PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - Steven Tyler says his new gig as an "American Idol" judge doesn't mean the end of Aerosmith.

The band's lead singer said Tuesday that he expects Aerosmith to begin writing songs later this month in preparation for their first new album in a decade. A concert tour has been booked for South America and Japan in November and December.

Tyler said at a news conference with the 'Idol' cast that the band is still rocking. But he sighed when he was asked whether that meant the band was comfortable with his new job.

Lead guitarist Joe Perry complained publicly last summer that he learned about Tyler's "American Idol" role on the Internet, and Tyler said in an interview last fall he was having trouble finding Perry to talk about it.

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