Like so many great bands, The Boxer Rebellion almost fell off the radar (never mind under it) due to being dropped from their label - Mercury Records - after poor sales of their first album. Instead of giving up, they decided to release another effort all by themselves. What we were given was a sophomore album which oozed emotion, scale and beauty. Union managed to come in at number 4 on the UK iTunes top 100 chart and number 2 on the alternative chart. Not bad for a DIY job. Still without a label, the group are embarking on a North American tour, and there's a third album on the way. Full details after the jump.

Down below you will be able to sample a new single from the group which will be featuring on the soundtrack to the forthcoming movie - "Going The Distance," and if you would like to reacquaint yourself with some of the groups fantastic tunes then check out the widget provided below. There is also a full list of dates for the upcoming tour. Although there are probably plenty of labels sniffing at these lads rear ends, they are still choosing to adopt a self-managed business method at the moment. This hasn't stopped them from attracting big names for studio sessions, as they are currently working at Peter Gabriel's incredible Real World Studios with Ethan Jones (produced for the likes of Kings Of Leon and Rufus Wainright) behind the glass.

The Boxer Rebellion North American Tour Dates 2010

09/21 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's ¹
09/22 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East ¹
09/23 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom ¹
09/24 - Washington DC @ Black Cat ¹
09/25 - New York, NY @ The Bell House ¹
09/27 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern ¹
09/28 - Pontiac, MI @ Clutch Cargo ¹
09/29 - Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle ¹
09/30 - Madison, WI @ Annex ¹
10/01 - Minneapolis, MN - The Entry
10/02 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile ¹
10/05 - Portland, OR @ Berbati's Pan ¹
10/07 - San Francisco, CA @ Popscene ¹
10/08 - Los Angeles, CA @ FILTER Culture Collide
10/10 - Los Angeles, CA @ FILTER Culture Collide
10/12 - Maryville, TN @ The Clayton Center Auditorium
10/14 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl

¹ = w / Amusement Parks on Fire