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Josh Klinghoffer
Klinghoffer playing guitar onstage
Klinghoffer performing with Red Hot Chili Peppers at Rock im Park 2016
Background information
Birth name Josh Adam Klinghoffer
Also known as Pluralone
Born (1979-10-03) October 3, 1979 (age 45)
Origin Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
Years active 1995–present

Josh Adam Klinghoffer, born on October 3, 1979, is a talented American musician. He is widely known for being the guitarist for the famous rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019. During his time with the band, he helped create two studio albums, I'm with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016).

Josh is a multi-instrumentalist, meaning he can play many different instruments, including guitar, drums, bass, and keyboards. He also sings and writes songs. After leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he became a touring musician for other big bands like Pearl Jam (starting in 2021) and Jane's Addiction (in 2023). He also leads his own band called Dot Hacker.

A cool fact about Josh is that he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2012. At 32 years old, he was the youngest person ever inducted at that time! Besides his band work, Josh also releases his own music under the name Pluralone.

Becoming a Musician

Josh Klinghoffer started playing music at a young age. He took drum lessons when he was nine years old. He then taught himself how to play the guitar and keyboards, showing his natural talent for music.

Early Music Adventures

Josh left school at 15 to focus on music. He quickly became involved in the music scene in Los Angeles. In 1997, when he was 17, Josh joined a band called the Bicycle Thief. This was his first experience recording an album, called You Come and Go Like a Pop Song.

In 1999, The Bicycle Thief even opened shows for the Red Hot Chili Peppers during their tour for the album Californication. This was a big step for Josh's career.

Working with John Frusciante

JoshKlinghoffer
Klinghoffer performing in 2004

Josh Klinghoffer and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante started writing music together in 2002. They released an album called Shadows Collide with People in 2004, which was a John Frusciante solo album that Josh helped with.

Josh continued to work with John Frusciante on many other albums. He played drums, bass, vocals, keyboards, and guitar on several of John's solo releases. They even released an album together called A Sphere in the Heart of Silence in 2004. Josh also played drums with John Frusciante and Fugazi bassist Joe Lally in a band called Ataxia.

John Frusciante once said about Josh: "He's simply a very talented person and has been a very close friend for the past four years. He's one of the very few people who I really like to spend a lot of time with."

Playing with Golden Shoulders

Josh has also played with the band Golden Shoulders since 2002. He played bass guitar on their first two albums, Let My Burden Be (2002) and Friendship Is Deep (2004). He continued to contribute to their music over the years, playing various instruments.

Joining Gnarls Barkley

From 2006 to 2008, Josh toured and recorded with the band Gnarls Barkley. He played on their second album, The Odd Couple (2008). He even opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their Stadium Arcadium tour while playing with Gnarls Barkley.

Starting Dot Hacker

In 2008, Josh started his own band called Dot Hacker. He is the main songwriter, singer, rhythm guitarist, and pianist for the group. Their first full-length album, Inhibition, came out in 2012.

Dot Hacker released two albums in 2014, How's Your Process? (Work) and How's Your Process? (Play). They even played shows in Tokyo in 2015, which was their first time performing outside the United States. Their third album, Nº3, was released in 2017.

Becoming a Red Hot Chili Pepper

In 2007, Josh started playing with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their Stadium Arcadium tour. He added extra guitar, backing vocals, and keyboard parts.

In 2009, the Chili Peppers took a break, and when they returned, Josh joined them in the studio to work on their tenth album, I'm with You. It was later announced that Josh would officially replace John Frusciante as the band's lead guitarist.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Lollapalooza Chile 2014 (13678546523)
With Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea at Lollapalooza Chile, 2014

Josh played a big role in the album I'm with You, singing, writing music, and playing keyboards. The album was released in August 2011. In April 2012, Josh was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

In 2015, Josh and the Chili Peppers started working on their eleventh studio album, The Getaway, which was released in June 2016. They then went on a long world tour.

On December 15, 2019, the band announced that Josh was leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers after ten years, and John Frusciante would be rejoining. The band stated, "Josh is a beautiful musician who we respect and love. We are deeply grateful for our time with him, and the countless gifts he shared with us." Josh later shared that he was not surprised by the news and felt it was "absolutely John's place to be in that band."

Solo Music as Pluralone

On August 16, 2019, Josh released his first solo song under the name Pluralone. He released his first album as Pluralone, To Be One with You, on November 22, 2019. This album featured guest appearances from Flea and Jack Irons, who are also connected to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

His second album as Pluralone, I Don't Feel Well, was released in September 2020. His third album, This Is the Show, came out in January 2022.

Touring with Pearl Jam

In January 2020, it was announced that Josh, under his Pluralone name, would open for Pearl Jam on their tour. He officially joined Pearl Jam as a touring musician in September 2021, playing multiple instruments. He also played on Eddie Vedder’s album Earthling (2022) and toured with Eddie Vedder's band, the Earthlings. In September 2023, Josh even filled in as Pearl Jam's drummer when their regular drummer couldn't perform.

Other Recent Projects

Josh Klinghoffer has continued to work with many other artists. He played on seven songs on Iggy Pop's 2022 album, Every Loser, and helped write two of the songs. He also joined Iggy Pop's backing band for live shows.

He collaborated with Chad Smith and Flea on Morrissey's album Bonfire of Teenagers. In 2023, Josh became the touring guitarist for Jane's Addiction, filling in for their longtime member Dave Navarro. He even received a writing credit on Jane's Addiction's 2024 song, "True Love."

Josh also produced and performed on Redd Kross's 2024 album. He and Chad Smith also played as the backing band for Elton John and Brandi Carlile's 2025 studio album, Who Believes in Angels?.

Instruments and Sound

Josh Klinghoffer uses many different instruments, but he especially likes Fender Stratocaster guitars.

Guitars He Uses

On tour, Josh often uses these guitars:

Guitar Effects

Josh uses many different effects pedals to shape his guitar sound. Some of these include:

  • Delay pedals (like Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man, Boss DM-2, DD-3, DD-6)
  • Reverb pedals (like Holy Grail Nano, Boss RV-5)
  • Distortion and fuzz pedals (like Death by Audio Interstellar Overdriver, Boss DS-2, JHS Firefly Fuzz)
  • Other unique effects like vibrato, chorus, and filters.

Amplifiers

For his live sound, Josh typically uses two amplifiers: a 1970s Marshall Major for the lower sounds and a Fender Tone-Master for the higher sounds.

Tours and Performances

Josh has toured with many different artists and bands throughout his career:

Music Releases

Here are some of the main music projects Josh Klinghoffer has been a part of:

  • As Josh Klinghoffer
    • Bob and the Monster Original Score (2013)
  • As Pluralone
    • "Io Sono Quel Che Sono b/w Menina Mulher Da Pele Preta" (2019)
    • To Be One with You (2019)
    • "You Don't Know What You're Doing b/w Overflowing" (2020)
    • "Obscene b/w Fairy Tale" (2020)
    • "Nowhere I Am b/w Directrix" (2020)
    • I Don't Feel Well (2020)
    • Mother Nature (EP, 2021)
    • This Is the Show (2022)
    • Under the Banner of Heaven (Original FX Limited Series Soundtrack) (2022) with Jeff Ament
  • With Dot Hacker
    • Dot Hacker (EP, 2012)
    • Inhibition (2012)
    • How's Your Process? (Work) (2014)
    • How's Your Process? (Play) (2014)
    • Nº3 (2017)
  • With Red Hot Chili Peppers
    • I'm with You (2011)
    • I'm Beside You (2013)
    • The Getaway (2016)
  • With John Frusciante
    • Shadows Collide with People (2004)
    • The Will to Death (2004)
    • Automatic Writing as Ataxia (2004)
    • Inside of Emptiness (2004)
    • A Sphere in the Heart of Silence (2004)
    • AW II as Ataxia (2007)
    • The Empyrean (2009)
  • With The Bicycle Thief and Thelonious Monster
    • You Come and Go Like a Pop Song as the Bicycle Thief (1999)
    • California Clam Chowder as Thelonious Monster (2004)
  • With Golden Shoulders
    • Let My Burden Be (2002)
    • Friendship Is Deep (2004)
    • Get Reasonable (2009)
    • Could This Be the End (2019)

See also

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