MusicRadar have written regarding John Frusciante’s position as guitarist with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

It seems, that he’s not.

A ‘source close to the band’ has said that Josh Klinghoffer has been rehearsing with the Peppers for the last couple of months and that the band is trying to find a permanent replacement for John.

The source said, “Mentally, John checked out a long time ago. He’s interested in doing his own thing, his own albums – the whole big rock band machinery just doesn’t appeal to him anymore.”

MusicRadar tell us that, earlier this year, in an interview, Frusciante refused to be introduced as the ‘guitarist with the Red Hot Chili Peppers’, asking instead to be introduced as simply, ‘guitarist, John Frusciante’.

Rumours have been about the net and traditional media for a while and it seems that they are true.  Frusciante was a big part of the Chili Pepper vibe and leaves some big shoes: “The big thing right now that the band will have to consider is, Can Josh [Klinghoffer] write great songs? Can he help push them forward? Everybody knows he can play, but the Peppers need somebody who can come up with amazing material and get them moving again.”

Frusciante quit the Peppers back in ’92 too.  He was replaced by Dave Navarro for a period before rejoining the band in ’99.  His absence was bookended by two massive albums (Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Californication) and he has helped to steer the Peppers through a number of huge-selling, critically-acclaimed albums since his return.  The pressure on Klinghoffer (or whoever the new guitarist turns out to be) must be pretty intense.

More information on MusicRadar who originally published the news.