All Hail the Reverend
Its been quite the year for Reverend and the Makers and in particular, the Reverend himself, Mr Jon McClure. On a professional level the band have gone from strength to strength, following last years album "Heatwave in the Cold North" and his other project Day Fever has grown from strength to strength. The band also announced their biggest show to date next summer in Sheffield, to celebrate 20 years of the band.
However, on a personal note he lost his dad in April and has had to navigate that loss.
The band decided to do something to help those who are struggling. "Late Night Phone Call" the latest single from Reverend and the Makers is in support of the Samaritans. McClure has stated in interviews that he has used the charity himself. Telling the NME. “Broadly speaking, my career has been a U-shape. It’s been coming out of the bottom of that U for a few years but, in the previous decade, I was at the bottom for part of it, career-wise and personally,” I was fucked, and I rang the Samaritans, who were a massive help.
“The Samaritans save people’s lives 365 days a year, and they’re even more important this close to Christmas. They’ve done stuff for me, and I wanted to do stuff for them. The Samaritans are what Christmas is really about, in the tradition going right back to pagan times, of trying to brighten up the middle of winter when it’s dark and shit.”
The single which recently hit Number five in the charts, isn't the only thing McClure will do in the festive period. As he has done in previous years. He will play a number of private shows on Zoom, for those spending Christmas alone or going through tough times. He said: “I can’t handle the thought of people being on their own at Christmas, it messes with me. As a creative, what transferable skills have I got to help? I can play songs for people. That’s what I can do. I’ve had messages since from people who I’ve done Zooms for before, and I know it’s the right thing to do, so I’ll carry on with it.”
"Late Night Phone Call" although it was bidding for Christmas Number One, isn't necessarily a Christmas song. It's a love song where Jon proclaims his love for wife and band mate Laura. Written about a true event, after a night at the pub. A soulful cheesy classic, that is infectious and very catchy. Despite it's lack of chorus.
The song is a brilliant one, and was deserving of a higher position in the charts. It managed to reach number five and raised both money and awareness for a brilliant charity. At a time of year where people need help more than ever.
For a band that has always done things on their own terms. It's amazing to see them receive the recognition they deserve. They are brilliant musicians and even better people. In a year where they have all gone through so much, they have united their talents, their mates and created a timeless song that has and will continue to help so many people.
If any of you need any help at this time of year. I know it can be difficult for some. There's a few links below.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/?gclid=CIuC-9ye69ICFQYo0wodX48KPA
Thank you for reading
Jack