“Monkey wrench?”, they said. “We love it!” we said. “Getting plastered?” they said. “Count us in!” we cried. And thus NME was duped into going to Sunderland to help Frankie & The Heartstrings build their hometown record shop, entertained as we worked by finding out how they ended up tweeting naked pictures of themselves and deciding they’re “a 10-legged indie Jesus”…

Breakdowns in hotel lobbies. Stage-side paramedics. An ultra-destructive relationship. In his most revealing interview ever, Braford Cox of Deerhunter spills the beans on the in-band fear and loathing and the devastations that led to his latest masterpiece ‘Monomania’.

What happened when they set fire to an entire venue? Why did they arrive onstage through a giant psychedelic vagina? What’s with all the naked videos? Why were aliens and Santas always having sex on stage? Wayne Coyne looks back at thirty years of The Flaming Lips in all its surreal glory.

Four – count ’em! – NME reviewers tackle the Roses’ massive return to London – which one will you agree with?

Is Kanye’s new album an ego-leap too far? Or the ultimate career-defining masterpiece he clearly thinks it is? NME previews one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

Malcolm In The Middle rocks! Fucked Up and The Mars Volta quit! Isle Of Wight and Download previewed! Two Door tackle cash-for-questions in pop! Empire Of The Sun, Zomby, Surfer Blood, Sigur Ros, Health, Haim and Green Day reviewed! And Liam Gallagher does surprisingly well in our Braincells quiz!