Jon McClure a.k.a The Reverend has become a notorious character in Sheffield over the years. Through his friendship with the Arctic Monkeys he managed to suffer most of the backlash as people accused McClure of having the older influence on Alex Turner. At one point he was even accused of secretly supplying the band with their quick one liners.
However unlike most bands associated with the Monkeys, Reverend went underground and ignored the record deals knocking at his door. Now after the hyperbole it appears its time for the Rev to stand out from the shadows. As we walk into the venue we hear tonight's gig is over subscribed due to the Reverend's over generous guestlist, and before this it was sold out.
However as the Reverend and his Makers enter its hard to see what the attraction is. While his six piece band presents a stiff heavy rhythm, it is McClure who restrains the band, as he stands almost motionless onstage. Standing proudly above his audience the Rev rarely performs to his begging fans. His dancing appears to persist of recreating lifting weights, he also rarely excites the crowd- not that they need it. By the time recent radio hit 'Heavyweight Champion Of The World' makes an appearance the audience is whipped into a near frenzy as another crowd surfer is lifted from the shadows.
As McClure begins another introduction a la John Cooper Clarke it's the Reverend's songs that hold him back. It is clear McClure has the personality and the charisma to carry a performance yet as another song begins on a unusually low note, complete with the lyrics "I want a holiday/ la la la la" its hard to see how the Reverend helped the Monkeys with their song writing.
Then as a large fight breaks out in the crowd the Reverend's attraction becomes clear. With the Monkeys leaving Sheffield behind the city needs a new spokesman, someone who can relate to Sheffield folk and provide a northern sense of humour- and it appears the Reverend is the man to do it.
by Ruth Offord
Tags: Reverend and the Makers
Sunday 27/05/07 Reverend And The Makers @ Leadmill, Sheffield
