The Red Hot Chili Peppers are looking...

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are looking for a guitarist--again--after firing Arik Marshall, who had replaced John Frusciante just a year ago. “It just wasn’t working out, and right now we’re auditioning for a replacement,� the band said through manager Lindy Goetz. The group will gear up to record a new album as soon as the new member is named. . . .

Though “retired� from recording, Prince has written songs for upcoming albums by Bette Midler, James Ingram and the solo debut from Chynna Phillips and may make an appearance on the in-progress album by his band, the New Power Generation. . . .

Depeche Mode fans can look for something different on stage when the group’s tour gets to the U.S. in September: a real drum set! Depeche has relied completely on electronic percussion in previous tours. . . . Word is surfacing that Bruce Springsteen will return to U.S. concert halls for benefit shows soon in the New York area, though his representatives would not confirm the plans at this time. . . .

Melissa Etheridge is just finishing her fourth album, this time with producer Hugh Padgham, who has worked with Paul McCartney and Phil Collins. It’s due in September. . . .

Young Atlanta rap duo Kris Kross is finishing up its second album, scheduled to hit the stores at the end of July. . . . After returning to her roots at the “Troubadours of Folk� festival at UCLA on Saturday, Joni Mitchell is scheduled to continue in that vein and record an album entirely of Bob Dylan songs. . . .

George Thorogood’s new album, “Killer’s Bluze,� is due July 13, with the title track reportedly about getting inside the mind of a killer. . . . Here are some early jingle bells, as Aaron Neville recorded a Christmas album recently in New Orleans and the Beach Boys are making plans for a seasonal TV special, with a possible album as well.

Former KROQ and MARS deejay Swedish Eagle is back on the air in Southern California with a syndicated show of “progressive dance music� having been picked up by Orange County station KWIZ-FM (96.7) for a late-night weekend slot. Eagle is also putting together “Planet Reggae,� a syndicated program co-hosted by C.C. Smith, host of KCRW’s “African Beat,� and Roger Steffens, former host of KCRW’s “Reggae Beat.� . . .

The rumored Debbie Harry-R.E.M. collaboration has taken place, with the former Blondie singer adding vocals to the Georgia band’s already-done version of “Last Date,� the old Floyd Cramer instrumental hit.