Following a short hiatus, Reverend and the Makers have announced the release of The Best of The Reverend and the Makers in September alongside a UK tour including a homecoming gig at Sheffield’s O2 Academy on Friday 25 September.
The release marks 12 years since they burst onto the scene with ‘Heavyweight Champion of the World’ and one of the classic albums of the 2000s in The State of Things.
The 27 track album features two sides, one called Uppers and the other Downers and will be released on 20 September. Tickets for the UK tour go on general sale on Friday 21 June at 9am. O2 Priority users can grab a pre-sale ticket on Wednesday 19 June at 9am.
Uppers (Disc 1)
Silence Is Talking (A French Kiss In The Chaos – 2009)
“This was written after the Iraq war and me asking why so many people in the public eye stayed quiet about the matter. Yet weirdly it’s a massive party banger.”
Heavyweight Champion Of The World (The State Of Things – 2007)
“A tale of frustration and wasted lives and the anger that sets in when you think you’ve wasted your shot at escaping the rat race.”
Bandits (The State Of Things – 2007)
“I used to be a bit addicted to gambling. Straight out of work and the full pay packet in the fruit machine. It’s a little mini Sheffield soap opera.”
MDMAzing feat. Howard Marks (@Reverend_Makers – 2012)
“I knew Howard from partying in Ibiza and this is our ode to all things hedonistic.”
Shine The Light (@Reverend_Makers – 2012)
“Again on the gambling theme. My mum always tells me how she’ll spend the winnings and so I thought it’d make a good concept for a tune.”
Bassline (@Reverend_Makers 2012)
“My reaction to the death of indie and the rise of electronic music. That feeling of waiting all week ’til Friday to get mashed and one for the weekend warriors.”
Black Widow (Mirrors – 2015)
“About a friend who has fallen for a bit of a devil.”
Makin’ Babies (Mirrors – 2015)
“I wrote this the day I found out I was to become a father. It’s me asking Laura “Shall we have one then?”
Out Of The Shadows (@Reverend_Makers – 2012)
“This was me cheering up. The second album was so doomy and I almost lost the plot. This is me being happy again.”
Mr Glassalfempty (Mirrors – 2015)
“A tongue in cheek song for our friend who’s a right grumpy git.”
Hidden Persuaders (A French Kiss In The Chaos – 2009)
“About consumerism and materialism. Based on the Vance Packard book of the same name.”
Open Your Window (The State Of Things – 2007)
“About a couple of 18 year olds. The female goes to uni and despite her promises that they’ll remain an item, he knows he is losing her in mind body and spirit.”
Elastic Fantastic feat. Rich Westley (New song – 2019)
“A fantasy about killing Donald Trump with a bow and arrow.”
Rev, Tramlines 2018. Image: Giles Smith
Downers (Disc 2)
Hard Times For Dreamers (A French Kiss In The Chaos – 2009)
“Me asking Laura if she will be the one to stick by me despite the world turning to shit.”
Long Long Time (A French Kiss In The Chaos – 2009)
“Basically about depression and wanting to run away.”
The Beach And The Sea (Mirrors – 2015)
“Sex song!”
No Soap (In A Dirty War) (A French Kiss In The Chaos – 2009)
“Me saying that I don’t wanna live the same life that every other fucker round Sheffield does and that I want to leave my ex and spread my wings further than the city limits.”
Monkey See, Monkey Do (The Death Of A King – 2017)
“I’m a lad. I’m super alpha. And sometimes I’m not the best feminist. This is me saying I know I should do better.”
Sex With The Ex (The State Of Things – 2007)
“Self explanatory. I hadn’t seen her for ages and it caught me off guard and then we were suddenly back in that place.”
Yes You Do (@Reverend_Makers – 2012)
“Pure love song for my Mrs. I’m glad she loves me sorta sentiment.”
Something To Remember (Mirrors – 2015)
“Sepia, nostalgic trip down memory lane vibe about an old friend to whom I no longer speak.”
Live for Exposed In Session. Image: Timm Cleasby
Last To Know (Mirrors – 2015)
“Ed can tell you better but about a friend of ours whose partner was cheating and everybody knew but him.”
Auld Reekie Blues (The Death Of A King – 2017)
“I was in Scotland with the Libertines and took loadsa MDMA. Next day I just wanted to be back home in bed with Laura n hide from the world cos I felt dreadful.”
What Goes Around (Acoustic version)
“About a friend of mine who shits on people and it doesn’t mater what I say because he will get what’s coming eventually.”
Black Flowers (The Death Of A King – 2017)
“About the slow death of a relationship. The bit before u decide to call it a day. The strangeness, but then about loving that person and them being the only one who can make you cry.”
Boomerang (The Death Of A King – 2017)
“About a mate who’s a real beg and a total blag. Always there, selling drugs and it seems you can’t keep him down.”
Te Quiero Pero (New song – 2019)
“My attempt at a mad Mexican western song. Just fancied writing something that sounded really romantic for a change.”
Tickets for Reverend and the Makers’ homecoming gig at O2 Academy are on sale now, you can grab yours here.
