Reverend and The Makers
Encyclopedia
Reverend and The Makers are an indie pop band based in Sheffield
, England
and signed to Wall of Sound
. The band is fronted by Jon McClure
, nicknamed "The Reverend". The band has gained success through top ten hit "Heavyweight Champion of the World
" from their first album The State of Things (2007) and also through supporting Oasis
on their last ever tour
following their second studio album, A French Kiss in the Chaos (2009).
). The rest of The Makers consisted of Dave Sanderson (guitars), Joe Moskow (keyboards
), Richy Westley (drums, formerly of Hoggboy) and Laura Manuel (vocals
), and occasionally Simon Stafford on trombone. Sanderson was dismissed in July 2006 after the band completed their first headline UK tour and replaced by Gledhill guitarist Tom Jarvis.
Late in 2005, fellow Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys
released their debut single, and McClure was hounded by major record labels, reportedly offering him sums of up to £150,000 to make an album like Arctic Monkeys . McClure declined the offer, and decided to do everything his own way, managing to sell out The Plug in Sheffield twice, a venue with a capacity of 1,000 people, while still unsigned. It was not until the following year that McClure met Mark Jones in a club in London when he asked him for a lighter. The two got talking and Mark Jones came to see Reverend and the Makers at the next show. Jones reportedly proclaimed the band as the "best band in the world" and signed them to his label Wall of Sound Records.
Reverend and The Makers released a 9-track demo in 2006, entitled "Ten Songs". The artwork included a tracklist with ten songs, track 10 being "Paris at Night". However this song was not made available for download; it only surfaced on the internet in August 2007. The demos were recorded at 2Fly Studios, and produced by Alan Smyth
, McClure acknowledges the work Smyth put into the demos by accrediting the debut single; "Heavyweight Champion of The World" as McClure/Cosens/Smyth. Reverend and the Makers' music is a mix of indie guitar pop, electronica
and a touch of Madchester
-esque funk. Some of the internet demos feature members of other notable Sheffield musicians such as Alex Turner
(Arctic Monkeys
), Tim Hampton (Bromheads Jacket
) and Mike Hughes (Little Ze). One of Reverend's inspirations is Manchester
performance poet John Cooper Clarke
and Reverend often performs his own poems, of a similar style, in between songs during his live sets. One of the B-sides to the debut single "Heavyweight Champion of the World" is a poem entitled "Last Resort" in which John Cooper Clarke and McClure read alternate stanzas. This poem was also duetted live when the band played live at Shoreditch's Spread Eagle in the first tour in May 2006.
In April 2006, Reverend and The Makers were support to the Arctic Monkeys
on their sold out UK tour, exposing the band to larger audiences and bigger venues. This was followed by their own first UK tour in May and June, selling-out dates in Shoreditch
, London
and The Plug in home-town Sheffield
on the final night. A second tour followed in October 2006, showing great progression as a band. The sound was much tighter and far more advanced than on their previous tour.
, Carling Weekend, T in the Park
and T4 on the Beach
as well as supporting the Red Hot Chili Peppers
at Hampden Park
, Glasgow
. In January 2008, Reverend and The Makers toured Australia
.
Their first release was "Heavyweight Champion Of The World
" on 28 May 2007 and featured the B-Sides "18–30" and "The Last Resort" featuring John Cooper Clarke. The single takes its name from a line in A Kestrel for a Knave
a novel by Barry Hines
and a favourite book of McClure. The single is available on both CD and 7" vinyl formats, including a limited edition "White Vinyl" release. The single was released for download on 6 May and reached #38 in the UK single chart on download only. The album, entitled The State Of Things, was recorded over the Christmas period and was released on Wall of Sound on 17 September 2007. The album features songs co-written and performed with Alex Turner
of Arctic Monkeys
and one track co-written and with guest vocals from Tim Hampton of Bromheads Jacket
, other tracks include vocals by Steve Edwards
.
joked of their delight at the band's split at live shows on their tour at the time, as can be heard on their live album Last Night I Saved Her From Vampires
. McClure has a new project, Mongrel, with a single "Hit From the Morning Sun" due to be released in February 2009.
), Rowley was already a good friend of McClure, and contributed to the first album by co-writing the tracks "Bandits" and "Miss Brown".
The band supported Oasis, along with Kasabian and The Enemy
for their sold out summer tour in 2009. The band released their follow up to 2007's The State of Things, with A French Kiss in the Chaos. The album was released in June and the opening single, "Silence Is Talking" was featured during the band's three night run at Wembley Stadium
. The band released a second single, "No Soap (in a Dirty War)" in October.
McClure was in the media spotlight for his personal views in July 2009, after an interview in which he commented on Jade Goody
's death earlier in the year; "it's sad she died and it's good more girls are getting smear tests but let's not forget she was a talentless racist".
He has also been in the media recently speaking out about the UK's involvement in the Iraq War, requesting that fellow musicians, particularly the Arctic Monkeys, his contemporaries from Sheffield, focus on real issues and to "not write songs about girls at bus stops any more like me and Monkeys used to do, let's start talking about what's happening man as otherwise you know where we gonna go, we're going down the toilet aren't we?".
In December, it was announced via McClure's twitter that Andy Nicholson, his fellow member in Mongrel and ex-Arctic Monkeys
bassist would join the band for their third album. NME published the story on its website soon after.
However, McClure announced via his Twitter in July 2011 that "the recording of the Reverend and The Makers 3rd album is underway".
In August 2011, the band posted a new track called "Riot" on their YouTube page, in response to the 2011 England Riots
.
" and a cover of Kelis
's "Trick Me" on Radio 1's Live Lounge with Jo Whiley
. In October 2007, supported by The Ting Tings
, they made a tour of universities in the UK. Former Arctic Monkeys
's bassist Andy Nicholson made guest appearances to play bass for a couple of songs. On 8 December 2007 they supported Ian Brown
on the final leg of his tour, and supported The Verve
on 11 and 13 December. They also supported in Dublin on 28 October in the Big Top venue in the Phoenix Park.
On 12 February 2008 they performed on Lily Allen
's talk show Lily Allen and Friends
. In March 2008 the band released an EP consisting of three remixes of "Sundown On The Empire", three for the track "18–30" and one for "The Machine" for a total of seven tracks. On 26 July 2009, they played in their home city of Sheffield, closing the Tramlines Festival
with an 80 minute gig.
In the summer of 2009 they have supported Oasis
on the largest stadium tour in the UK and Ireland. On 1 September 2009, they performed a secret free gig at Tate Modern
, London
. They were introduced by Sara Cox
and supported by Stornoway
. The gig was to celebrate the launch of new climate change
campaign—"10:10". In November 2009, the band will be supporting Kasabian on their nationwide tour. For the past 2 years, the band have played New Years Eve shows at KOKO in Camden, London.
, and has also hosted one event at Manchester's Po Na Na. The Soundsystem has featured a number of guest DJs such as Mani
(The Stone Roses
/Primal Scream
), Peter Hook
(New Order
), the late Tony Wilson
(Factory Records
), Andy Nicholson (ex-Arctic Monkeys
), Chris McClure (face of the Arctic Monkeys
debut album cover (Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
) and brother of Jon), Terry Hall
(The Specials
), Milburn
, Bez and Arctic Monkeys
as well as live performances from The Sunshine Underground
, Gas Club
, Stoney
, 747s, The Hosts and White Rose Movement
. The event no longer takes place at The Plug.
". The mixtape features songs from Cymande, Pixeltan, The Clash and Love. The CD opens with an alternative version of "The Last Resort" which only features McClure's verses and has a synth backing.
festival in Sheffield along with Matt Helders
from Arctic Monkeys
and Toddla T
.
is a side project made up of Jon(The Reverend)McClure, Matic Mouth, Laura McClure and Jimmy Welsh (Ocelot).
Reverend Soundsystem is currently on tour as part of the university fresher’s Boxfresh clothing tour, alongside Ocelot.
Film Maker: Hesky Tucker
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and signed to Wall of Sound
Wall of Sound (record label)
Wall of Sound is an independent record label based in London, England. It is part of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group, a European independent music company....
. The band is fronted by Jon McClure
Jon McClure
Jon McClure, known as the Reverend, is lead singer and frontman of Reverend and The Makers and ex-vocalist of 1984 and Judan Suki. He claims that the name "Reverend" became his moniker because "I'm a big mouth and always running on at people"....
, nicknamed "The Reverend". The band has gained success through top ten hit "Heavyweight Champion of the World
Heavyweight Champion of the World
"Heavyweight Champion of the World" is the "top ten" debut single by Reverend and The Makers, as well as the first single from their debut album The State Of Things. The single was released on May 6, 2007 on download only and was subsequently released on CD and 7" vinyl on May 28 that year...
" from their first album The State of Things (2007) and also through supporting Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
on their last ever tour
Dig Out Your Soul Tour
The Dig Out Your Soul Tour was a world concert tour by English rock band Oasis, in support of their album Dig Out Your Soul. The tour started in Seattle, WA at the WaMu Theater and was planned to continue until 30 August, where they were scheduled to play their final show of the tour at the I-Day...
following their second studio album, A French Kiss in the Chaos (2009).
Early years
In late 2005, McClure brought several musicians together for Reverend and The Makers. Like his previous bands, The Makers included co-songwriter Ed Cosens, this time playing (bassBass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
). The rest of The Makers consisted of Dave Sanderson (guitars), Joe Moskow (keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
), Richy Westley (drums, formerly of Hoggboy) and Laura Manuel (vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
), and occasionally Simon Stafford on trombone. Sanderson was dismissed in July 2006 after the band completed their first headline UK tour and replaced by Gledhill guitarist Tom Jarvis.
Late in 2005, fellow Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
released their debut single, and McClure was hounded by major record labels, reportedly offering him sums of up to £150,000 to make an album like Arctic Monkeys . McClure declined the offer, and decided to do everything his own way, managing to sell out The Plug in Sheffield twice, a venue with a capacity of 1,000 people, while still unsigned. It was not until the following year that McClure met Mark Jones in a club in London when he asked him for a lighter. The two got talking and Mark Jones came to see Reverend and the Makers at the next show. Jones reportedly proclaimed the band as the "best band in the world" and signed them to his label Wall of Sound Records.
Reverend and The Makers released a 9-track demo in 2006, entitled "Ten Songs". The artwork included a tracklist with ten songs, track 10 being "Paris at Night". However this song was not made available for download; it only surfaced on the internet in August 2007. The demos were recorded at 2Fly Studios, and produced by Alan Smyth
Alan Smyth
Alan Smyth is a music producer from Sheffield, England. He has worked with a number of bands, including Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Reverend and The Makers, The Long Blondes, Milburn, Richard Hawley, Dead Like Harry, Smokers Die Younger, Monkey Swallows the Universe, Little Man Tate, 65daysofstatic,...
, McClure acknowledges the work Smyth put into the demos by accrediting the debut single; "Heavyweight Champion of The World" as McClure/Cosens/Smyth. Reverend and the Makers' music is a mix of indie guitar pop, electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
and a touch of Madchester
Madchester
Madchester was a music scene that developed in Manchester, England, towards the end of the 1980s and into the early 1990s. The music that emerged from the scene mixed alternative rock, psychedelic rock and dance music...
-esque funk. Some of the internet demos feature members of other notable Sheffield musicians such as Alex Turner
Alex Turner (musician)
Alexander David Turner is an English musician, best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and main songwriter of the English rock band Arctic Monkeys...
(Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
), Tim Hampton (Bromheads Jacket
Bromheads Jacket
Bromheads are a two-piece English garage rock band originating from Sheffield, England-History:Bromheads was formed in Sheffield in 2005, from the ashes of a band called Fixated. Although often compared to other Sheffield bands who found fame around the same time, such as Arctic Monkeys and...
) and Mike Hughes (Little Ze). One of Reverend's inspirations is Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
performance poet John Cooper Clarke
John Cooper Clarke
John Cooper Clarke is an English performance poet who first became famous during the punk rock era of the late 1970s when he became known as a "punk poet"...
and Reverend often performs his own poems, of a similar style, in between songs during his live sets. One of the B-sides to the debut single "Heavyweight Champion of the World" is a poem entitled "Last Resort" in which John Cooper Clarke and McClure read alternate stanzas. This poem was also duetted live when the band played live at Shoreditch's Spread Eagle in the first tour in May 2006.
In April 2006, Reverend and The Makers were support to the Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
on their sold out UK tour, exposing the band to larger audiences and bigger venues. This was followed by their own first UK tour in May and June, selling-out dates in Shoreditch
Shoreditch
Shoreditch is an area of London within the London Borough of Hackney in England. It is a built-up part of the inner city immediately to the north of the City of London, located east-northeast of Charing Cross.-Etymology:...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and The Plug in home-town Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
on the final night. A second tour followed in October 2006, showing great progression as a band. The sound was much tighter and far more advanced than on their previous tour.
Debut album, The State Of Things, and breakthrough (2007–08)
In 2008, Reverend and The Makers set a date for their first release and undertook a UK tour, including several festivals over the summer period including Glastonbury FestivalGlastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
, Carling Weekend, T in the Park
T in the Park
T in the Park is a major British music festival that has been held annually since 1994. It is named after its main sponsor, the brewing company Tennents. It was originally held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire but since 1997 has been held at a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire...
and T4 on the Beach
T4 on the Beach
T4 On The Beach is a British one day music event which is held on the beach at Weston-super-Mare and televised for Channel 4. The event began in 2003 as Pop Beach in Great Yarmouth, changing to the current title and venue in 2005....
as well as supporting the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. In January 2008, Reverend and The Makers toured Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Their first release was "Heavyweight Champion Of The World
Heavyweight Champion of the World
"Heavyweight Champion of the World" is the "top ten" debut single by Reverend and The Makers, as well as the first single from their debut album The State Of Things. The single was released on May 6, 2007 on download only and was subsequently released on CD and 7" vinyl on May 28 that year...
" on 28 May 2007 and featured the B-Sides "18–30" and "The Last Resort" featuring John Cooper Clarke. The single takes its name from a line in A Kestrel for a Knave
A Kestrel for a Knave
A Kestrel for a Knave is a novel by British author Barry Hines, published in 1968. It is set in Barnsley, South Yorkshire and tells of Billy Casper, a young working class boy troubled at home and at school, who only finds solace when he finds and trains a kestrel whom he names "Kes".The book was...
a novel by Barry Hines
Barry Hines
Melvin Barry Hines, FRSL is a British author who has written several popular novels and television scripts.-Early life:Born in the mining village of Hoyland Common near Barnsley, England, he attended Ecclesfield Grammar School and played football for the England Grammar Schools team...
and a favourite book of McClure. The single is available on both CD and 7" vinyl formats, including a limited edition "White Vinyl" release. The single was released for download on 6 May and reached #38 in the UK single chart on download only. The album, entitled The State Of Things, was recorded over the Christmas period and was released on Wall of Sound on 17 September 2007. The album features songs co-written and performed with Alex Turner
Alex Turner (musician)
Alexander David Turner is an English musician, best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and main songwriter of the English rock band Arctic Monkeys...
of Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
and one track co-written and with guest vocals from Tim Hampton of Bromheads Jacket
Bromheads Jacket
Bromheads are a two-piece English garage rock band originating from Sheffield, England-History:Bromheads was formed in Sheffield in 2005, from the ashes of a band called Fixated. Although often compared to other Sheffield bands who found fame around the same time, such as Arctic Monkeys and...
, other tracks include vocals by Steve Edwards
Steve Edwards (singer)
Steve Edwards is a male house music singer/songwriter from Sheffield, England. He has collaborated with several house music producers.-Career:...
.
Split rumours (2008)
In June 2008, drummer Richy Westley left the group and in August 2008, frontman Jon McClure said he would quit music after their next album, although a month later he changed his mind. The inconsistency of McClure's actions has led many critics in the music press to report negatively towards the move. Welsh band Future Of The LeftFuture of the Left
Future of the Left are an alternative rock group based in Cardiff, Wales.- Beginnings :Future of the Left were formed by singer/guitarist Andy "Falco" Falkous and drummer Jack Egglestone, both previously of Cardiff band mclusky, alongside singer/bassist Kelson Mathias, formerly of the...
joked of their delight at the band's split at live shows on their tour at the time, as can be heard on their live album Last Night I Saved Her From Vampires
Last Night I Saved Her From Vampires
Last Night I Saved Her From Vampires is a live album by the Welsh band Future of the Left. It was recorded in Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach and London Water Rats in August 2008...
. McClure has a new project, Mongrel, with a single "Hit From the Morning Sun" due to be released in February 2009.
Second album, A French Kiss In The Chaos (2009–10)
Early 2009, it was announced that Tom Jarvis has left the band, and has been replaced by Tom Rowley (ex-MilburnMilburn (band)
Milburn was an indie rock band from Sheffield, England that consisted of Joe Carnall, Louis Carnall, Tom Rowley, and Joe Green. They announced they would split on 28 March 2008, with the band playing their final gig at Sheffield's Carling Academy on 24 May 2008.-Formation:Milburn's formation came...
), Rowley was already a good friend of McClure, and contributed to the first album by co-writing the tracks "Bandits" and "Miss Brown".
The band supported Oasis, along with Kasabian and The Enemy
The Enemy (UK band)
The Enemy are an English rock band formed in Coventry in 2006, signed to Warner Music Group . In June 2007, The Enemy played twice at Glastonbury Festival, first in the 'Guardian Lounge' on Saturday and then the much larger 'Other Stage' on Sunday. They also headlined on the Saturday night of T in...
for their sold out summer tour in 2009. The band released their follow up to 2007's The State of Things, with A French Kiss in the Chaos. The album was released in June and the opening single, "Silence Is Talking" was featured during the band's three night run at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. The band released a second single, "No Soap (in a Dirty War)" in October.
McClure was in the media spotlight for his personal views in July 2009, after an interview in which he commented on Jade Goody
Jade Goody
Jade Cerisa Lorraine Goody was an English celebrity. She came into the public spotlight while appearing on the third series of the Channel 4 reality TV programme Big Brother in 2002, an appearance which led to her own television programmes and the launch of her own products after her eviction from...
's death earlier in the year; "it's sad she died and it's good more girls are getting smear tests but let's not forget she was a talentless racist".
He has also been in the media recently speaking out about the UK's involvement in the Iraq War, requesting that fellow musicians, particularly the Arctic Monkeys, his contemporaries from Sheffield, focus on real issues and to "not write songs about girls at bus stops any more like me and Monkeys used to do, let's start talking about what's happening man as otherwise you know where we gonna go, we're going down the toilet aren't we?".
In December, it was announced via McClure's twitter that Andy Nicholson, his fellow member in Mongrel and ex-Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
bassist would join the band for their third album. NME published the story on its website soon after.
Hiatus and third album (2010–)
On 11 November 2010, in an interview with the South Yorkshire Star, McClure claimed the band were on an indefinite hiatus. "I don't know if we're going to do anything else or anything more as a group. We are disbanded at the moment, we're not gigging or practising". "I could trot out another three 'Heavyweight Champions Of The World' but I don't want to. I have made a bit of money and all the people in the band have made a bit of money. We want to change what we do, rather than trotting out more of what we did on the first album".However, McClure announced via his Twitter in July 2011 that "the recording of the Reverend and The Makers 3rd album is underway".
In August 2011, the band posted a new track called "Riot" on their YouTube page, in response to the 2011 England Riots
2011 England riots
Between 6 and 10 August 2011, several London boroughs and districts of cities and towns across England suffered widespread rioting, looting and arson....
.
Tours
On 30 April 2007 Reverend and The Makers performed "Heavyweight Champion Of The WorldHeavyweight Champion of the World
"Heavyweight Champion of the World" is the "top ten" debut single by Reverend and The Makers, as well as the first single from their debut album The State Of Things. The single was released on May 6, 2007 on download only and was subsequently released on CD and 7" vinyl on May 28 that year...
" and a cover of Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
's "Trick Me" on Radio 1's Live Lounge with Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley
Johanne "Jo" Whiley is a British radio disc jockey and television presenter. She was the host of the long running weekday Jo Whiley Show on Radio 1.-Early life and education:...
. In October 2007, supported by The Ting Tings
The Ting Tings
The Ting Tings are an English music duo comprising Jules de Martino and Katie White . They formed in December 2007 while based at Islington Mill Studios in Salford...
, they made a tour of universities in the UK. Former Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
's bassist Andy Nicholson made guest appearances to play bass for a couple of songs. On 8 December 2007 they supported Ian Brown
Ian Brown
Ian George Brown is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses, which broke up in 1996 but are confirmed to reunite in 2012. Since the break-up of the Stone Roses he has pursued a solo career...
on the final leg of his tour, and supported The Verve
The Verve
The Verve were an English rock band formed in 1989 in Wigan by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones, and drummer Peter Salisbury. Guitarist and keyboardist Simon Tong later became a member. Beginning with a psychedelic sound indebted to shoegazing and space...
on 11 and 13 December. They also supported in Dublin on 28 October in the Big Top venue in the Phoenix Park.
On 12 February 2008 they performed on Lily Allen
Lily Allen
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
's talk show Lily Allen and Friends
Lily Allen and Friends
Lily Allen and Friends is a British TV talk show presented by Lily Allen. The programme is produced by Princess Productions for BBC Three. It was first shown on 12 February 2008. The audience consists entirely of Lily's online friends, who sign up via the programme's website...
. In March 2008 the band released an EP consisting of three remixes of "Sundown On The Empire", three for the track "18–30" and one for "The Machine" for a total of seven tracks. On 26 July 2009, they played in their home city of Sheffield, closing the Tramlines Festival
Tramlines Festival
The Tramlines Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Sheffield. The festival is free to attend, and the lineup consists of national and local artists. The festival is curated and organised by a panel comprising local venue owners, promoters and volunteers. The name of the...
with an 80 minute gig.
In the summer of 2009 they have supported Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
on the largest stadium tour in the UK and Ireland. On 1 September 2009, they performed a secret free gig at Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern is a modern art gallery located in London, England. It is Britain's national gallery of international modern art and forms part of the Tate group . It is the most-visited modern art gallery in the world, with around 4.7 million visitors per year...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. They were introduced by Sara Cox
Sara Cox
Sara Cox , known as "Coxy", is an English TV presenter and radio DJ, most well known for presenting the breakfast show on BBC Radio 1 between 2000 and 2003...
and supported by Stornoway
Stornoway (band)
Stornoway is a British alternative indie folk band from the Cowley area of Oxford. It consists of singer and guitarist Brian Briggs; multi-instrumentalists Jon Ouin and Oli Steadman, and the latter's brother Rob on drums. The band is usually joined by trumpeter Adam Briggs and violinist Rahul Satija...
. The gig was to celebrate the launch of new climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
campaign—"10:10". In November 2009, the band will be supporting Kasabian on their nationwide tour. For the past 2 years, the band have played New Years Eve shows at KOKO in Camden, London.
Reverend Soundsystem Club Nights
Reverend hosted a monthly clubnight on the first Saturday of every month named "Reverend Soundsystem" at The Plug in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, and has also hosted one event at Manchester's Po Na Na. The Soundsystem has featured a number of guest DJs such as Mani
Gary Mounfield
Gary Manny "Mani" Mounfield , is an English rock bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. He has a distinctive playing style that combines a fast moving rock style with a dance rhythm or dub groove...
(The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
/Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
), Peter Hook
Peter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
(New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
), the late Tony Wilson
Tony Wilson
Anthony Howard Wilson, commonly known as Tony Wilson , was an English record label owner, radio presenter, TV show host, nightclub manager, impresario and journalist for Granada Television and the BBC....
(Factory Records
Factory Records
Factory Records was a Manchester based British independent record label, started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, which featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Happy Mondays, Northside and James and...
), Andy Nicholson (ex-Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
), Chris McClure (face of the Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
debut album cover (Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not is the debut album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 23 January 2006. The album became the UK's fastest selling debut album, shifting over 360,000 copies in its first week, and remains the fastest selling debut album by a band. It...
) and brother of Jon), Terry Hall
Terry Hall (singer)
Terry Hall is the lead singer of The Specials, and formerly of Fun Boy Three, The Colourfield, Terry, Blair & Anouchka and Vegas. He has released two solo albums and has also collaborated with many artists including David A...
(The Specials
The Specials
The Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
), Milburn
Milburn (band)
Milburn was an indie rock band from Sheffield, England that consisted of Joe Carnall, Louis Carnall, Tom Rowley, and Joe Green. They announced they would split on 28 March 2008, with the band playing their final gig at Sheffield's Carling Academy on 24 May 2008.-Formation:Milburn's formation came...
, Bez and Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
as well as live performances from The Sunshine Underground
The Sunshine Underground
The Sunshine Underground are an English, Leeds based indie rock band. The Sunshine Underground play a variety of punk, funk and indie, featured on their debut album, Raise the Alarm, released by City Rockers on August 28, 2006...
, Gas Club
Gas Club
Gas Club were a four-piece indie band from Sheffield, England and formed in 2005. Taking their name from Malin Bridge Sports and Social Club at the bottom of Stannington Road....
, Stoney
Stoney (musician)
Stoney is a British musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Career:Stoney first appeared on the UK music scene following the release of his debut inventive and homegrown-style album Amber in 2001...
, 747s, The Hosts and White Rose Movement
White Rose Movement (band)
White Rose Movement were a post-punk/electro band from London, England. The band is named after the German anti-Nazi resistance movement White Rose...
. The event no longer takes place at The Plug.
Reverend Mixtape
At the Leadmill venue in Sheffield on 27 May 2007, approximately 200 CDs entitled And Whilst the World Was Asleep We Were Listening To... were handed out to the fans. It was reported that more copies would be available later in the year in independent record shops. The cover featured a poem by McClure on the back "Just Like His Dad" which is a b-side to the single "He Said He Loved MeHe Said He Loved Me
"He Said He Loved Me" is the second single by Reverend and The Makers, from their debut album The State of Things. The song features Jon McClure and Laura Manuel on lead vocals...
". The mixtape features songs from Cymande, Pixeltan, The Clash and Love. The CD opens with an alternative version of "The Last Resort" which only features McClure's verses and has a synth backing.
For the fans
Jon McClure puts on an acoustic gig in the car park of most venues. These sets normally last between 30–45 minutes and this is the type of thing that McClure is becoming synonymous with amongst his fans. He also invited fans to a "backing singer evening" to help record vocals on an upcoming single. He is heavily involved in the Instigate Debate group, and offers to carry out private gigs in fans homes to anyone who contributes. On 13 May 2009, it was revealed that McClure was going to be one of the curators of the new TramlinesTramlines Festival
The Tramlines Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Sheffield. The festival is free to attend, and the lineup consists of national and local artists. The festival is curated and organised by a panel comprising local venue owners, promoters and volunteers. The name of the...
festival in Sheffield along with Matt Helders
Matt Helders
Matthew Helders , is the drummer for English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. He is the most comprehensive backing vocalist in the group, appearing on several tracks, including the majority of 'Humbug'...
from Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
and Toddla T
Toddla T
Toddla T is the stage name of Thomas Mackenzie Bell – a DJ, record producer, re-mixer and composer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.- Biography :Toddla T, born 22 February 1985, was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School...
.
Reverend Soundsystem (RSS)
Reverend SoundsystemReverend Soundsystem
Reverend Soundsystem or RSS are an English 'indiestep' band that formed in Sheffield in 2010. The band's vocalist Jon McClure had been playing under the Reverend Soundsystem pseudonym for some time in between Reverend and The Makers albums, and he recruited his Makers-bandmate and wife Laura...
is a side project made up of Jon(The Reverend)McClure, Matic Mouth, Laura McClure and Jimmy Welsh (Ocelot).
Reverend Soundsystem is currently on tour as part of the university fresher’s Boxfresh clothing tour, alongside Ocelot.
LIES
Lies is a series of short films based on story’s/poems written by Jon McClure. The films are part of local independent film production, Kestrel Filmworks with sponsorship from Boxfresh. Lies is a tongue in cheek look at Lies told to Jon and his brother Chris throughout their childhood. In total there are six films.Film Maker: Hesky Tucker
Albums
- The State of Things (17 September 2007) UK #5
- A French Kiss in the Chaos (27 July 2009) UK #19
Singles
- "Heavyweight Champion of the WorldHeavyweight Champion of the World"Heavyweight Champion of the World" is the "top ten" debut single by Reverend and The Makers, as well as the first single from their debut album The State Of Things. The single was released on May 6, 2007 on download only and was subsequently released on CD and 7" vinyl on May 28 that year...
" (28 May 2007) UK #8, UK IndieUK Indie ChartThe UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
#1 - "He Said He Loved MeHe Said He Loved Me"He Said He Loved Me" is the second single by Reverend and The Makers, from their debut album The State of Things. The song features Jon McClure and Laura Manuel on lead vocals...
" (3 September 2007) UK #16, UK Indie #1 - "Open Your WindowOpen Your Window"Open Your Window" is the third single by Reverend and The Makers, from their debut album The State of Things.The song also features on FIFA 09.-Tracklisting:*7": * A. "Open Your Window"* B. "Dear Lydia"* CD:...
" (19 November 2007) UK #65, UK Indie #1 - "Sundown On the Empire / 18-30 / The Machine - RemixesSundown On the Empire / 18-30 / The Machine - Remixes"Sundown On the Empire / 18-30 / The Machine - Remixes" is an EP of remixes from Reverend and the Makers debut album The State of Things. The EP was available to buy on 7" and 12" vinyl and as a download package from iTunes.-Download:...
" (16 March 2008) - "Silence Is Talking" (13 July 2009) UK #14 UK Indie #1
- "No Soap (In A Dirty War)" (14 September 2009) UK #84 UK Indie #3
Other releases
- And Whilst the World Was Asleep We Were Listening To... limited edition CD Mixtape (27 May 2007)
- 'Ten Songs (Demo EP)