John Frusciante readies new album with Flea, Johnny Marr

Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante has some famous friends on his upcoming album, The Empyrean. Flea and Johnny Marr are just some of them.

Also guesting on the record, due 20 January on Frusciante's own Record Collection imprint, are drummer Josh Freese,The Sonus Quartet and The New Dimension singers.

Since rejoining Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1998, Frusciante has released seven solo albums. The band is currently on a hiatus of unknown length, following the touring they did to support their last studio effort, 2006's Stadium Arcadium.

New album means new website

In preparation of releasing The Empyrean, Frusciante has created a new website, johnfrusciante.com, with which he hopes to establish a more direct means of communication with fans and friends. All of his records will be available through the website store.

Frusciante also intends of blogging periodically about his musical endeavors as well as random thoughts.

Given the mercurial nature of his work, we can't wait to check in.

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.