Back for more: the Chili Peps

The Red Hot Chili Peppers will end their two-year break on October 12, reports drummer Chad Smith.

The band went on hiatus in 2007 after Stadium Arcadium. In the intervening time Smith has been part of Chickenfoot with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony of Van Halen and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. He's also just released a funk instrumental album with his other side-project, the Bombastic Meatbats.

Singer Anthony Kiedis has been developing a TV series, Spider and Son, based on his autobiography. Bassist Flea, who started out as a jazz musician, has been studying music theory and trumpet at university. Guitarist John Frusciante released his tenth solo album, The Empyrean, early this year, and has continued his collaborations with the Mars Volta.

But now Smith tells Rolling Stone the funk-rock four piece are ready to get back in the game, and will convene for songwriting on October 12.

He says: "I'm going back to playing with the Chili Peppers and I've no idea what it might sound like - which is exciting. It's been two years and we'll just get back together and play. This is my favourite part: the creative process. It's the coolest part of making music and being in a band.

"I love playing live but I get a lot of enjoyment out of this process."

Smith remains vague on the subject of whether Frusciante has been convinced to return to the fold. In recent months the guitarist has said he had "no plans" to work with the Chili Peps again. The only firm news was that he and Flea had talked things over and the feeling was positive.

Smith tells Crave Online: "John wasn't too anxious to get back and get going. But one way or another, we'll get going."

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