Pat Smear

Pat Smear
Pat Smear
	Smear performing in 2023
Background information
Birth name	Georg Albert Ruthenberg
Born	August 5, 1959 (age 64); Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock; punk rock; hardcore punk; death rock; grunge; post-grunge;
Occupation(s)	Musician; songwriter;
Instrument(s)	Guitar
Years active	1976–present
Member of	Foo Fighters
Formerly of	Germs; Nirvana; Vagina Dentata; Twisted Roots; 45 Grave; The Adolescents; Sound City Players;

Georg Albert Ruthenberg (born August 5, 1959), better known by his stage name Pat Smear, is an American musician. He is best known for being the lead guitarist and co-founder of Los Angeles–based punk band The Germs and for being a rhythm guitarist for grunge band Nirvana (which he joined as a touring guitarist in 1993), and Foo Fighters (with whom he has recorded six studio albums). After Nirvana disbanded following the suicide of its frontman Kurt Cobain, drummer Dave Grohl went on to become the frontman of Foo Fighters with Smear joining on guitar. Smear left Foo Fighters in 1997 before rejoining as a touring guitarist in 2005 and being promoted back to a full-time member in 2010.