Johnny Depp is co-editing a unpublished Woody Guthrie novel, House Of Earth, according to reports in Rolling Stone and The New York Times.

Inspired by his own experiences living during the Dust Bowl era, the story follows two west Texas farmers, Tike and Ella May Hamlin and their run ins with a bank and lumber company. Depp is co-editing the novel with Douglas Brinkley. Depp and Brinkley wrote an essay in The New York Times about the project, saying the book is a “meditation about how poor people search for love and meaning in a corrupt world, one in which the rich have lost their moral compasses. Even though the backdrop is the washed-out agricultural fields of Texas, the novel could just as easily be set in a refugee camp in Sudan or a shantytown in Haiti.”

Guthrie finished the novel in 1947, but set it to one side to concentrate on his songwriting.

House Of Earth will be published next year.

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Tom Waits appeared on Monday evening’s edition of Late Night With David Letterman, where he performed “Chicago”, from his most recent album, 2011’s Bad As Me, live for the first time.

Musicians joining Waits on stage included his son Casey Waits on drums, long time bassist Larry Taylor, guitarist David Hidalgo, keyboardist Augie Myers and guitarist Big Bill Morganfield.

You can watch Waits’ performance on the CBS show below.

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

The Rolling Stones are set to release a new bootleg from their archives this morning [July 11]

Recorded at the Tokyo Dome in 1990, on the Steel Wheels tour, this is the fourth bootleg the Stones have officially released, following on from 1975’s LA Friday, the Hampton Coliseum show in 1981 and 1973’s legendary Brussels Affair set.

The Stones toured Japan for the first time in February, 1990, taking up a 10-date residence at the Tokyo Dome.

Tokyo 1990 is available to buy from www.stonesarchive.com at 11am GMT.

You can watch Mick Jagger and Keith Richards discuss the release here.

Meanwhile, A new photography exhibition called The Rolling Stones: 50 is set to open at London’s Somerset House this week.

The free exhibition will be held from July 13 – August 27 in the landmark venue’s East Wing Galleries and will coincide with the release of a book of the same time. The book will feature 700 shots and words from the band on their history, and will hit UK bookshops on July 12.

The exhibition will show a host of unseen and rare photographs, including more than 70 prints, with live shots, studio images and reportage pictures on display as well as contact sheets and negative strips.

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

The Gaslight Anthem have extended their UK tour, which takes place in October.

The New Jersey band, who will release their new album Handwritten on July 23, have added another show at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on October 17 to the their tour. They will now play five dates, two of which will be at O2 Academy Brixton. Support on the tour will come from Blood Red Shoes.

Earlier this month, The Gaslight Anthem played a one-off show at London’s KOKO. They will return to the UK for appearances at Reading & Leeds Festivals at the end of August.

The Gaslight Anthem will play:

O2 Academy Brixton (October 15, 17)

O2 Apollo Manchester (October 18)

O2 Academy Glasgow (October 19)

O2 Academy Birmingham (October 20)

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Pulp have announced details of a one-off Christmas homecoming show.

It will be the band’s first UK date since a performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March. After reuniting last year, Pulp are currently on a brief European festival tour, which will conclude with an appearance at Fiera della Musica in Italy on Friday (July 13).

Earlier today (July 10), the reunited five-piece posted the date and venue of the Sheffield show on their Twitter page, writing:

Pulp come home for Christmas. Sheffield Arena, Saturday 8 December 2012. Tissues optional. Presale starts now!

Meanwhile, a series of cryptic messages have appeared on the band’s official website. They tease: “The day that (almost) never happened… A journey back to where it all began… May the circle be unbroken – tissues optional… Sheffield 8 December 2012.”

Last month (June), Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker spoke to NME and revealed that the band had yet to decide on whether to record new material. “It’s a hard one. We haven’t been in the studio or anything. I don’t know what will happen in the future,” he said.

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Following in their parents footsteps, members of the Wilson, Love and Jardine families have formed a new band, according to Rolling Stone.

The line-up for the band, called California Saga, features Brian Wilson’s daughters, Carnie and Wendy, Carl Wilson’s son, Justyn, Dennis Wilson’s son, Carl B. Wilson, Mike Love’s son and daughter, Christian and Ambha and Al Jardine’s sons, Matt and Adam. The lineup will also include guitarist Billy Hinsche, Carl Wilson’s brother-in-law, who toured with the Beach Boys for decades.

Carnie and Wendy Wilson had already enjoyed success in the 1990s as members of Wilson Phillips, alongside Chynna Phillips, daughter of John and Michelle Phillips, from The Mamas And The Papas.

California Saga are named after a track of the Beach Boys’ 1973 album, Holland.

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Christopher Brahney, who went missing after The Stone Roses’ first show at Heaton Park last Friday (June 29), has been found dead.

A body was recovered by police from the Manchester Ship Canal at 9.35am (GMT) this morning (July 9) and Great Manchester Police have now confirmed that they formally identified the body as Brahney’s.

Earlier this afternoon, a statement was also posted on the Chris Brahney Facebook page, which reads as follows: “It is with great sadness that on behalf of the Brahney family I am writing to you all. The police will be issuing a formal statement soon regarding the body that was found in the canal this morning. At this time we believe that it is Chris, however formal identification has still to take place.”

They continued: “The family would like to thank everyone for all the kind words, thoughts and prayers that you have sent our way. Thank you for all the support, it has given them immense strength and courage. Please respect the family’s wishes and ensure that they are left alone during this difficult time.”

An extensive search has taken place throughout last week and this weekend to find Brahney, with The Stone Roses themselves even appealing for people to come forward with information.

Tributes to Brahney from the music world have been plentiful, with Primal Scream, who supported The Stone Roses that night, among those to offer one. They wrote: “RIP Chris Brahney”.

The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray joined them in paying tribute, he wrote: “So sad about Chris Brahney. The Courteeners send their love to his family and all of his friends.”

He was joined in offering condolences by The View, who dedicated their show in Manchester last night to Brahney, they wrote: “The View dedicate their Manchester gig to 22 yr old Chris Brahney who was found dead in a Mcr canal 2day. RIP.”

Inspiral Carpets man Clint Boon wrote: “Police have just confirmed that the body found in Salford Quays earlier today was that of Chris Brahney. So sad for him and his family.”

Brahney was 22 and from Timperley in Manchester. A full post-mortem examination will take place today (July 10).

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Band Of Horses have announced a four-date UK tour for later this year.

The band, who recently completed work on their fourth studio album, Mirage Rock, will play four shows on the tour in November.

The trek begins at Birmingham’s HMV Institute on November 15, before moving on to Glasgow’s O2 Academy on November 16, Manchester Academy on November 19 and finally London’s HMV Hammersmith Apollo on November 20.

The band’s new album, which is the follow-up to 2010’s Infinite Arms, has been produced by Glyn Johns, who has previously worked with the likes of The Who, Bob Dylan and The Clash. It is due for release in September.

You can watch a video preview of the album, which includes a snippet of new song “Dumpster World”, at the bottom of the page.

Band Of Horses will play:

Birmingham HMV Institute (November 15)

O2 Academy Glasgow (16)

Manchester Academy (19)

London HMV Hammersmith Apollo (20)

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Photo: Andy Willsher/NME

LCD Soundsystem could reunite for a one-off cover version, James Murphy has revealed.

The US dance-punk band – whose singer and primary songwriter was Murphy – released three acclaimed albums before announcing their disbandment in February 2011. Two months later, Murphy and his bandmates played their farewell show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

The band’s final night has been preserved in an upcoming concert film, Shut Up And Play The Hits, which will play in US cinemas for one night only on July 18, before being released digitally and on DVD.

However, Murphy has now told The New York Times that a director friend has asked him to reform LCD Soundsystem to record a cover version for a film soundtrack. Murphy declined to name the director or the film, but revealed that the project is something everyone in the band “seems to want to do”.

As well as preparing the film for release and playing DJ sets, Murphy revealed that he has also been working on new music of his own – albeit in a casual way. “Lately I’ve been making little synth songs at other people’s studios,” he said.

He also insisted that, whatever happens next, he will always feel connected to LCD Soundsystem. He said: “That band was me. Even if I go make a record and it says James Murphy, it’s still me. There’s a line through that stuff that I don’t feel like it’s in my past. I will be very happy if I make a bunch more records, and 15 years from now someone asks me about LCD Soundsystem because they feel like that’s the important thing. I’ve watched too many artists in my life forget how good the things they used to do were.”

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Grizzly Bear have revealed that their new studio album will be titled Shields.

The Brooklyn indie band will release the album on Warp Recordings on September 17 in the UK and September 18 in the US and you can hear the opening track “Sleeping Ute” now at the bottom of the page. It is the fourth record of their career to date.

Grizzly Bear will tour the UK in support of the album in the autumn, with dates booked in both August and October.

They will first play shows in Cambridge and Nottingham in August ahead of their co-headline slot at this year’s End Of The Road Festival. They will then return to play gigs in Gateshead, Manchester, Glasgow, Warwick and London in October.

The tracklisting for Shields is as follows:

‘Sleeping Ute’

‘Speak In Rounds’

‘Adelma’

‘Yet Again’

‘The Hunt’

‘A Simple Answer’

‘What’s Wrong’

‘Gun-shy’

‘Half Gate’

‘Sun In Your Eyes’

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Ahead of his first UK live shows in over 30 years, country rock pioneer, film producer, MTV ‘creator’ and former Monkee, Michael Nesmith, is set to answer your questions in Uncut as part of our regular Audience With… feature.

So is there anything you’ve always wanted to ask the Nez..?

As the author of “Different Drum”, does he prefer the Linda Ronstadt or Evan Dando version?

What does he remember of working with Bert Jansch, on LA Turnaround?

Does he still have that woolly hat he wore in The Monkees?

Send your questions to us by noon, Monday July 16 to uncutaudiencewith@ipcmedia.com.

The best questions, and Michael’s answers, will be published in a future edition of Uncut magazine.

Please include your name and location with your question.

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Paul McCartney is working on a new project with the makers of the Halo video game series.

The Beatle announced he is composing music with developers Bungie on his Twitter page.

He wrote: I’m really excited to be working on writing music with Bungie, the studio that made Halo.

Although, it is unclear what he will be composing music for at this stage, it is unlikely to be on the next Halo game because Bungie concluded its work on the series in 2010 with ‘Halo’s Reach’.

‘Halo 4‘, which is currently in development, is being made by 343 Industries.

McCartney said earlier this year that he wanted write music for computer games because he thinks it’s easier to make money through gamers than it is by selling CDs.

He said: “It’s a fascinating market. A new computer game sells so much better than a new CD these days. Young people will hear my music for the first time in a game.”

McCartney’s likeness was used in the computer game The Beatles: Rock Band, which allowed users to play through their favourite tracks by the Fab Four using their consoles.

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Ringo Starr celebrated his 72nd birthday in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday night (7 July) by holding a “peace and love” moment at midday.

Hundreds of fans joined Starr at Hard Rock Café, holding two fingers in the air and shouting “peace and love”. The Beatles drummer also asked people around the world to do the same thing at 12 o’clock in their own time zones. He told his fans:

“Wherever you are — on a bus, in the office, in the studio, hanging out … whatever you’re doing, at noon, just go, ‘Peace and love.’ That’s all I ask for my birthday. Peace and love.”

Starr was also joined by the likes of Toto’s Steve Lukather and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, while the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” and the chorus of “Give Peace A Chance”.

Recently, Ringo shot down reports that the sons of The Beatles are set to form a band together. His son, Zak Starkey, (who previously played with both Oasis and The Who), according to his father, isn’t keen on the idea.

When asked if he had ever thought about forming a band with the rest of the Beatles’ children, he replied: “I don’t think it’s something that Zak wants to do. Maybe Jason [drummer and one of Starr’s other sons] would want to do it. I’d be up for it. Sean seemed to be into it, Dhani seemed to be into it. I’d be happy to do it.”

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Johnny Marr will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Salford, at a ceremony at The Lowry on July 19.

The Smiths guitarist, who has been a visiting professor in popular music at the university since 2007, said:

“I’m very pleased to be given an honorary degree by Salford University. I’ve enjoyed working with the students in my capacity as visiting professor and hopefully we can find some more opportunities for creative work in the future.”

He also quipped on Twitter:

Am being given an honorary doctorate by Salford Uni. Dr Johnny. Was being fitted for a gown. They say it’s a gown but it’s not. It’s a cape.

The former Smiths guitarist and drummer Mike Joyce recently denied rumours that The Smiths were set to reunite . In a short post on his official Facebook page, Marr commented: “The rumour of The Smiths reunion is untrue. It’s not happening.”

Back in February, Marr jokingly told NME that he would reform The Smiths only if the current coalition government stepped down, commenting:

“We won’t be reforming this week. Maybe if the government stepped down. If this government stepped down, I’ll reform the band. How’s that? That’s a fair trade, isn’t it? I think the country would be better off, don’t you?”

When asked if he had been tempted to speak to Morrissey about the prospect of a reunion, he told NME: “I don’t not speak to him, because that implies a certain standoff or whatever.” He continued: “He’s doing his thing and I’m doing mine, and we go through periods of time when we’re in communication and at times when we’re not. I’m not sure he wants to communicate, so I’ll just carry on doing what I’m doing, and live my life and be a musician.”

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!

Brian May of Queen has turned his estate in Surrey into a wildlife refuge.

The guitarist told The Sunday Times: “When I’m gone, people will no doubt remember me for Queen, but I would much rather be remembered for attempting to change the way we treat our fellow creatures.”

He added: “I suppose I’ve lived a crazy life, and watching wildlife brings back a sense of tranquility.” May’s grounds, which he bought more than thirty years ago when Queen were at the height of their fame, are home to a collection of injured and orphaned animals which stay in May’s estate until they are ready for release.

Just some of the animals on the estate include thirty-six hedgehogs, seven badger cubs and two tawny owls, which form part of May’s Save Me organisation, for which May received an International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) award.

The Queen guitarist said: “Queen is a huge part of my life, but I do have other interests. People know about the astrophysics, but I love gardening, too, and I’ve always been passionate about the welfare of our wonderful British wildlife.”

May, who recently spoke about bringing the band’s late frontman Freddie Mercury to life as an ‘optical illusion’ , in a special 10th anniversary performance of the band’s own musical We Will Rock You, said that: “Freddie was a huge animal lover” and that “He loved his cats more than anything.”

Queen are currently on tour with former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert on vocals. The band had been due to headline Sonisphere festival earlier this summer, though the rock bash was cancelled, with organisers citing, “a very challenging year [that] was more difficult than anticipated”.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Please fill in our quick survey about Uncut – and you could win a 12 month subscription to the magazine. Click here to see the survey. Thanks!