Take one Super Furry Animal, one lap-top wizard and one disgraced motor industry executive and you get synth revivalists Neon Neon and the year's best concept album.

Slash and Duff speak to Stuart Clark and Dave Fanning about the making of Appetite For Destruction, Axl and the Guns N' Roses legacy.

Velvet Revolver axe-man Slash, one of the most influential guitarists of all time, joins bandmate Duff McKagan in reflecting on Guns N' Roses' hellraising heyday.

He's long been one of the North's most singular songwriting talents. Now ANDY WHITE is returning to Belfast to perform a show that sees him bringing together some of his earliest and most current compositions.

The Script are one of the hottest new rock groups on the scene, acclaimed by Pharrel Williams and beloved of Terry Wogan.

THE CANDLELIGHT SESSIONS at Phil Grimes' pub are the first rung on the ladder for many aspiring musicians. Proprietor Tom Ryan and chief rabble-rouser Johnny Kiely explain why this live gem is an important part of the Irish music scene.

As a young band, their biggest ambition was to play their home-town rock club. Now DEAF ANIMAL ORCHESTRA look set for far bigger things.

The Kooks' first album was a million-selling sensation. As they unleash the long-awaited sequel, frontman Luke Pritchard talks about the death of his father, his feud with television presenter Simon Amstell and much more...

They suffered a backlash following their late '90s hit 'Popular', but Nada Surf have rebounded in style. Singer Matthew Caws talks about the thin line between success and failure.

For his third record Mark Geary swapped New York for Kerry and set out to channel his love for Arcade Fire and Radiohead.

English indie rockers The Long Blondes are back, with a new electro sound and an unabashed love for Ronnie Corbett.

They've ditched the tweed and taken their music in a darker direction. The Young Knives talk about Gilbert and George, the Mercurys and Thom Yorke's seaside hideaway.

She's best known as the Pixies' sugar-voiced bassist, but now KIM DEAL is back with her latest Breeders record.

He's got a young family and a demanding day job, but that hasn't prevented Davy Matchett, supremo of Only Gone Records, from fighting the good fight on behalf of the Belfast music scene.

Roisin Dwyer catches up with electropop duo MGMT to discuss their greatest rock 'n' roll moment, Jools Holland and their growing reputation as popular music's new trouble-makers.

Hot Press joins the lads of Bell X1 on the road in America - land of David Letterman and flaming tour buses.

At the ripe old age of 50, when most of his peers are floundering in the doldrums, Nick Cave has hit a purple patch with Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, his most commercially successful and critically acclaimed album to date.

After studiously walking the line between rock and pop, Corkonian Jennifer Clarke explains why she now regards herself as a country act, and tells Jackie Hayden about her interest in serial killers.

Supermodel Twins, a power-pop outfit from the heart of Limerick, are a young band with old heads on their shoulders.

Producer, DJ and now a part of acclaimed dance/rock tie-in, Alloy Mental, Belfast-based Phil Kieran talks about his favourite mixing equipment and explains why we should mourn the passing of vinyl.

Gary and Ryan Jarman explain why they're on a one band mission to bring political indie rock back.

They make dense, deep, Bible-referencing rock. But that doesn't mean The Gutter Twins are the sort to wear their hearts on their sleeves, especially when it comes to chinwagging with the press.

In just two years the 2fm 2moro 2our has grown into a high-profile showcase for Ireland's best new talent. Ahead of the latest jaunt, the featured acts tell Colm Russell what it means to them.

It's eyes down and no conferring as Colm Russell asks We Are Scientists about their new album, intra-band bullying and why Alex Turner wouldn't know a hit single if it bit him in the ass.

Life has never been so sweet for Pugwash's Thomas Walsh with a cracking new album, a song on an A-List Hollywood movie, and a cricket-loving pal to play with.

Jason Isbell was once one of a triumvirate of singer-songwriters with socially aware country rockers Drive By Truckers.

Still in her second decade, Adele is about to go stratospherically huge.

Indie pretty-boys The Coronas aspire to be taken seriously as artists. They chat about their plans for breaking big abroad and explain why they're not the Irish Busted.

Derry group Fighting With Wire talk record deals, dark days and fan tattoos.

Patrick Freyne talks to Ken McHugh of Autamata about his double life as artist and producer, his new album, Colours of Sound - and about moving to the country.

They're making a splash in their adopted home of LA. Now Dublin ex-pats La Rocca are back to conquer the old country.

In an exclusive interview, Once stars Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova talk about the love affair that sneaked up on them, recall their Oscar-winning adventures, give us the inside track on the movie's remarkable success and explain what it's like to hang out with the Coen brothers for an evening.

Genre-busting art-rockers Foals are the moody face of the 'new eccentric' scene. And they've got tastemakers in a proper tizzy.

One of the leading figures in Belfast's electronic scene has just embraced an intriguing new identity. Step forward A.J. SUZUKI a.k.a beatmaster Jupiter Ace.

Hotly tipped Britrockers Los Campesinos talk about the influence of the '90s riot grrrl scene on their music and explain why the prospect of arena rock success doesn't rev their motors.

Minimalist electro-pop duo The Ting Tings emerged from a Manchester artists' collective with a love of Tom Tom Club and Talking Heads and a reputation as one of this year's most original new acts.

CADENCE WEAPON is that rarest of talents: an old school rapper worth getting excited about. Here he talks about his love of retro pop and explains why he quit music journalism for a career behind the mic.

With Thin Lizzy now officially a thing of the past, Philip Lynott is preparing to start anew with Grand Slam. At this transitional point in his public career Tony Clayton-Lea sought out the private Lynott to ask him his views on a wide range of issues including music, politics, religion, sex, drugs, Ireland, parenthood and rock'n'roll stardom. The result is probably the frankest and most revealing interview Philip Lynott has ever given.

Searchlight On The Future. View From The Rear: Brian Downey. Occasional Angles: Phil Lynott. In the middle: Niall Stokes

In 1991, five years after the death of Phil Lynott, the late Bill Graham wrote in Hot Press of Philo's enduring legacy. Over ten years later his words are as relevant as ever

He used to be an actor but there's nothing showbizzy about Johnny Flynn's baroque folk-pop. He tells us what it's like to grow up in a thespian household and of his friendship with Kevin Spacey.

He helped invent synth-pop and is famous for his huge open-air shows. Now Jean-Michel Jarre is going back to basics to reprise his landmark Oxygene album.

Having exiled herself to Cornwall, Sarah McQuaid is about to release the eagerly-awaited follow-up to her debut album.

Nordic singer Jonna Lee on her ambiguous relationship with her homeland and meeting Ed Harcourt in cyberspace.

Undeterred by the failure of their classic first album, St Vitus Dance are continuing to fight the good fight.

You know him as the straight-talking turkey and Eurovision contender. But, in the confines of his 'pad', Dustin also turns out to be quite the indie rock connoisseur.

Black Francis talks to Hot Press about his friendship with U2, his relationship with the rest of the Pixies and why he's reverting back to his original stage-name.

Patrick Freyne watches Luan Parle take country to the country, school by school.

They like to clown around, but hotly-tipped funkateers MGMT are deadly serious about their music - and their love for Hall & Oates.

She's the multi-platinum artist you won't read about in the tabloids. AMY MACDONALD explains how she managed to top the charts without becoming famous.

Michael Stipe talks about REM's new album Accelerate, looks back at their 'working rehearsals' in Dublin and explains how their Irish-born producer helped them through their mid-life crisis.

Bad-ass rockers The Cult have reconvened following half a decade in the wilderness. Frontman Ian Astbury talks about standing-in for Jim Morrison, jamming with UNKLE and explains why it's good to return to his day-job.

They've been the 'nearly' band of British rock for half a decade now. Might Delays' hour finally be at hand?

They're flagbearers for the 'new eccentric' scene and the toast of the fashion set. So what are These New Puritans doing writing songs about Michael Barrymore?

Driving By Night have been on the go since the early '90s, but they've yet to get around to that tricky first album. But with an appearance at SXSW confirmed, things might finally be happening for the Belfast outfit.

30 Seconds To Mars' Jared Leto talks about the challenges of juggling a music and Hollywood career and sheds light on his run-in with the authorities in China.

Patrick Freyne interviews Tegan from Tegan and Sara about their brilliant new album The Con, her twin sister and obsessively recording the minutiae of her life.

Never mind their odd name, Ham Sandwich might just be the most exciting new Irish rock band of the year.

Cajun Dance Party are Thom Yorke's new favourite band and proteges of Bernard Butler. Not bad for a bunch of teenagers just out of school.

Tom Baxter's second album, Skybound, has just topped the Irish album chart. But it was a record that only got made after Baxter personally financed the sessions with his other talent of figurative art painting.

They're unheralded heroes of Canadian rock, purveyors of slinky indie-pop and swooning torchsongs about gay football hooligans. Say hello to Stars, the other great band from Montreal.

They've tangled with the legends of Krautrock, extended the hand of friendship to Eastern Europe and campaigned against light pollution. But what you really need to know about British Sea Power is that they're being hailed as this year's answer to Arcade Fire.

Influenced by artists as diverse as Mogwai and Boards of Canada, The Eclectic are nothing if not well named.

Former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce talks about playing Dublin back in the day with Morrissey and co, his hugely impressive list of musical collaborations, and the joys of life behind the kit.

Jim Corr-endorsed four-piece Karrier have wowed the Dublin indie circuit and supported Pink at Malahide Castle. Now, the band are looking to make a big impact with their debut album.

For his fifth solo album, The World Is Yours, a revitalised Ian Brown decided to kick the weed and address some serious political issues.

Well, you do now. Robert Holmes‘ dark tales of working class Belfast mark him out as a songwriter to watch.

Gaspard Augé of acclaimed electro duo Justice on the group’s stunning live performances, upstaging Kanye West and putting the humour back into dance music.

Patrick Freyne interviews new Britpop sensation Joe Lean and gets paranoid about situationist pranks.

The latest group to benefit from the tutelage of legendary producer Stephen Street, attitudinal Mancunian rockers The Courteeners are one of hottest newcomers on the UK indie scene.

Glaswegian indie outfit Sons And Daughters are set to make a big impact with their most pop-influenced album to date. They talk about surviving Bernard Butler bootcamp, touring with Morrissey and, er, covering Adamski.

After a storming appearance at the Eurosonic festival in Holland, Patrick Freyne talks to Cathy Davey about recording, redecoration and ill communication.

Former Moloko singer Roisin Murphy talks to Paul Nolan about collaborating with an all-star team of songwriters, her unique image and clubbing in Sheffield and New York.

New York quartet Vampire Weekend are set to be one of the breakthrough bands of ‘08 thanks to their inspired brand of Afro-beat tinged rock. Just don’t mention Paul Simon.

Girls Aloud’s Nadine Coyle talks about her Derry childhood, drug use in the pop industry and explains why she gets irritated when the band are called “British”.

She’s been dubbed America’s answer to M.I.A. and blown Bjork off stage in Madison Square Garden. Brooklyn rapper Santogold explains how it feels to be hyped as New York’s next big thing.

She’s been hailed the Irish Amy Winehouse. But dusky-voiced chanteuse Carly is too unique a talent to fit neatly into a pigeon hole.

He’s the classic indie shyboy who quit music to become a bingo announcer because he can't bear the rock 'n' roll gossip mill. Now Jens Lekman is back with his finest album yet words.

A protegé of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, Dubliner Shit Robot is one of the hottest new forces in electronica.

Former Test Icicles frontman Devonte Hynes, aka Lightspeed Champion, has returned to the fold with an excellent debut solo album.

They once blagged a soccer scholarship to America as a laugh. Now back in the UK with a number one album, The Hoosiers are at the forefront of their very own scene: “odd-pop”.

She’s only 19 but already smoky-voiced Londoner Adele is being hailed as the ‘new Amy Winehouse.’

Patrick Freyne interviews Adrian Crowley, whose new album Long Distance Swimmer is shaping up to be one of the Irish success stories of 2008.

We’ve tipped them for success in the past, and now, with a New Year upon us, Laura Izibor, Dirty Epic’s SJ Wai and Fight Like Apes’ MayKay are set to sweep all before them.

Read Peter Murphy's full, unabridged interview with Henry Rollins, exclusive to Hotpress.com

They invented 'nu rave', bagged the Mercury Music Prize and gave Noel Gallagher the mother of all migraines. You could say the Klaxons have had a busy 2007.

With their Eurovision adventure as a focal point, it may have been a strange and unusual year for Dervish – but they've bounced back with a superb new album.

Talk about a supergroup: The Clash’s Mick Jones has joined forces with former Generation X guitarist Tony James to form Carbon/Silicon.

In a highly revealing interview, Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke talks about the inspiration behind one of the albums of the year, his current listening and the band's plans for the future.

Transplanted Americans Cowboy Robot explain why Ireland has proved such a perfect adopted home.

Berlin electronica whizzkids Modeselektor prepare for the joys of fatherhood.

He’s the outstanding protest singer of his generation. But don’t let Bright Eyes catch you comparing him to Bob Dylan.

While visiting our shores, Hot Hot Heat’s Steve Bays goes in search of some uniquely Irish trad instrumentation.

Elfin Scandinavian popster Robyn muses on creative freedom and the vagaries of the industry.

Richard Hawley has passed through the fire and emerged wiser, happier and completely free of pretension.

Always guaranteed a rapturous reception on Irish shores, David Gray meets his people.