Pat Smear

Pat Smear
Smear performing with Foo Fighters in 2017
Background information
Birth name	Georg Albert Ruthenberg
Born	(1959-08-05) August 5, 1959 (age 65) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock punk rock hardcore punk death rock grunge post-grunge
Occupations	Musician songwriter
Instrument(s)	Guitar, vocals
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 was the lead guitarist and co-founder of Los Angeles–based punk band The Germs and a rhythm guitarist for grunge band Nirvana (which he joined as a touring guitarist in 1993). After Nirvana disbanded following the suicide of frontman Kurt Cobain, drummer Dave Grohl went on to form Foo Fighters, with Smear joining on guitar. Smear left the band in 1997 before rejoining as a touring guitarist in 2005 and being promoted back to a full-time member in 2010.