Mojo - The Music Magazine

Paul McCartney has claimed that he was responsible for politicising The Beatles.

In an interview with Prospect magazine published Wednesday, McCartney is quoted as saying that he was the first within the group to raise concerns over the Vietnam war and to advocate an anti-war stance.

The singer added that his meeting with philosopher Bertrand Russell in the ’60s became a pivotal moment in the band’s awareness of global events.

McCartney said: “I remember going back to the studio either that evening or the next day and telling the guys, particularly John, about this meeting and saying what a bad war this was.”

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Johnny Marr has refused to confirm speculation that The Smiths could be reforming.

When asked by the BBC, the guitarist would only comment that he hadn't "really given it much thought" before moving on to speak about his involvement in the current Smiths' retrospective compilation.

"I think everyone was glad that I stepped up to the breach,” he said. “I didn't have to do it, it could have come out anyway – but I just felt like it was doing a disservice to the band and the people who were buying the records.”

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Axl Rose has spoken out for the first time about new Guns N’Roses album, Chinese Democracy. In a revealing exchange with fans, the frontman freely answered questions on two internet message boards: heretodaygonetohell and mygnr.

Addressing questions concerning why previous line-ups had fallen apart, Rose said: “You've been told a lot of things in order for others to promote themselves that factually they cannot back up in regard to either… They are complicated legally, financially and have devoured a good portion of my life.”

While the singer would not explain the reasons behind the album’s 14-year delay, he revealed that songs which failed to make the final cut would be released in the future.

“For now we'll concentrate and keep our focus on this album but I will say I've always thought of it as a double," Rose wrote.

Meanwhile, Guns N’Roses manager Irving Azoff has ruled out any talk of a reunion. In a statement released on Friday, he said: “There are no plans of a reunion, nor have there been any discussions of a reunion, with former Guns N’Roses band members.”

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A new Arcade Fire documentary will be available for digital download today. The film, entitled Miroir Noir, follows the band through the making of their 2007 album Neon Bible, along with live footage and a few short films made while on the road.

The documentary will also be released as a DVD in the new year, with the deluxe edition containing live performances from Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, Saturday Night Live, and at [BBC studio] Maida Vale.

The film can be downloaded from: http://www.miroir-noir.com/

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Supergrass have quit their record label and appointed bassist Mickey Quinn as the band’s managing director.

The trio have left EMI-owned Parlophone, their home for 14 years, in order to release all future projects through their own label, Supergrass Records. Quinn said: "When you're footing the bill you pull your horns in. In a lot of ways that makes you more creative."

More (but not much more, frankly) here.

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Dizzee Rascal’s been arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. In Orpington! You have to say it’s rather out of character.

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It's Dave Clark's birthday today – time to frug wildly to his Five’s Do You Love Me.

News Beaver: Cian Traynor