Foreigner planning new album release

Foreigner is planning to have a new album out this year, showcasing their new lineup. Founding guitarist Mick Jones told us he hopes to have an album out by the end of the year with revamped version of old Foreigner songs, as well as some new tracks: "The aim is to release a new album, probably either the end of this year or early next year and we just need the time to introduce the fact that the band is back in a new formation. But that the band is back and strong and it's been a long time since this band was good and strong."

Jones told us the reason he decided to go back into the studio is because the band is sounding so good now: "The band is so good and the live, you know, performances are so good that we wanted to capture some of it within a studio setting and really kind of get it right and have it for, whatever."

Foreigner currently includes drummer Jason Bonham on drums, former Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson, and singer Kelly Hansen.

The band is also considering taping a live DVD this year, possibly of a full concert performance of their 1981 album 4, which featured the hits "Urgent," "Waiting For A Girl Like You," and "Juke Box Hero."

Jones is the only founding member of Foreigner still in the band.