We’re stoked to announce that The Police will be gracing the next cover of Rolling Stone. The issue, which hits stands Wednesday in N.Y. and L.A. and Friday everywhere else, features an in-depth interview with the band conducted by David Fricke. In celebration of this extremely exciting issue, we’re unleashing an arsenal of Police items. Check back later this week for a retrospective Police photo gallery, a behind-the-scenes video from the cover shoot shot by Stewart Copeland’s son, an excerpt of the cover story, and the chance to write your own cover lines. This issue of Rolling Stone is also the first ever to be printed on carbon-neutral paper; it features a special report on the global climate crisis that includes a profile of Al Gore, a detailed examination of the effect of George W. Bush’s presidency on the global warming crisis and a proposed solution written by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Rose McGowan and Rosario Dawson show off their naked passion for the Tarantino-Rodriguez double feature Grindhouse on the cover of our new issue, hitting stands this Friday. Come back tomorrow to see the steamy cover image (shot at the L.A. studio 5th and Sunset on March 21st), along with excerpts from our feature. In the meantime, check out our exclusive behind-the-cover video footage in which Rose reveals what it was like on the set of the film, and who she has to thank for her possible brain damage.

Consider your day made. Not only are you looking at a real, live (OK, digitized) version of the new Rolling Stone (on stands Friday,) but the behind-the-scenes footage from Fall Out Boy’s cover shoot is now available for your viewing pleasure. As we mentioned yesterday, it includes all kinds of excellent visual tidbits involving light-saber battles, vocal gymnastics and, as you can already see, plenty of shots of Pete’s manly-but-still-emo torso. Enjoy.

Tomorrow we will put up excerpts from Brian Hiatt’s article, in which the following topics are addressed: Pete’s manic personality, the true nature of his suspiciously intimate friendships with Ashlee Simpson and Michelle Trachtenberg and Patrick Stump’s thoughts on being the lead singer in a band fronted by somebody else. Stay tuned!

Happy Wednesday, y’all! Peep the hot new cover of Rolling Stone, featuring our picks for The New Guitar Gods — John Frusciante, John Mayer and Derek Trucks. Before you go nuts dissecting our three choices, get this: It was our resident musical sage David Fricke who anointed the three kings AND selected twenty-two additional geniuses who have helped define modern guitar music. You can see the full list in the new issue, on stands nationwide this Friday. In the meantime, check out this behind-the-scenes video, in which our cover dudes jam together and discuss their respective love affairs with the gee-tar. Know what a “brown note” is? You’re about to find out…

The reunion that Van Halen fans have been awaiting for twenty-two years began in December, when David Lee Roth walked into Eddie Van Halen’s Hollywood home studio. There he rejoined the band for a rehearsal, singing fourteen Van Halen classics. “They totally got along on a personal level,” a source close to the reunion says. “And it sounded great.” At press time, Roth and the band were negotiating a deal for a major summer tour, which would be Van Halen’s first Roth-fronted tour since 1984. Along with a possible Police reunion, it would likely be among the year’s biggest box-office draws.

“Everything is up in the air,” Eddie Van Halen tells Rolling Stone. “We don’t want to say anything prematurely.” He suggested that the band is waiting on Roth: “People know where we are and that we’re making music. Whoever wants to come up can join us — they’re welcome.” But the famously contentious group may already be having communication problems. The source replies, “Dave is ready. He’s been ready.” (more…)

You heard it hear first: The next issue of Rolling Stone, out this Friday, features Vegas emo dudes Panic! at the Disco. Also in this issue: The inside scoop on the rumored Van Halen reunion, the real story behind the Shins’ new album, Al Gore’s shot at Election ‘08 and the fight to protect Tibet’s ancient culture. Can’t wait for your fix? Check out this exclusive video with our cover boys . . .

If anyone knows how to get fancy, it’s the fellas of Panic! at the Disco. Watch them behind the scenes as they get ready for their close-ups — on our cover! In the words of RuPaul: “Sashay shante shante!”

Check back here tomorrow for juicy tidbits from Jenny Eliscu’s cover story and impress your friends with your insider-y knowledge.

Panic! at the Disco. That’s right, the Las Vegas foursome is gracing our next cover, which hits stands this Friday. We dropped by their cover shoot to make sure we didn’t miss any hijinks and caught them goofing around on the set, fussing about their costumes and barely suppressing their horror when the photographer mussed their coiffures. Before they sat down to do an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview with us [Watch it here!], guitarist Ryan Ross wandered off with the band’s manager, inciting the other three guys to threaten to oust him from the band. (They were kidding, of course.) And it went downhill from there…

Come back later this week to see Jenny Eliscu’s feature article!

Ever wonder how Sacha Baron Cohen dupes his guests, what his grandmother thought of the movie, or which hilarious 80s hobby got his comedy-groove cooking? Get to know the real Borat — in a peek at our exclusive talk with the man behind the mustache, his only major talk out of character. Pick up a copy — on newsstands in New York and L.A. today and everywhere else by Friday. For now, tell us what you think. Is Borat the funniest movie of the year? Does Cohen rub you the wrong way? Or are you ready for the next Cohen movie?

>> PLUS: Don’t miss Sachamania!, five days of the funniest clips from Cohen’s video history:

• Day Two: Borat’s Most Outrageous Talk Show Stunts
• Day One: The Five Funniest Ali G Clips of All Time

Before we debut this week’s cover image (and an excerpt of the world’s exclusive, first-ever extensive out of character talk with Sacha Baron Cohen) we’re sharing another feature from the new ROLLING STONE, which hits stands Wednesday in New York and L.A.; Friday everywhere else. And that feature is none other than Rod Stewart, who — with another hit album, a beautiful fiancee, homes all over the world and a seat at his local pub — is leading a pretty good life. Get Rolling Stone-style access to the Lord of the Manor with this audio interview. And get a taste of our hilarious story here.

So, what do you think? Can Rod still rock out — or is he coasting on fumes?

The next issue of Rolling Stone features the first major interview with Sacha Baron Cohen, star of the ubiquitous new comedy Borat. You’ve seen the movie . . . time to meet the comic genius behind Borat, Ali G., and fabulous fashionista Bruno. Rolling Stone’s got the first major interview with Sacha Baron Cohen out of character. Come back Wednesday for our exclusive excerpt . . . in the meantime, here are some verra ni-i-ice teasers.

Prepare yourself for:

• The inside scoop on how Baron Cohen dupes his guests

• What his grandmother thought of the movie
• The hilarious 80s hobby that got his comedy groove cooking

For now, debate:

What do you think of Borat? Is he as good as all the hype?

UPDATE: Check out Sachamania, our five-day festival of all things Baron Cohen. Today, we feature the five funniest Ali G clips of all time.

• You will never guess who is on the cover of the new issue of Rolling Stone: Fergie Ferg! Check out the tiara, people — she can wear that cuz she’s a duchess with a “t.” (More details in our profile.) On stands in New York and L.A. today; everywhere else by Friday.
• Stephen Marley will release his solo debut Mind Control (which features appearances from friends/fans Ben Harper and Mos Def) on what would have been his father’s 62nd birthday (February 6th).
• The Kinks’ Ray Davies refers to his bandmates as his “muse” while accepting BMI’s award for being an icon or something.
• Indie rockers don’t follow the ponies, they document developing lineups. CMJ is coming and here’s the latest round of details re: who’s playing. [via Stereogum]
• Avenged Sevenfold get off the road to get back to work on new songs to be recorded in the same grimy, rat-infested garage in which they usually record. Fame has not changed them (dammit), except now they like Good Charlotte.
• Maybe it’s cuz we’re over the age of 18 but news of this year’s fifth freaking annual Digital Music Awards depresses us. Mike Skinner has the best blog and the White Stripes win for their immense self-promotional skills? This just feels cold.
• Cool metal news: Blue Cheer reuniting for U.S. dates (list after the jump) and Mastodon head out on tour in Europe with Tool.

(more…)