Chris Murphy & Boxer Genius profile picture

Chris Murphy & Boxer Genius

About Me

Chris Murphy & Boxer Genius are a five 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, Tommy R. Jones on piano, organ and vocals, 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 a great friend that Murphy met about a year or so later, "a true all-rounder".
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

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 06/10/2005
Band Website: www.chrismurphymusic.co.uk
Band Members: Chris Murphy - vocals, guitars, piano, harmonica / Richard Klonowski - lead guitar / Jav - bass, backing vocals / Dave Webb - drums, backing vocals /
Influences: A lot, among which are: Bob Dylan, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Neil Young, Led Zepplin, Nina Simone, Rufus Wainwright, REM, Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley, The Doors, Cream, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Richard Thompson, Nirvana, Guns N Roses, Bert Jansch, Richard Hawley, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Marillion, Queen, Talking Heads, The Police, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Bob Marley, Queens Of The Stone Age, Ryan Adams, Leonard Cohen, Jarvis Cocker, Cat Power, Crowded House, Sufjan Stevens, Adem, Anything at all by Abbeydale Breweries
Sounds Like: Folk/Indie/Rock
Record Label: None
Type of Label: Unsigned

My Blog

The Grapes, Sheffield, this Thurs... Yodelling (maybe)

Dear friends,I will be at The Grapes on Trippet Lane in Sheffield on Thursday (12th) playing a (fairly rare!) solo gig. If you can make it down that'd be marvellous. :-) It's quite cheapo on the door ...
Posted by on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:45:00 GMT

Happy Christmas

Hello all,Just a quick note to say have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year! Thanks for all the support you have shown us over the last 12 months - see you in January!CM & BG.X
Posted by on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:38:00 GMT

THANKING RUTH KNOWLES AND NEIL CARDEN

A MASSIVE thanks go to the two people in the header, Neil and Ruth for contributions to the album which were absent from the album inlay, Neil for his help on drum tracks and Ruth for her photography....
Posted by on Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:01:00 GMT

Chris Murphy feature in The Sheffield Star...

Hi everyone,I was in the Sheffield Star a week or so back, talking about the album and stuff, anyone who fancies a read, here's the link,,,http://www.thestar.co.uk/music/Taking-the-Chris.43914 34.jp?ar...
Posted by on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:01:00 GMT

Xfm

Hello ,Thanks to those of you that attended the Grapes for the single launch! Hope you're liking the CD!Have a gander at the following if you get a chance people, would be very appreciated!http://www....
Posted by on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 05:02:00 GMT

Single release and Bowiefest...

Hello everyone...A massive thanks to everyone that attended the Bowiefest gig on Sunday 6th at West Street Live, which was a great success, and MIGHTY busy! Jason of Bowie Contingent is a legend, as a...
Posted by on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:01:00 GMT