AFTER a sellout tour supporting Oasis over the summer, Reverend and The Makers are hitting the road again, making another stop-off in the region. MARISSA CARRUTHERS finds out more about the band whose fanbase just keeps on growing.
Mamking music isn't just about finding fame for frontman Jon McClure.
And he doesn't get his nickname The Reverend from nowhere, because this is a man who likes to preach.
Those who are already familiar with the work of Jon and Co will know they're passionate about the world and trying to make it a better place.
Whether it is addressing the social state of England and beyond, having a dig at fame-hungry popstars, taking on racism or commenting on politics, Jon is someone who isn't scared to say what he sees.
And it may well be his refreshing and honest take on music that has helped the band quickly secure a firm fanbase across the country.
Reverend and The Makers first burst onto the music scene with their catchy 2007 hit Heavyweight Champion of the World.
But this didn't mark the start of Jon's involvement on the music scene.
Before then he mentored The Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner in an earlier band, ran club nights and sound systems in his home city of Sheffield.
And in 2005 he shunned a six-figure major label deal to make a song that sounded identical to The Arctic Monkeys.
Instead, he chose to build up a band of like-minded musicians – Ed Cosens, his girlfriend Laura Manuel, Richy Westley and Joe Moskow – and self-record a nine-track demo with producer Alan Smyth in 2006.
Later that year he attracted a deal from Wall of Sound and the rest is history.
After spending the summer supporting Jon's heroes, Oasis, on their stadium tour, which stopped off at the Stadium of Light in June, the band hot-footed it to Stoke to headline the Love Music, Hate Racism festival – an issue close to Jon's heart.
Oasis play Sunderland - reviews and pictures.The band's second album, A French Kiss in the Chaos, was released in July and shed a whole new light on Jon's political vigour.
He said: "As we were recording the album the whole credit crunch thing happened and I worried that we were sleepwalking ourselves into Armageddon.
"I sincerely believe that if we, the counterculture, were to unite we could really do something now.
"The pivotal moments in music in my opinion were '67, '76 and '89, there hasn't been one for a long time. I think there could be another one if we all come together around a common agreement.
Jon McClure busking outside Sunderland's Bridges.
"The MPs' expenses scandal presented us with a unique opportunity, as does the financial crisis, to use it do something good.
"I feel like a footballer who's never quite fulfilled his potential, whereas now I think I have a little bit more.
"I think people want us to succeed. They just want us to make good music.
"I've always had the talk to make me the man, I've just never had the music to back it up. Now I feel like I've made a really good record and it actually means something."
You can see Reverend and The Makers at Newcastle's O2 Academy on Saturday, October 31. Tickets are £12 and can be bought by phoning 0844 477 2000 or online at www.gigsandtours.com
