Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr has told Gigwise that the band won't release a new album until at least 2009.

In an exclusive interview, Hammond Jr, who is currently promoting his second solo album, was reluctant to give further details about the band's future.

“I know we (the Strokes) are going to get together sometime next year but nothing is set that I know of,” he said.

“I don’t really like to say too much about it as I’m only a fifth of a band but it will be happening.”

The Strokes last record, 'First Impressions Of Earth', was released in 2006 and was followed by an extensive world tour which ran until the end of year.

The band's bassist Nikolai Fraiture has previously said that the long break was “much needed for us to remain together as a productive band”.

Unconfirmed reports have linked producer Pharrell Williams to the band's new album following his recent collaboration with Strokes frontman Julian Caasblancas.

The pair teamed up along with Santogold on a new song for the shoe manufacturer Converse.

(by Jason Gregory)