 The writing and formation of By the Way began immediately following the culmination of Californication 's world tour , in the spring of 2001 . As with Californication , much of the creation took place in the band members ' homes , and other locations of practice , such as a recording studio stage . Kiedis recalled of the situation : " We started finding some magic and some music and some riffs and some rhythms and some jams and some grooves , and we added to it and subtracted from it and pushed it around and put melodies to it . " Frusciante and Kiedis would collaborate for days straight , discussing guitar progressions and sharing lyrics . For Kiedis , " writing By the Way ... was a whole different experience from Californication . John was back to himself and brimming with confidence . " Prior to recording By the Way , the Chili Peppers decided that they would again have Rick Rubin produce the album . Rubin had , in the past , granted the Chili Peppers creative freedom on their recording material ; this was something they thought essential for the album to be unique , and could only occur with his return . 
