubts about their taste. While the playing on such numbers as
"Shooting Star," "Luni Alli" and "California
Calling" is urgent and exciting, the essence of the material leaves
one with a sense of deja vu.
But, it should also be said that these minor teething troubles are
offset considerably by Patto’s much-improved vocal control and
projection and his convincing and often charmingly gauche stage presence
laced with high kicks, knee bends, etc.
Ay, ‘e’s a great little mover.. At least Boxer take risks –
which is more than can be said for Ace, the official Sunday night
Roundhouse bill-toppers…
Pete Erskine
Nitpicking: Only their 3rd LP, "Roll 'Em Smoke 'Em",
was on Island Records. Their first two LPs were on the Vertigo
label. "Luni Alli" is actually titled "Looni
Ali".
Note: This is an excerpt from the article - the text about
Ace has been omitted.
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