Chris Murphy & Boxer Genius

Chris Murphy & Boxer Genius are a four piece band based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire that have got something beautiful to share. The band, formed by Murphy, have developed a powereful, epic, folk-rock sound that has arrested the attention of the city and surrounding areas to the fact that current indie rock has a major successor in-waiting.



Murphy is coy about his songwriting abilities - and it's a clear distinction to the common sound of much of the charts. He conceded in a Sheffield Star interview in August that "It's sad fact that there is still a lot of stuff in the UK that sounds like it's been cut from the same cloth. I don't really want to be a part of that."



The band comprises Murphy on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano and harmonica, Richard Klonowski on lead guitar, Jav on bass guitar and Dave Webb on drums and percussion.



The genesis of the band goes back to 2004 when Klonowski and Jav were recording Murphy's first solo album 'Passions of The Wise' at Red Tape Studios in Sheffield. "It just seemed peculiar that two great musicians, interested as they were from an engineering and recording perspective - were not contributing parts to the album or a live sound - I was delighted when they agreed to the idea of coming along with me". Drummer Dave Webb was recruited through an advert and the "frankly ridiculously good skinsman" has become a solid feature of the band since he first performed on 'Back to Optimistic' and 'Worthier' during the course of the album. "He's the perfect drummer" says Murphy "he's even a bit mental". Tommy R. Jones was an additional member for a period of a year; "a true all-rounder" who helped a great deal on the most recent album.



After toying with the lightweight 'The Greenlovers' name for the band, Murphy decided to shake up the competition with a tougher moniker 'Boxer Genius' - inspired by the former three-time world heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali.



So what next?



Fantastic feedback has always followed the band around and following in the wake of the single 'Brighton' released in February, and the newly released album 'Another Reunion' it seems the band is finally on it's way. With a full-bodied, beautiful, honest and sweeping sound it's little wonder that the City's Exposed magazine called them "ridiculously accomplished".



The album 'Another Reunion', featuring 'Brighton' is available now on iTunes and will be available in CD format at the beginning of September in selected shops/at gigs.



What they say:



"Ridiculously accomplished" - Exposed Magazine

"Maker of epic songs and muscular ballads'' - Sheffield Star