Now, a band would typically release an album before heading on tour, but the Yorkshireman and his musicians aren’t the conventional types. Not to mention the fact that, in an impressive unbroken run, each of their albums have reached the Top 20 in the UK album charts. With sing-along rousing lyrics, dazzling percussion and sun-drenched guitars, this is anthemic and optimistic and McClure’s tone is warm and gorgeous. It feels nostalgic, but still at the same time fresh and contemporary. 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". [9]

You’ve made albums in the likes of Jamaica and Thailand before, but tell us about the scene and setting of Heatwave In The Cold North. In June 2008, drummer Richy Westley left the group to form his own band Strange and Partners. In August 2008 frontman Jon McClure said he would quit music after their next album, [5] although a month later he changed his mind. [6] The inconsistency of McClure's actions has led many critics in the music press to report negatively towards the move. [ citation needed] Welsh band Future of the Left 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. [7] McClure has a new project, Mongrel, with a single "Hit from the Morning Sun" due to be released in February 2009. [8] A French Kiss in the Chaos (2009–2010) [ edit ] Even writing about dumb things, you know what I mean? Stuff that feels so obvious that I couldn’t write a song about that. So smoking weed and shagging are my favourite things to do. Do you know what I mean? I read an interview with Killer Mike from Run The Jewells and he was like, “if I’m honest with ya, I just really fancy my wife, I think she’s reyt fit and I love smoking weed and hanging out with my kids”. That’s really relatable, I feel like that too! I think when it comes from a really heartfelt place, that’s what I like doing, that’s my vibe. I can’t just say “Love you baby”, it’s gotta be specific in some way. I’ve often quite overlooked those basic things. 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. [21] They were introduced by Sara Cox and supported by Stornoway. [22] The gig was to celebrate the launch of new climate change campaign—"10:10". [23] In November 2009, the band supported Kasabian on their nationwide tour. For the past 2 years, the band have played New Year's Eve shows at KOKO in Camden, London. In 2012 Mark Rooker, GB's Operations Director for the World Traditional Karate Association approached McClure for permission to use " Heavyweight Champion Of The World" as the official song for the first ever unified European Open Championship of Martial Art at The Ponds Forge International Sports Center in his hometown of Sheffield, on 18 August. McClure agreed and the WTKA have continued to use the tune ever since [24] Reverend Soundsystem club nights [ edit ]

Heatwave In The Cold North

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. 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. The commander asked and Rev’s Army’ dutifully obliged. It’s impossible not to when they’re bringing out ‘banger after banger’. The Manchester gig forms part of the Sheffield band’s first live tour in four years. Formed in 2005, Jon McClure and his collective of musicians burst onto the scene with their top five charting debut album, The State of Things.

From giving reflective life lessons to his 21 year-old self like “To tell ya not let such fears / Dominate any o’ ya bestest years” to the more candid advice “Take care that your friends and peers / Don’t get near with the bags of gear…”, ‘A Letter To My 21 Year Old Self’ is poignant, introspective and highly personal. Lines like ‘Maybe be kinder to yourself and know your worth’ will resonate with everyone – I know it does for me. MSN Entertainment UK - Latest Celebrity News, Gossip, Photos & Videos". msn.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009 . Retrieved 26 August 2009. 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. A lot of ageing, northern male indie starts to do that same melody… Everyone, fellas from the north especially, they’ve all got their own melodic thing. When you’re getting older and you’ve been doing it a long time, you hear a new record and you think, “oh you do that on every song you ever do!” I wanted to break that. I dunno, what’s the point in making less good versions of stuff you’ve already done, you know? The five albums since have seen the band move through several incarnations, sounds and line ups and experience all the highs - and most of the lows - that the music industry has to offer, but it was Covid-19 that saw Jon worry the most about income, since his wife Laura is also a member of the band.

Tracklist

The first single from the new album ‘Heatwave In The Cold North’ has already received a wave of radio support, so it feels as familiar to fans as some of their old classics. 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. 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.