Pat Smear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pat Smear
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Smear performing in 2023
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Georg Albert Ruthenberg |
| Born | August 5, 1959 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1976–present |
Georg Albert Ruthenberg (born August 5, 1959), known as Pat Smear, is an American musician. He helped start the punk band The Germs in Los Angeles. He was also a guitarist for the grunge band Nirvana. He joined Nirvana as a touring musician in 1993.
After Nirvana ended, drummer Dave Grohl formed Foo Fighters. Smear joined Foo Fighters as a guitarist. He left the band in 1997. Later, he rejoined as a touring guitarist in 2005. By 2010, he became a full-time member again.
Contents
Early Life and School
Georg Ruthenberg was born and grew up in West Los Angeles, California. His mother had African-American and Native American roots. His father was a Jewish German immigrant. Pat started piano lessons when he was young. A few years later, he taught himself to play the guitar.
He went to an alternative school called Innovative Program School (IPS). It was part of University High School. There, he met Darby Crash. They would later form the band The Germs. Smear and Crash were both asked to leave IPS. This was because school officials worried they were causing trouble.
Music Career Highlights
Starting with The Germs (1976–1980)
Pat Smear was inspired by guitarists like Joan Jett and Steve Jones. In 1976, as a teenager, he formed The Germs. He started the band with Darby Crash, Lorna Doom, and Dottie Danger. Dottie Danger was actually Belinda Carlisle, who later became famous with The Go-Go's. Smear was the only one in the band who knew how to play music well.
Belinda Carlisle soon left and Don Bolles became the drummer. In 1979, The Germs released their first album, (GI). Joan Jett produced this album. Today, it is seen as a very important punk rock album. Smear received praise for his guitar playing on it. His guitar parts were described as "pure punk."
The Germs and Smear appeared in a punk movie called The Decline of Western Civilization (1981). Darby Crash died before the movie came out. This led to the band breaking up.
Other Bands and Acting (1981–1992)
After The Germs, Smear played in other bands. In 1981, he played with Twisted Roots. He also briefly joined the Adolescents. Smear was also in the band 45 Grave for a short time. They recorded some songs, including "Black Cross."
During this time, Pat Smear also acted in small roles. He appeared in TV shows like Quincy, M.E. and CHiPs. He was also in movies such as Blade Runner and Howard the Duck. While working on the movie Breakin', he became friends with Courtney Love. He also appeared in the music video for Prince's song "Raspberry Beret."
Smear also released two solo albums. The first was Ruthensmear in 1987. The second was So You Fell in Love with a Musician... in 1992.
Joining Nirvana (1993–1994)
In 1993, Kurt Cobain, the singer for Nirvana, called Smear. He asked Smear to join the band as a second guitarist for their upcoming tour. Smear thought it was a joke at first. But Courtney Love had told him Cobain might call. Smear said yes right away.
His first show with Nirvana was on Saturday Night Live on September 25, 1993. He toured with Nirvana for about six months. Smear is on their live albums MTV Unplugged in New York and From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah. He also appears on other Nirvana collections.
With Foo Fighters (1994–1997)
After Kurt Cobain's death, Nirvana's drummer Dave Grohl started a new band. This band became known as Foo Fighters. Smear joined the group when it began in late 1994. The Foo Fighters' first album was recorded by Grohl alone. So, Smear's first album with the band was The Colour and the Shape in 1997.
Soon after this album came out, Smear left the band. He later explained he was very tired from the band's constant touring. Grohl asked him to stay, and Smear agreed to play for a short time. He stayed until a new guitarist could be found. Franz Stahl eventually joined to replace him. Smear announced his departure during a live show at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards.
Break and Return to Foo Fighters (1997–Present)
Smear kept a low profile after leaving Foo Fighters. He worked as a creative consultant for a movie about The Germs. The movie was called What We Do Is Secret. It came out in 2007. In 2005, he started performing with The Germs again. Actor Shane West, who played Darby Crash in the movie, sang for them.
In late 2005, Smear started playing some shows with Foo Fighters again. He played with them on and off for five years as a touring musician. He was on their acoustic album, Skin and Bones (2006). He also played guitar on the song "Let It Die" from their 2007 album.
In August 2010, Foo Fighters began recording their seventh album, Wasting Light. Smear was part of the recording sessions. A press release confirmed he was a full member of the band again. This made him the band's third guitarist. The album came out on April 12, 2011. It was the first Foo Fighters album with Smear as an official member since 1997. Wasting Light was a huge success. It reached number one in many countries. It also won the Best Rock Album award.
Smear continued with the band on their next album, Sonic Highways (2014). Each song on this album was written and recorded in a different U.S. city. This process was filmed for a TV show called Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways. The show was on HBO.
In 2017, Foo Fighters released Concrete and Gold. Smear played guitar on all songs. Their tenth album, Medicine at Midnight, came out in 2021. It won three Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album. In 2021, Foo Fighters were chosen for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Smear was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Foo Fighters on October 30, 2021.
Smear also appeared with his bandmates in the comedy horror movie, Studio 666. The film was released in February 2022.
Nirvana Reunions
Pat Smear has reunited with the surviving members of Nirvana several times. On August 29, 1997, Krist Novoselic (Nirvana bassist) joined Smear and Dave Grohl on stage. This was during a Foo Fighters show. They played a cover of Prince's "Purple Rain."
On December 22, 2010, the remaining Nirvana members played together again. This was at a Foo Fighters show in California. It was recorded for a documentary.
On December 12, 2012, Smear, Novoselic, and Grohl reunited for a benefit concert. It was called Live Aid Hurricane Sandy. This time, Paul McCartney sang with them. They performed a song called "Cut Me Some Slack." They played it again on Saturday Night Live a few days later.
On April 11, 2014, Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Smear joined Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic on stage. They performed Nirvana songs with singers like Joan Jett and Lorde. They reunited again in October 2018 for a concert in California.
Musical Gear
For a long time, Pat Smear mostly used Hagström guitars. He even worked with the company to create his own signature guitar. Now, Smear mainly uses Gibson guitars. He often plays classic models like a White SG Custom or a Les Paul. He also uses a Gibson Barney Kessel model guitar with the Foo Fighters.
For the MTV Unplugged in New York show, Smear used an acoustic guitar. It was a Buck Owens American guitar that belonged to Krist Novoselic.
Personal Life
According to a 2011 documentary, Pat Smear was married at that time. He also has at least one child.
Selected Discography
With the Germs
- Forming/Sexboy (1977)
- Lexicon Devil (1978)
- (GI) (1979)
- The Decline of Western Civilization Soundtrack (1980)
- What We Do Is Secret (1981)
- Live at the Whisky, First Show Ever (1981)
- Germicide (1985)
- (MIA) The Complete Anthology (1993)
With The Martyrs
- Pig Pen Victim / Social Sacrifice (7") (1979)
With 45 Grave
- Black Cross/Wax (1981)
With Twisted Roots
- Pretentiawhat (1981)
- Twisted Roots (Comp.) (2004)
With Tater Totz
- Alien Sleestacks From Brazil (Unfinished Music Volume 3) (1988)
- Mono! Stereo: Sgt. Shonen's Exploding Plastic Eastman Band Request (1989)
- Tater Comes Alive! (Tot Live! If You Want It!) (1992)
With Gary Celebrity
- Diary Of A Monster (1992)
Solo
- Ruthensmear (1987)
- "Lazybones" – Every Band Has A Shonen Knife Who Loves Them (Various Artists Shonen Knife Tribute Comp.) (1989)
- So You Fell in Love with a Musician... (1992)
With Deathfolk
- Deathfolk (1989)
- Deathfolk II (1992)
With Belinda Carlisle
- Real (1993)
With Hole
- Circle 1 (1993)
With Nirvana
- MTV Unplugged in New York (1994)
- From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (1996)
- Nirvana (2002)
- With the Lights Out (2004)
- In Utero 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (2013)
- Live and Loud (2013)
With Skull Control
- "Electric Church" – Radio Danger (1994)
With Mike Watt
- Ball-Hog or Tugboat? (1995)
- "Ring Spiel" Tour '95 (2016)
With Foo Fighters
- The Colour and the Shape (1997)
- Skin and Bones (2006; additional player)
- Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007; guest player on track 2)
- Live at Wembley Stadium (2008; additional)
- Wasting Light (2011)
- Sonic Highways (2014)
- Saint Cecilia (2015)
- Concrete and Gold (2017)
- Medicine at Midnight (2021)
- But Here We Are (2023)
With Paul McCartney
- "Cut Me Some Slack" (2012)
With theHell
- Southern Medicine (2013)
Images for kids
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Smear performing with Foo Fighters in 2017
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See also
In Spanish: Pat Smear para niños
