The short-lived band existed from 2004 to 2005, and McClure's lyrics and vocals became angrier during this period due to his strong opposition to the Iraq War.

The band came to an end when McClure decided to pursue a more professional career, leading to Reverend and the Makers.

[3] McClure and Turner have co-written songs including "He Said He Loved Me", "The Machine", and "Old Yellow Bricks", and also shared a flat.

The Soundsystem, which ran for a year from October 2007 and has featured a number of guest DJs such as Mani (The Stone Roses/Primal Scream), Peter Hook (New Order), Andy Nicholson (ex-Arctic Monkeys), Chris McClure (face of the Arctic Monkeys debut album cover (Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not) and brother of Jon), Terry Hall (The Specials), Milburn, Bez and Arctic Monkeys as well as live performances from The Sunshine Underground, Gas Club, Stoney, The 747s, The Hosts, White Rose Movement and Starlings (FKA Kelham Crisis).

The band includes Jon, Matic Mouth, Laura McClure and Jimmy Welsh (who replaced Jagz Kooner).

McClure's new project features band members Lowkey, Andy Nicholson, Matt Helders, Drew McConnell, Joe Moscow, and Jagz Kooner.

[10] In November 2019, along with 34 other musicians, McClure signed a letter endorsing the Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the 2019 UK general election with a call to end austerity.