Pat Smear
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Georg Albert Ruthenberg (born August 5, 1959), better known as Pat Smear, is an American guitarist. He is best known as a guitarist in the rock band Foo Fighters, with whom he has recorded four studio albums and a live album. Smear was also a founding member of the influential punk band Germs, and was the additional live rhythm guitarist for the grunge band Nirvana.
Smear also appeared regularly on the MTV fashion show House of Style with Cindy Crawford.
Early life
Georg Ruthenberg was born and raised in West Los Angeles, to a mother of African-American and Native American descent, and a German immigrant father. His parents forced him to take piano lessons at a young age, and a few years later, he began teaching himself to play the guitar. He lists his influences as Joan Jett, Brian James, Brian May, and Steve Jones.
Career
Germs (1977–1980)
As a teenager in 1977, Smear and Darby Crash formed the Germs with bassist Lorna Doom and drummer Dottie Danger (the pseudonym of Belinda Carlisle, who went on to front The Go-Go's).