Red Hot Chili Peppers Halfway Done With New Album

After five quiet years, the Red Hot Chili Peppers look poised to return in a big way in 2011. According to drummer Chad Smith, the group, which now includes guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, is midway to completing its next album and already has touring plans set for next summer.

"The Peppers have festival dates booked for the summer of 2011 already," Smith told Music Radar. "Things are good. Very good. We've cut a bunch of songs, so we're probably halfway through the record. I think we've tracked about 20 songs already, and there's a few more left to do. Then we'll whittle them down to make the best record. We always cut a lot of songs and see which ones rise and which ones fall -- that's just how we like to work. But the new one won't be a double album like 'Stadium Arcadium,' I can tell you that."

Smith revealed that the band hopes to deliver the completed album next March, in time for a summer release, and admits, "It's been a long time in coming."

As for Klinghoffer's contribution to the record, Smith said, "Things are a bit different. You know, he's a different guy. But he's doing great. He's got a terrific sound, he's very musical, he's full of ideas -- we're enjoying working with him. Things are coming along pretty easily, so that's always a good sign. I've been playing with him for over a year now, so it's feeling very natural."