With a concert scheduled for next month and a new album due out sometime in not too distant future, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are certainly gearing up for a busy 2010. However, if you believe several media reports, these plans will not include longtime guitarist John Frusciante.

As TwentyFourBit points out, the Los Angeles Times’ Kevin Bronson, Musicradar.com, and hipster gossip website Buddyhead.com have all filed reports in recent days claiming that Frusciante has quit the band. Apparently the general consensus seems to be that Frusciante is no longer interested in being part of the Chili Peppers and has since been replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, who previously toured with the band as a second guitarist. Klinghoffer and the rest of the band are reportedly recording their yet-to-be-titled 10th album.

Throughout the last year, Frusciante has appeared apathetic to the idea of a new Chili Peppers album. Rumors of his departure had picked up steam in recent weeks after drummer Chad Smith recently responded to a question about the guitarist with a “Well… at this time I can’t talk about that. I have been told to stay away from the John questions.” As of now, however, the band has yet to officially comment on the matter.

If true, this would not mark the first time Frusciante has quit the band. The New York city native joined the Chili Peppers in 1988 only to quit four years later after being overwhelmed by the band’s popularity. He would rejoin the outfit in 1998.