Reverend preaches current affairs

FRESH from supporting Oasis on tour, Reverend and The Makers are ready to hit the road as headliners.

The Reverend — Jon McClure — enlisted The Makers — Ed Cossens, Tom Rowley, Joe Moskow, Stuart Doughty and Laura Manuel - in 2005.

Sheffield-born McClure has urged other bands to stop writing about meaningless trivia and concentrate on real issues like war, poverty and crime. McClure is doggedly determined to help up and coming artists from his hometown succeed and often recruits producers, photographers and directors from Sheffield.

As well as supporting Oasis, the band also headlined the Love Music, Hate Racism festival and completed a busking tour of the UK where they turned up in various towns and cities for unannounced outdoor gigs.

As well as playing with The Makers, McClure is involved with the Instigate Debate project with fellow musician Carl Barat and journalist Mark Donne.

The initiative aims to get more young people interested in current affairs through forums with various MPs and political figureheads.

You catch The Reverend and his Makers in action at Manchester Academy on Thursday.