THE BOXER REBELLION

For a relatively unknown band, the Boxer Rebellion have weathered quite a bit of drama since their 2001 formation. Tennessee native Nathan Nicholson relocated to London after his mother’s death, assembling a band with Australian guitarist Todd Howe and British drummer Piers Hewitt. After adding bassist Adam Harrison, the band retooled its music and emerged with more standard-sounding indie-rock songs as the Boxer Rebellion. Their 2003 debut EP netted them gigs with the Killers and the Raveonettes, but Nicholson's burst appendix nearly ended the band and his life. Their first full-length, Exits, came out in the spring of 2005; two weeks later, their label collapsed, and they have remained unsigned ever since. The band’s 2009 follow-up, Union, led to musical spots on Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, and other TV shows. Their third album, The Cold Still, was released a year ago, but they postponed their inaugural U.S. tour because of a “personal tragedy.” They finally make it to town this week. With Canon Blue. 8 p.m. Tickets: $14, $12 in advance. – Brian Baker