Boxer

The Profile

Boxer were an English rock band formed in 1975 by singer Mike Patto and guitarist/keyboardist Ollie Halsall. They shifted from the adventurous Patto sound toward tighter pub rock, releasing Below The Belt (1975), Absolutely (1977), and the posthumous Bloodletting (recorded 1976; released 1979).

Core members: Mike Patto (vocals) and Ollie Halsall (guitar, keyboards), with Tony Newman (drums) and Keith Ellis (bass) in the original lineup. Albums: Below The Belt (1975), Absolutely (1977), Bloodletting (recorded 1976, released 1979). Mike Patto died in 1979; Keith Ellis died in 1978.

DeBaser’s two reviews focus on Boxer’s debut Below The Belt and the posthumous Bloodletting. The writeups praise Mike Patto’s voice and Ollie Halsall’s flashes of brilliance while noting the band’s shift to more accessible pub rock. There’s detail on the infamous debut cover, the 1976 recordings behind Bloodletting, and standout covers like Hey Bulldog and Teachers. Overall sentiment is warm, admiring, and a bit rueful.