Music

Red Hot Chili Peppers talk new album, lineup changes

by Ciaran Thompson

Dr. Johnny Skinz’s Disproportionately Rambunctious Polar Express Machine-head is apparently the working title for Red Hot Chili Peppers’ new album, according to lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis.

The band is currently recording their tenth studio album following 2006’s Stadium Arcadium and a two year break, which saw each member pursue different projects such as bassist Flea joining Thom Yorke’s Atoms for Peace and drummer Chad Smith playing with Chickenfoot.

Also during the band’s time off, guitarist John Frusciante quit and has since been replaced by touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Despite losing a member who played on five of the band’s recordings, Kiedis said they have since moved on.

“It is always going to change the chemistry and feeling of the music when such a creative force as John Frusciante leaves,” he said. “He was something unique that shaped our sound then, but now I think it’s also something fresh and exciting to have a new, incredible musical mind working with us now. We are still the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but we also have to adapt and welcome new opportunities. After all, that is how we’ve survived all these years.”

Kiedis also spoke of the upcoming record, which is due out next year and is being produced by Rick Rubin, saying it has “been one of evolution. Before, some of our jams were a bit hit-and-miss. On this record, a decent number of songs were actually thought out and planned in a way we had never done before. That is, with Flea’s new knowledge of music theory, we explored the writing process with a bit more precision.” [SPIN]