Chris Shiflett

Chris Shiflett
Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters
Background information
Birth name	Christopher Aubrey Shiflett
Born	May 6, 1971 (1971-05-06)
Origin	Santa Barbara, California, USA
Genres	Alternative rock, punk rock, post-grunge
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1988-present
Labels	RCA
Associated acts	Foo Fighters, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, No Use for a Name, Jackson United, Viva Death, The Real McCoy, Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants

Christopher Aubrey "Chris" Shiflett (born May 6, 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.

Career

Shiflett was the resident lead guitarist for the San Francisco Bay Area punk rock band No Use for a Name, when a friend announced that Guns N' Roses was auditioning for a guitarist. Shiflett asked his friend to instead get him an audition for the Foo Fighters, that after recording There Is Nothing Left to Lose as a trio held open auditions to hire another guitarist. Dave Grohl said part of his motivation to hire Shiflett was that he had a history in the underground punk scene, including opening for Grohl's former band Scream as part of the group Rat Pack. After being hired, Shiflett played on the tour for There Is Nothing Left to Lose, and all subsequent studio albums starting with One by One. Shiflett has declared that he was afraid of being fired even before he started to play with the band, as previous guitarist Pat Smear had declared interest to rejoin (Smear eventually got back with the band as a fifth member in 2005).

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. In 2011, Shiflett performed at the 2011 Wisconsin protests in Madison. He also performed at the Anti War rally for the A.N.S.W.E.R coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism).Shifflett performed at the opening rally at the one and a half mile march from from Hollywood and Vine to Hollywood and Highland March 19th 2011

Shiflett is married with Cara Shiflett and has three sons, Liam John, Dashiell Ellis and Eamon Riley.

Equipment

Guitars

Shiflett uses various Gibsons, and Gretschs.

• Gretsch Brian Setzer Black Phoenix
• Gretsch ’59 Nashville reissue
• Gibson ES-135
• Gibson ES-347
• Gibson ES-335
• Gibson SG Custom
• Gibson Les Paul Custom
• Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
• Gibson Les Paul Junior
• Gibson Les Paul Standard
• Gibson Firebird
• Fender Telecaster
• Fender Stratocaster
• 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 guitar

Effects

• EHX Micro POG
• Fulltone Fulldrive 2 Mosfet
• BOSS TU-3 Chromatic Tuner / Power Supply
• Dunlop DVP1 Volume pedal
• Whirlwind A/B Selector
• Line 6 M13 Stompbox Modeler (Wasting Light Tour)

Amplifers

• Vox AC30 x2
• Fender Bassman

Discography

Shiflett at the 2003 V Festival.

See also: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes discography and Foo Fighters 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!
• 2001: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Blow in the Wind
• 2001: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Turn Japanese
• 2002: Foo Fighters - One by One
• 2003: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Take a Break
• 2004: Jackson United - Western Ballads
• 2004: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah
• 2005: Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
• 2006: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Love Their Country
• 2006: Viva Death - One Percent Panic
• 2007: Jesse Malin - Glitter In The Gutter (additional guitar on "Prisoners Of Paradise")
• 2007: Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
• 2008: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Have Another Ball
• 2008: Jackson United - Harmony and Dissidence
• 2010: Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants - Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants
• 2011: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Go Down Under
• 2011: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Sing In Japanese
• 2011: Foo Fighters - Wasting Light