Pat Smear
Germs co-founder, Nirvana touring guitarist and Foo Fighters guitarist since the start.
Pat Smear (born Georg Albert Ruthenberg on August 5, 1959) is an American guitarist who plays in Foo Fighters. He co-founded and played lead guitar in the Los Angeles punk band the Germs and toured with Nirvana as a guitarist. He joined Foo Fighters in 1994, left in 1997, came back as a touring guitarist in 2005 and became a full-time member again in 2010.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 5 August 1959
- Birth name
- Georg Albert Ruthenberg
- Birthplace
- Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Instrument
- Guitar, vocals
- Occupation
- Musician, songwriter
- Genre
- Alternative rock
- punk rock
- hardcore punk
- death rock
- grunge
- post-grunge
- Current member of
- Foo Fighters
- Past member of
- Germs
- Nirvana
- Vagina Dentata
- Twisted Roots
- 45 Grave
- Adolescents
- Sound City Players
Facts from the source article.
Background
Smear grew up in West Los Angeles, took piano lessons as a child and taught himself guitar. At an alternative school within University High School he met singer Darby Crash, and in 1976 the two formed the Germs with bassist Lorna Doom and drummer Dottie Danger, the pseudonym of Belinda Carlisle. He has named Joan Jett, Brian James, Brian May and Steve Jones among his influences.
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