AN urban myth started circulating around the music world about a decade ago.

It was 2006 when Arctic Monkeys' first record became the fastest selling debut album in British music history.

All eyes – and ears – turned to group's home of Sheffield where another band called Reverend and the Makers were working on their first set of songs.

The frontmen of both bands – Alex Turner and Jon McClure – were also good friends and Jon's brother Chris famously became the face of Arctic Monkey's CD cover.

Major record labels saw an opportunity and rumour has it Reverend and the Makers were offered sums of up to £150,000 to 'make an album like Arctic Monkeys'.

"There’s a bit of truth in it," said Jon.

"People were looking for another Arctic Monkeys and I wasn’t prepared to be another Arctic Monkeys.

"I loved them and they’re great but they’re a phenomena. They’re a one-in-a-million band. They’re off doing that American rock thing and they’re very good at it.

"The Arctic Monkeys thing used to annoy me and there’s always lazy comparisons but why would I worry?

"If someone offered you 10 years of doing this with your best mate and your missus you would take it wouldn’t you?"

Jon reckons the way his band have charted their own path, without following any trends or musical styles, is the reason they are still here today.

"Ultimately, that’s meant less commercial success, granted, but I’ve been doing this 11 years and I’ve got a nice house and a nice life," he added.

"Not everyone is going to be megastars. I’m cool with that. You should be your own person. That will stand you in good stead forever.

"That is why I’ve never been shy of expressing my opinions. I’m not a careerist. If I’ve got no more money and no one wants to hear my band anymore I’d go and get a job. That’s life.

"Success is always relative. I’ve got friends and relatives you do jobs that they hate and I’m making music every day and going to nice places. I’m winning.

"I’m going to carry on making good things and shaking the tree a bit."

Reverend and the Makers are currently working on their sixth album and have just got back from a tour with the Libertines.

The last night of the tour was a taste of the old days for Jon who admitted he has settled down a bit after marrying keyboardist Laura and starting a family.

He said: "The Libertines came off stage and everyone was in a good mood so Pete Doherty sprayed our drummer with this hose. The next thing they’re naked on the floor wrestling. It was a hilarious.

"Then we had a bit of a mad party so it was great. That’s the kind of vibe you get when you tour with them because they’re nutters."

Next up is Warrington Music Festival at the Old Fish Market on Sunday, May 29.

"Our shows used to be a bit moody and political but now when we play live it’s a straight up party," added Jon.

Reverend and the Makers are also known for their impromptu live shows in people's houses so, who knows, you may see the band in your street earlier that day.

Jon said: "I’ve played in a couple of people’s houses in the Warrington area so I might do a little something.

"It’s always madness. We get police turning up as the houses are always too full but I like to cause a bit of chaos. I think that’s how people remember you."

Jon has often had his fallouts with the music industry and his internet spats with other artists like The 1975's Matthew Healy and Olly Murs are as well known as his music.

But he told Weekend he is feeling more confident than ever after the release of his widely acclaimed fifth album, Mirrors.

It was the record that helped Reverend and the Makers 'reinvent themselves' and a far cry from those Arctic Monkeys comparisons.

Warrington Guardian:

Noel Gallagher said the record 'sounds like nothing I've heard since the great concept albums of the '60s' while Mirrors was dubbed a 'magnum opus' by The Libertines' Carl Barat.

"I think it’s the first time we’ve ever had wall-to-wall good reviews," said Jon.

"If you listen to Mirrors all the way through I don’t think you could fail to be impressed. That’s not me being arrogant because I’ve made some rubbish records.

"The other thing is I’m 34 and I’ve never felt more alive creatively and never felt more capable of making good music and good art.

"So it sort of debunks the myth that you’re at your best in your youth and with your first album.

"I stopped thinking about the radio. We went into the studio and started messing around and the next thing we had reinvented ourselves.

"We feel a bit invincible at the moment. We’ve got a new lease of life."

Jon also said that Mirrors better reflects his life at the moment as dad to Lenny, who is 18 months old.

He added: "It used to be sleepless nights because we were up all night and now it’s sleepless nights because he’s kicking and screaming.

"But it’s all good because it’s all part of life. Your life changes, what you’re into changes and your priorities change and in the same way your music alters. You’ve got to move with it.

"I’m up for making boss records when I’m 70.

"I wanted to make music that reflected life now rather than trying to endlessly recreate what life was like 10 years ago.

"When you’re in your 30s you’re not in a club every night. You’re probably at home with your kid and missus.

"I think it's worked a treat. We made that album in Jamaica. We had a great time.

"We’re now busy on album six which looks like it could be a double album as we’ve got so much music that we can’t narrow down anymore.

"Libertines are raving about this studio in Thailand where they recorded their album so it looks like we could be going out there to record it."

So what is it like working with your wife?

"It used to be a bit weird because when the band first started we weren’t together," he said.

"Then we got together and then we split up and then we got back together.

"But for seven or eight years everything’s been nice. I’m fortunate. My best friends are in this band and they’re very talented people.

"It’s like a family. It’s a massive part of my life and I can’t separate myself from it."

- Reverend and the Makers and Lightning Seeds co-headline Warrington Music Festival on May 29. Tickets are £16.75 from gswarrington.com or visit the pop-up box office at the Golden Square to buy them for £15