They’ve been writing music since the fall, but it now appears that the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album will begin to formally take shape soon, according to drummer Chad Smith.
“Since last October we’ve been working on things, and probably in a few weeks we’ll be going into the studio with Rick Rubin,” Smith told MusicRadar.com. “Pre-production will take a few months, but I’d say by July we’ll be laying down real tracks. We have a lot of material, probably about 20 songs.”
The album will be the band’s 10th studio effort, but their first with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer; he replaces longtime axeman John Frusciante, who announced he’d be leaving RHCP for the second time in December 2009. A former studio collaborator of Frusciante’s, Klinghoffer first joined the Peppers as a backing musician during their tour for 2006’s double album, Stadium Arcadium.
“We were sad to see John leave the band, but he has to do what he wants and follow his path,” Smith told MusicRadar, before gushing about Klinghoffer. “We’re all thrilled to have Josh be part of the group now. He’s been a friend of ours for a long time. He’s played with us, he’s played with John — he’s a real natural fit.”
Fans should also expect greater contributions on the new record from Flea, who’s been out on the road playing bass with Thom Yorke’s solo project, Atoms for Peace, while finishing up a music theory degree at USC. (In unrelated, but cool news, Flea is auctioning off bass lessons for charity. Click here for details.)
Rick Rubin will once again helm production for the Chili Peppers, as he’s done for all of their hit records, from BloodSugarSexMagik through Stadium Arcadium.
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