Waits Tom

In this archive piece from our March 2003 issue (Take 70), Uncut meets Lou Reed in his favourite Manhattan restaurant to discuss Edgar Allen Poe, Eminem, T’ai Chi, his illustrious career and his hatred of journalists: “I think in an interview what they essentially want to know is how big is your dick…” Words: Gavin Martin / Photo: Julian Schnabel

With Kings Of Leon’s sixth album, Mechanical Bull, set for release on September 23, we thought it would be time to take a trip through the archives into November 2010 (Take 162), when we joined the Followill clan on the road in America – we hear of uncanny robberies, an army of Kings lookalikes, whiskey-fuelled anxieties and a new power struggle within this most volatile of bands. Do they want to be rootsy outlaws or modern rock superstars? Words: Jaan Uhelszki

I spent a chunk of the weekend reading Bad Monkey, the new novel by Carl Hiaasen - one America's great crime writers. After a rather fallow period recently, the book feels very much like Hiaasen is back to full strength.

Prefab Sprout have recently announced their long-awaited return with a new album, Crimson/Red – to tide you over until its release on October 7, here's a piece from Uncut's September 2009 (Take 148) issue, where Paddy McAloon tells us about the music that changed his world, including Dylan, Bowie and Puccini. Interview: Sharon O'Connell

The Rolling Stones brought to a close their 50 & Counting tour on Saturday (June 13), with a second show at London's Hyde Park. The band had kicked off their 50 & Counting tour on October 25 last year with a club show in the 600 capacity La Trabendo in Paris and another at the 1,800 capacity venue le Théâtre Mogador on October 29.

When The Rolling Stones appeared here in 1969, they played on a stage so ultimately flimsy it afterwards could have been towed away on the back of a truck or broken down on the spot and sold for scrap. Unlike the Stones, it was not built to last.

Bob Dylan has reportedly changed the line-up of his band mid-tour. Guitarist Duke Robillard, who has been playing with Dylan since April 2013, has been replaced by Charlie Sexton. Robillard, who has also toured with Tom Waits, first played with Dylan on tracks from 1997's Time Out Of Mind album. His arrival on the Dylan tour earlier this year marked the first change to Dylan's touring band since Sexton replaced guitarist Denny Freeman in October 2009.

Arcade Fire's Win Butler performed with The Rolling Stones on stage in Montreal last night. Montreal resident Butler joined the band to sing "The Last Time" alongside Mick Jagger. Video footage of the performance from the band's 50 & Counting tour at Montreal's Bell Centre can be seen below.

The Rolling Stones were joined onstage by Dave Grohl on Saturday night (May 19) at their gig in Anaheim, California – watch footage of it below. Grohl, who duetted with Jagger on the Sticky Fingers track "Bitch", is the latest guest to join the Stones' 50 & Counting tour. Tom Waits, John Mayer and Katy Perry have also appeared.

Eels’ tenth album lives up to its fate-tempting title...