Tom Pinnock

ZZ Top mainman Billy Gibbons has revealed that he and bandmate Dusty Hill once turned down an offer of $1 million (£638,000) to shave off their beards. The singer, who has sported a very lengthy beard since the late '70s, told Brave Worlds that he and Hill were approached by Gillette, who offered them the staggering amount of money to shave. Though still a hefty wedge by today's standards, the offer came in 1984, meaning it would be worth $2.25 million (£1.44 million) in 2012.

Shane Meadows' documentary on The Stone Roses could be ready in time for Christmas. Speaking to the BBC ahead of the band's three comeback gigs last weekend in Manchester's Heaton park, the film's producer Mark Herbert (This Is England), said of the as yet untitled project: "I was hoping to get it out by Christmas. But over this weekend alone we were going to shoot 180 to 200 hours of footage. We've got 35 cameras out there – I feel like I'm making the Titanic at the moment. I want to get it out by Christmas. That's the dream."

The new issue of Uncut, which hits shelves today (Monday, July 2) features Neil Young, the MC5, Peter Gabriel and Phil Manzanera.

Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera talks Uncut through the most fascinating albums of his career in the new issue, out on Monday (July 2).

Neil Young sheds light on Americana, his next album and his time with Crazy Horse in the new issue of Uncut, in shops from Monday, July 2.

Sun Kil Moon’s excellent Among The Leaves is Uncut’s lead review in the new August 2012 issue, out now. In this feature from September 2010 (Take 160), Mark Kozelek looks back over the highlights of his recording career, from Red House Painters to his current wrestling-indebted incarnation. Words: Graeme Thomson –––––––––––––––––––––––––

The full story of Detroit’s wild rock’n’roll revolutionaries, the MC5, is told in the new issue of Uncut, dated August 2012, and out on Monday, July 2.

This month’s issue of Uncut (dated July 2012) features Suede recalling the writing and recording of their debut single, “The Drowners” – so it seemed a good time to revisit frontman Brett Anderson’s An Audience With… from Uncut’s December 2010 issue as this week’s archive feature. Expect questions and answers on Damon Albarn, Brett’s obsession with art and The Great War, and the lure of East London’s kebab shops… Interview: John Lewis –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The pianist, singer and songwriter Mac Rebennack, known better as Dr John, faces your questions in the latest Uncut (dated July 2012), out now – but back in October 2010 (Take 161), he took us on a fascinating journey through his most important, and interesting, releases, from Gris-Gris to Exile On Main St. "We went to a nudist camp somewhere, we made up a song called 'The Symphony Of Frogs'…" ______________________________

The reunited Beach Boys' return to the stage is reviewed in the latest issue of Uncut, out now – and as their new album "That's Why God Made The Radio" is also fresh in shops, it seemed time to revisit this piece from Uncut's June 2007 issue (Take 121)… Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine guide us through their perfect ‘pocket symphony’, three minutes and thirty-six seconds of avant-garde pop. Interviews and intro by Rob Hughes. ________________________________