Chris Shiflett
Encyclopedia
Christopher Aubrey "Chris" Shiflett (born May 16, 1971 in Santa Barbara, California
) is best known as the lead guitarist
for the rock
band Foo Fighters
as well as the punk rock cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
. He is the younger brother of musician Scott Shiflett
.
. The first album he played on was One by One. Prior to joining the Foo Fighters, Shiflett was resident lead guitarist for the San Francisco Bay Area
punk rock
band No Use for a Name
. The Foo Fighters had lost both of their previous guitarists, Pat Smear
(who played in punk legends The Germs
and had been Nirvana
's touring guitarist) and his Foos replacement, Dave Grohl
's former Scream
bandmate Franz Stahl
, and were holding open auditions. Seeing an opportunity that he knew he could not pass up, he quickly parted ways with his former band to audition.
His departure was abrupt, as No Use for a Name were just about to head out on tour in support of their then-recent album More Betterness!
. He was replaced by Dave Nassie, who had previously contributed to Suicidal Tendencies
lead singer "Cyco" Mike Muir's solo projects.
Shiflett began his music career in another band called Lost Kittenz with current members of Sugarcult
. He also currently plays in the punk rock
cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
, his own side-project, Jackson United
as well as Viva Death
with his brother Scott. For numerous projects, Shiflett performed under the name Jake Jackson.
Shiflett, after being in cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
, has a tattoo
on the inside of his bottom lip with the words "Gimme Gimme".
In 2009 Shiflett played in a band called The Real McCoy, which was founded by Andy McCoy
, the guitarist of the former Finnish
rock band Hanoi Rocks
. The band split up after only three gigs.
In 2010 Shiflett created a new country
-oriented side project, Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants
, releasing a self-titled album in July.
Shiflett is married and has three sons, Liam John, Dashiell Ellis and Eamon Riley.
Shiflett uses various Gibson
s, and Gretsch
s.
Effects
Amplifers
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
) is best known as the lead guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
for the rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
as well as the punk rock cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
. He is the younger brother of musician Scott Shiflett
Scott Shiflett
Scott David Shiflett is a bassist. He plays with the band Face to Face and is also associated with the bands Viva Death, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and Jackson United . He also played on 22 Jacks debut album Uncle Bob...
.
Career
Shiflett joined Foo Fighters after the release of their third album, There Is Nothing Left to LoseThere Is Nothing Left to Lose
Reviews for There Is Nothing Left to Lose have generally been positive. Rolling Stones Greg Kot rated the album three-and-a-half out of five stars. He started by explaining that "the first thirty seconds [...] are a bridge to singer Dave Grohl's past"...
. The first album he played on was One by One. Prior to joining the Foo Fighters, Shiflett was resident lead guitarist for the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band No Use for a Name
No Use for a Name
No Use for a Name is a punk rock band from San Jose, California, United States formed in 1987 by Chris Dodge , Steve Papoutsis , Rory Koff and John Meyers...
. The Foo Fighters had lost both of their previous guitarists, Pat Smear
Pat Smear
Pat Smear is a rock musician who has been a guitarist in several well-known bands including The Germs and Nirvana. He is currently a guitarist for the Foo Fighters...
(who played in punk legends The Germs
The Germs
The Germs are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band's early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and their most consistent drummer Don Bolles. Germs have since reformed in 2005 with Shane...
and had been Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
's touring guitarist) and his Foos replacement, Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
's former Scream
Scream (band)
Scream is a hardcore punk band from Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia active from 1981 to 1990. As of 2009, the band has reunited to play several shows.-Biography:...
bandmate Franz Stahl
Franz Stahl
Franz Stahl was the guitarist of the Washington, DC hardcore punk band Scream. Stahl is the brother of Scream lead singer Peter Stahl. Stahl was also briefly a member of Foo Fighters from 1997 to 1999, replacing the band's original guitarist Pat Smear...
, and were holding open auditions. Seeing an opportunity that he knew he could not pass up, he quickly parted ways with his former band to audition.
His departure was abrupt, as No Use for a Name were just about to head out on tour in support of their then-recent album More Betterness!
More Betterness!
More Betterness! is a full length album by the punk rock band No Use for a Name, released in 1999. This is the band's fourth studio record for Fat Wreck Chords.The song "Fairytale of New York" is a cover of The Pogues' famous original.-Track listing:...
. He was replaced by Dave Nassie, who had previously contributed to Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...
lead singer "Cyco" Mike Muir's solo projects.
Shiflett began his music career in another band called Lost Kittenz with current members of Sugarcult
Sugarcult
Sugarcult is an American rock band from Santa Barbara, California formed in 1998. The band currently consists of Tim Pagnotta , Airin Older , Marko DeSantis , and Kenny Livingston .-Formation :Tim Pagnotta met ex-drummer Ben Davis during a cigarette break at school...
. He also currently plays in the punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
, his own side-project, Jackson United
Jackson United
Jackson United is an American punk rock band formed by singer and lead guitarist Chris Shiflett in 2003. Shiflett recruited his older brother Scott Shiflett and Pete Parada to complete the band. A debut eponymous EP was recorded and released in 2003. Shortly after this release Parada left the band...
as well as Viva Death
Viva death
Viva Death are an American rock band formed from members of the bands Face to Face, Foo Fighters and The Vandals. They have released three albums to date and also have numerous unreleased tracks on their website...
with his brother Scott. For numerous projects, Shiflett performed under the name Jake Jackson.
Shiflett, after being in cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
, has a tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
on the inside of his bottom lip with the words "Gimme Gimme".
In 2009 Shiflett played in a band called The Real McCoy, which was founded by Andy McCoy
Andy McCoy
Antti Hulkko , better known as Andy McCoy, is a Finnish musician. He is most famous for his role as the lead guitarist and main songwriter of Hanoi Rocks, but has also played with Iggy Pop....
, the guitarist of the former Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
rock band Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
. The band split up after only three gigs.
In 2010 Shiflett created a new country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
-oriented side project, Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants
Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants
Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants is the debut self-titled album from Chris Shiflett, lead guitarist of Foo Fighters. The Dead Peasants are his second side project, following Jackson United, and the backing band is composed of different musicians than that of Jackson United.The album is a...
, releasing a self-titled album in July.
Shiflett is married and has three sons, Liam John, Dashiell Ellis and Eamon Riley.
Equipment
GuitarsShiflett uses various Gibson
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
s, and Gretsch
Gretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
s.
- GretschGretschThe Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
Brian Setzer Black PhoenixBrian SetzerBrian Setzer is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He first found widespread success in the early 1980s with the 1950s-style rockabilly revival group The Stray Cats, and revitalized his career in the late 1990s with a jazz-oriented big band.-Career:Setzer was born in Massapequa, New York... - Gretsch ’59 Nashville reissueGretschThe Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
- Gibson ES-135Gibson ES-135The Gibson ES-135 is a semi-hollow body electric guitar made by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. Originally introduced in 1956, it was discontinued in 1958...
- Gibson ES-347Gibson Guitar CorporationThe Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
- Gibson ES-335Gibson ES-335The Gibson ES-335 is the world's first commercial thinline arched-top semi-acoustic electric guitar. Released by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES series in 1958, it is neither hollow nor solid; instead, a solid wood block runs through the center of its body...
- Gibson SG CustomGibson SGAt the launch of the SG in 1961, Gibson offered four variants of the SG; the SG Junior , the SG Special, the SG Standard, and the top-of-the-line SG Custom. However, Gibson's current core variants as of 2010 are the SG Standard and the SG Special...
- Gibson Les Paul CustomGibson Les PaulThe Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
- Gibson Les Paul GoldtopGibson Les PaulThe Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
- Gibson Les Paul JuniorGibson Les Paul JuniorThe Gibson Les Paul Jr. is a solid body electric guitar introduced in 1954 as an affordable, entry level Les Paul. It was first released with a single cut body style however models with a double cut body style were later introduced in 1958.-History:...
- Gibson Les Paul StandardGibsonGibson may refer to:* Gibson Amphitheatre* Gibson Appliance* Gibson Girl* Gibson Guitar Corporation* Gibson * Gibson Generating Station-Places:In the United States:* Gibson, Arkansas* Gibson, Georgia* Gibson, Iowa* Gibson, Louisiana...
- Gibson FirebirdGibson FirebirdThe Gibson Firebird is a solid-body electric guitar manufactured by Gibson from 1963 to the present.-History:The Gibson Guitar Corporation released several new styles during the 1950s to compete with Fender's instruments, such as the Telecaster and Stratocaster. After success with the Les Paul in...
- Fender TelecasterFender TelecasterThe Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
- Fender StratocasterFender StratocasterThe Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
- Warmoth Telecaster Deluxe
- shifty telecaster (pieced together from warmoth parts by his tech)
- shifty strat (pieced together from warmoth parts by his tech)
- Martin Acoustic guitarC. F. Martin & CompanyC.F. Martin & Company is a US guitar manufacturer established in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Martin is highly regarded for its steel-string guitars, and is a leading mass manufacturer of flattop acoustics with models that retail for thousands of dollars and vintage instruments that often...
Effects
- EHX Micro POGElectro-HarmonixElectro-Harmonix is a New York-based company that makes high-end electronic audio processors. The company was founded by Mike Matthews in 1968. They are most famous for a series of popular guitar effects pedals introduced in the 1970s and 1990s....
- Fulltone Fulldrive 2 Mosfet
- BOSS TU-3 Chromatic Tuner / Power SupplyBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
- Dunlop DVP1 Volume pedal
- Whirlwind A/B Selector
- Line 6 M13 Stompbox Modeler (Wasting Light Tour)
Amplifers
- Vox AC30Vox AC30The Vox AC30 is a guitar amplifier manufactured by Vox and known for its "jangly" high-end sound. First introduced in 1958 due to the growing demand for higher-wattage amplifiers, it became an iconic amplifier for British musicians and soon for others....
x2 - Fender BassmanFender BassmanThe Fender Bassman was a bass amplifier introduced by Fender in 1952. Although it was originally designed for bass guitars, it was frequently used for normal electric guitar in rock and roll, blues, and country bands.-History:...
Discography
- 1997: No Use for a Name - Making Friends
- 1997: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Have a Ball
- 1998: Swingin' Utters - Five Lessons Learned (lead guitar on "I Need Feedback" and "United 21")
- 1998: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Are a Drag
- 1999: No Use for a Name - More Betterness!More Betterness!More Betterness! is a full length album by the punk rock band No Use for a Name, released in 1999. This is the band's fourth studio record for Fat Wreck Chords.The song "Fairytale of New York" is a cover of The Pogues' famous original.-Track listing:...
- 2001: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Blow in the Wind
- 2001: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Turn JapaneseTurn JapaneseTurn Japanese is an EP released by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes in 2001 on Pizza of Death Records. The EP consists entirely of B-Sides to the group's 7" vinyl singles. Blowin' in the Wind would later appear on the Blow in the Wind album...
- 2002: Foo Fighters - One by One
- 2003: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Take a Break
- 2004: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Ruin Jonny's Bar MitzvahRuin Jonny's Bar MitzvahRuin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah is a live album by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, released on October 19, 2004 on Fat Wreck Chords.It was recorded live at an actual bar mitzvah party, and its runtime lasts their entire performance, including a break in which little can be heard other than the sounds of...
- 2005: Foo Fighters - In Your HonorIn Your HonorIn Your Honor is the fifth studio album by Foo Fighters, released on June 14, 2005 on BMG. It consists of two discs. The first contains up beat rock songs and the second disc contains mellower acoustic songs.-Development:...
- 2006: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Love Their CountryLove Their CountryLove Their Country is the fifth studio album, and sixth overall by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. It was released on October 17, 2006 by Fat Wreck Chords. The album consists of cover versions of country and western songs....
- 2006: Viva Death - One Percent Panic
- 2007: Jesse Malin - Glitter In The GutterGlitter in the GutterGlitter in the Gutter is singer-songwriter Jesse Malin's third studio album, released on Adeline Records on March 20, 2007. Glitter in the Gutter includes Malin's cover of The Replacements' "Bastards of Young," and the album features guest appearances from Bruce Springsteen , Jakob Dylan , Josh...
(additional guitar on "Prisoners Of Paradise") - 2007: Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & GraceEchoes, Silence, Patience & GraceThe album debuted at the top of the UK album chart, selling 135,685 albums in its first week. The album also went platinum in its first week in both Australia and New Zealand. In the U.S., it entered the Billboard 200 album chart at #3, selling 168,000 copies in its first week, and has since been...
- 2008: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Have Another Ball
- 2008: Jackson United - Harmony and DissidenceHarmony And DissidenceHarmony and Dissidence is the second full length album by Jackson United. It was released in 2008 through Magnificent Records, Acetate Records and Deck Cheese Records.-History:...
- 2010: Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants - Chris Shiflett & the Dead PeasantsChris Shiflett & the Dead PeasantsChris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants is the debut self-titled album from Chris Shiflett, lead guitarist of Foo Fighters. The Dead Peasants are his second side project, following Jackson United, and the backing band is composed of different musicians than that of Jackson United.The album is a...
- 2011: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Go Down UnderGo Down Under-Credits:* Spike Slawson – vocals* Fat Mike – bass* Chris Shiflett – lead guitar* Joey Cape – rhythm guitar* Dave Raun – drums...
- 2011: Foo Fighters - Wasting LightWasting LightWasting Light is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Foo Fighters, released April 12, 2011, on RCA Records. It was produced by Butch Vig and described by the band's lead vocalist and guitarist Dave Grohl as their "heaviest album yet." The title is taken from the lyrics of the...