In terms of recording, we did it in a studio in Bath. And then we did some more in London with this guy Dimitri Tikovoï, who’s a French producer. Some of his musicians played on it too, like these twins from Paris called Val and Clem. Then there was my mate Tom Rowley, a long-term collaborator who was in Milburn originally but he plays with Arctic Monkeys now. Jamie Reynolds from The Klaxons, he did quite a bit of stuff. So we had a good cast of people, you know? Lies is a series of short films based on stories/poems written by Jon McClure. The films are part of the 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. 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 bass. 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 Strafford on trombone. Sanderson was dismissed in July 2006 after the band completed their first headline UK tour and replaced by Gledhill guitarist Tom Jarvis. An indie-techno blast combining sonic storm synths and foot stomping bludgeoning beats. At last Ladies and Gents, we present Reverend And The Makers.

The band released their sixth album on 22 September 2017, which debuted at Number 11 on the UK Albums Chart, their best performing album since their 2007 debut. It’s a feisty uplifting record set to send perplexed skinny tied kids into ferocious swing across the country. The Reverend, Jon McClure, has waited for the correct moment amongst a busy local scene to unleash this menace of a debut album- binding his time as the Arctic Monkeys phenomena settled down.I just want to get the album out there and get people hearing it. Normally if I’ve done an album… phew, gone. I was talking to Richard Hawley about this, you get this period of mourning when you’ve made an album. Normally for me, it’s like I’ve had a sh*t: it’s gone down the toilet, see ya later! I don’t sit around listening to Reverend and t’Makers, I’m not a wanker, do you know what I mean? But this one, thisone I have been a bit of a wanker! In the house listening to it and buzzing on it a bit. Like most music from the Steel City these days, we can’t escape the Arctic Monkeys link. Jon has previously been in two other bands, the first named Judan Suki along with Alex Turner. The Second – 1984 is referred to in the famous Monkeys lyrics “dancing to electro-pop like a robot from 1984” and “I bet you look good on the dance floor.” But despite these strong connections, this album is evidence of an added independent dimension to the Sheffield sound. The singles so far are definitely smooth and sexy as you say, and I don’t think anyone expected a song such as ‘High’ from you. Were you worried about how that would go down?

Of all the swagger lifting the peak of noughties UK indie, no one carried it better, louder, or more publicly than Reverend and the Makers’ Jon McClure. You mentioned some of the clichés you’ve been associated with, and you have been known for speaking your mind over the years, particularly about some of your peers. The Johnny Borrell one in The Guardiancomes to mind. Are you still as cutthroat and damning these days? I played two songs last summer at a couple of fezzies, ‘Heatwave’ and then the next single, ‘Problems’, that’s coming out at the end of this month. I’ve been doing this for twenty years now and I’ve never had that reaction – people singing it straight away and messaging me, “When’s that ‘Problems’ song coming out?” To get that reaction is such a buzz, it really is.Reverend Soundsystem is a side project made up of Jon (The Reverend) McClure, Marcus 'Matic Mouth' Smith, Laura McClure and Jimmy Welsh (Ocelot).