Chickenfoot is already writing its second album, according to an interview with guitarist Joe Satriani at bestofwny.com. The rock supergroup, which also features Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and former Van Halen members Sammy Hagar on vocals and Michael Anthony on bass, released its debut disc last June and ended up with a gold album. Although Smith is now back at work with the Chili Peppers, Satriani said, "The four of us are all on the same page as far as this project goes, we're all committed to doing a Chickenfoot number two. As a matter of fact Sammy and I have already begun the writing process together."

Satriani added, "The beauty of this band is the respect we have for one another's time and career aspirations. I'm getting set for the Experience Hendrix tour next month and writing for a new record, Sammy's busy doing a million things at once, Chad's back working with the Chili Peppers and Mike's busy being Mike."

Meanwhile, taking over as lead singer of Aerosmith is not one of the "million things" that Hagar is doing. Unnamed sources told Classic Rock magazine on "good authority" that Hagar was a candidate to temporarily replace Steven Tyler, but Hagar's manager John Carter told the magazine, "Good authority must mean The Enquirer because his Led Zep gig conflicts with the Aerosmith job . . . Seriously, Sam is very happy to be going into the studio with Chickenfoot to start the second album in April."

Recent reports in Classic Rock indicated that Billy Idol, Chris Cornell and Paul Rodgers had all been approached to fill in for Tyler, who is currently in rehab and mulling a contentious two-year break to pursue a solo project. The rest of Aerosmith have said they'll hire a singer for touring until Tyler returns.