Josh Klinghoffer

Josh Klinghoffer
Josh Klinghoffer performing with Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on August 22, 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Josh Adam Klinghoffer
Born	(1979-10-03) October 3, 1979
Origin	Los Angeles, California
Genres	Experimental rock, alternative rock, avant-garde, electronica, art rock, funk rock
Occupations	Musician, songwriter, producer
Instruments	Guitar, drums, synthesizer, keyboards, organ, piano, bass, vocals, cello, banjo, double bass, flute, marimba, accordion, trumpet, tuba, vibraphone
Years active	1996–present
Associated acts	Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dot Hacker, John Frusciante, Ataxia, The Bicycle Thief, Thelonious Monster, Gnarls Barkley, Sparks
Notable instruments
Fender Stratocaster Fender Telecaster Gibson Firebird Gretsch White Penguin Gibson ES-335 Fender Jaguar JB_Hutto_Montgomery_Airline Fender Bass VI

Josh Adam Klinghoffer (born October 3, 1979) is an American multi-instrumentalist, who is best known as the current guitarist for the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Klinghoffer replaced his friend and frequent collaborator John Frusciante, who left the band in 2009. Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on April 14, 2012, becoming the Hall of Fame's youngest-ever inductee.

Klinghoffer also fronts Dot Hacker, and was a member of Ataxia (alongside Frusciante) and The Bicycle Thief. He most commonly plays guitar or drums, and sings backup as well as lead. He has also both recorded and toured as a session musician with Gnarls Barkley, Sparks, PJ Harvey, Beck, The Butthole Surfers, Golden Shoulders and Vincent Gallo amongst others.

Life and career

Early career and The Bicycle Thief (1995–2001)

Dropping out of formal education at the age of 15, Klinghoffer became involved in performing and recording music in Los Angeles at an early age. Klinghoffer describes himself at this time as "[the] little music dork who lived around the corner, dropped out of high school, and was just playing guitar all day long." In 1997, at the age of seventeen, Klinghoffer joined The Bicycle Thief, the then-current project from former Thelonious Monster frontman Bob Forrest. Red Hot Chili Peppers vocalist Anthony Kiedis noted that, "Bob [Forrest] has always had a very keen sensibility about finding extremely talented and down-to-earth people who just want to get to a kitchen and write a song." The band's subsequent studio album, You Come and Go Like a Pop Song, marked Klinghoffer's first recording experience. Regarding bandmate Forrest's notorious drug addiction, which arguably stalled Thelonious Monster's commercial success, Klinghoffer stated at this time that he: "Pretty much had enough confidence in myself to know that I wasn't gonna be 'the next Bob Forrest'."

In 2000, The Bicycle Thief opened for Red Hot Chili Peppers, as they toured in support of their seventh studio album, Californication.

John Frusciante and Ataxia (2002–2004)

Klinghoffer and then-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante began writing together in 2002, with the hopes of recording and releasing an album under a band name. This album was eventually released as a John Frusciante solo release in 2004, entitled Shadows Collide with People. Regarding this decision, Frusciante stated:

“

We had written the song "Omission" together and this song came about through collaboration. He played keyboard and I played guitar and both of us had the ideas for the vocals. [...] We sat there and scribbled our parts onto a piece of paper and when we were ready we got back together again and sung our ideas together and they fit perfectly. At that time we thought that we'd do many songs together, just like this one. As time went by, this album became more of a solo album with which he's helping me. [...] We'll do further projects where we'll work together, but we realized that these were my songs and it therefore had to be a solo album.

”

During the first six months of 2004, Klinghoffer continued to assist Frusciante in the studio. Klinghoffer's drums, bass, vocals, keyboards, and/or guitar can be heard on the full-length albums The Will to Death, Inside of Emptiness, and more recently in 2009's The Empyrean. 2004's A Sphere in the Heart of Silence is also credited to both musicians, and features several tracks with Klinghoffer on vocals, lead guitar, synthesizers and sequencing. He plays drums along with Frusciante and Fugazi bassist Joe Lally in Automatic Writing and AW II, under the name Ataxia. AW II features "The Empty's Response", a track previously released as a solo Klinghoffer track via his MySpace.

Frusciante commented on his relationship with Klinghoffer in 2004 stating: "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. In many respects he's the person who is closest to me, and with whom I can speak honestly about everything. His opinion is very important to me and I value it a lot."

In 2004, Klinghoffer also appeared on former bandmate Bob Forrest's latest studio album with Thelonious Monster, California Clam Chowder.

Dot Hacker (2008—present)

Klinghoffer founded his own band, Dot Hacker, in 2008, where he holds the position of primary songwriter, singer, rhythm guitarist and pianist. In 2012, they released their first full length album, Inhibition. The title track to Inhibition was first played in a Bob Forrest radio show. A previously unreleased track, "Rewire", is also included in the digital-only 4-song Dot Hacker EP.

Klinghoffer and Dot Hacker will perform eleven shows in California and Nevada in June 2013 with plans of more tour dates possibly in the works.

Red Hot Chili Peppers (2007–present)

In 2007, Klinghoffer played with Red Hot Chili Peppers on the final few legs of their Stadium Arcadium tour, playing additional guitar, backing vocals, and keyboard parts alongside the band. This tour would ultimately be John Frusciante's last with the band, and Klinghoffer's first. On May 8, 2009, amidst confusion as to whether Frusciante still remained within Red Hot Chili Peppers, Klinghoffer, Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith, Ron Wood and Ivan Neville performed under the name, The Insects, at a MusiCares in honor of Kiedis's commitment to helping those struggling with addiction and recovery.

In 2009, the Red Hot Chili Peppers ended a two-year hiatus, and were joined by Klinghoffer in the studio to begin work on their tenth album, I'm With You. At the time, unbeknownst to the public, Frusciante had already quit the band earlier that year however had yet to announce his departure. In January 2010, Klinghoffer performed with the band for the first time as their lead guitarist at a MusiCares tribute event to Neil Young for a performance of Young's "A Man Needs a Maid." It was later revealed he would permanently replace Frusciante as guitarist. Klinghoffer was officially named the replacement for John Frusciante in early 2010. Regarding his entry into the band, Klinghoffer notes, "I've always been attracted to the idea of a tight-knit unit, a band of family, a brotherhood. Since my earliest memory, they always seemed like a band with a lot of love for each other."

In May 2010, Klinghoffer along with Flea performed the United States national anthem at a Lakers home playoff game during the NBA Western Conference Finals series against the Phoenix Suns.

After eleven months of writing and rehearsing, the Chili Peppers began recording their new album on September 13, 2010. According to drummer Chad Smith, Klinghoffer also sang, wrote music and played keyboards on the upcoming album. Recording for the new album was completed on March 18, 2011 and was in the process of being mixed. The album, now called I'm with You, was released on August 29, 2011. The band's first single off the new album was "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie".

In 2011, Klinghoffer wrote and performed the original score for the documentary Bob and the Monster. Klinghoffer also appears in the documentary, which is based on the life and career of musician and drug counselor Bob Forrest. Klinghoffer was said to have recorded on at least one track on former Jane's Addiction bassist Eric Avery's second solo album, however LIFE.TIME. did not include it. On July 10, 2011, Klinghoffer appeared at the 2011 School of Rock's Rock the House Tour which also featured Keith Morris and Page Hamilton. Klinghoffer joined the School of Rock kids on stage to perform Red Hot Chili Peppers songs "Dani California" and "Give It Away". This was the first time he performed any of the Chili Peppers' songs live since officially joining the band as their guitarist.

In April 2012, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. At 32 years of age, Klinghoffer is the youngest artist ever inducted, passing Stevie Wonder, who was 38 when he was inducted.

The band's highly successful I'm with You World Tour lasted from 2011-2013. During the band's August 12, 2012 show, Klinghoffer was performing and broke his foot during the show. Following the performance he was placed in a walking boot. Klinghoffer would also be forced to use a chair, when needed, for some of the performances until the foot properly healed. None of the band's dates were postponed or cancelled due to Klinghoffer's injury. Klinghoffer's first world tour as a member of the band officially came to an end in April 2013 and other than a handful of dates with the band in the Summer of 2013, recording of their eleventh studio album is expected to begin in September 2013.

Personal life

Josh is distantly related to Leon Klinghoffer who was murdered by terrorists aboard Achille Lauro in 1985. According to Josh, Leon was a fourth or fifth cousin of his grandfather.

Josh met John Frusciante while recording music for Bob Forrest's band The Bicycle Thief's album. John came in to record a solo and they began to hang out. He would visit John's house and they would listen to music. Coincidentally, it was Forrest who first auditioned Frusciante back in 1988 before RHCP "stole" him from Forrest.

Discography

with The Bicycle Thief

• You Come and Go Like a Pop Song (1999)

with Golden Shoulders

• Let My Burden Be (2002)
• Friendship Is Deep (2004)
• Get Reasonable (2009)

with John Frusciante

• Shadows Collide With People (2004)
• The Will to Death (2004)
• Inside of Emptiness (2004)
• A Sphere in the Heart of Silence (2004) (credited to both Frusciante and Klinghoffer)
• The Empyrean (2009)

with Ataxia

• Automatic Writing (2004)
• AW II (2007)

with Warpaint

• Exquisite Corpse (2008)

with Red Hot Chili Peppers

• I'm with You (2011)
• Official Bootlegs (2011-2012)
• 2011 Live EP (2012)
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP (2012)
• I'm with You Sessions (2012-2013)

with Dot Hacker

• Inhibition (2012)
• Dot Hacker EP (2012)

Other appearances

• Song Yet to be Sung – Perry Farrell (2001)
• Blowback – Tricky (2001)
• California Clam Chowder – Thelonious Monster (2004)
• The Roads Don't Love You – Gemma Hayes (2005)
• Modern Folk and Blues: Wednesday – Bob Forrest (2006)
• Dog Problems – The Format (2006)
• The Peel Sessions 1991-2004 – PJ Harvey (2006)
• A Loveletter to the Transformer, Pt. 1 The Diary of IC Explura (2007)
• Nun Lover! – Spleen (2007)
• The Deep Blue – Charlotte Hatherley (2007)
• Stainless Style – Neon Neon (2008)
• The Odd Couple - Gnarls Barkley (2008)
• The Blue God – Martina Topley-Bird (2008)
• Chains - Pocahaunted (2008)
• The Silence of Love – Headless Heroes (2008)
• The Last Laugh – Joker's Daughter (2009)
• Bambi Lee Savage – "GJ and the PimpKillers" (2009)
• Pop Killer – Paul Oakenfold (2010)

Tours

• The Bicycle Thief (Guitar, 2000)
• Vincent Gallo (Guitar, Bass, Piano, 2001)
• Butthole Surfers (Guitar, 2001)
• Beck (Guitar, 2003)
• Golden Shoulders (Bass, 2003)
• PJ Harvey (Guitar, Drums, 2004)
• Sparks (Guitar, 2006-2008)
• Gnarls Barkley (Guitar & Synthesizer, 2006–2008, Vocals, 2008)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers (Guitar, Vocals, Synthesizer, Drums & Percussion, 2007-present)

Equipment

as per Rig Rundown for the 2012 I'm With You tour:

Guitars

• '63 Fender Stratocaster – Tobacco Sunburst. Uses on tracks like Higher Ground and Emit Remmus
• '66 Fender Stratocaster "Nero" – Black with '68 neck. Is Klinghoffer's main strat for the show.
• '74 Fender Hardtail Stratocaster "Gus" (after King Gustaf of Sweden) – Black. Is

Klinghoffer's backup to his main strat.

• '59 'Fender Stratocaster' Surnbust
• Gretsch White Penguin "Pingu" – Californication-era; Ex. Otherside and Californication
• Gibson ES-335 – c. early 70's for "Universally Speaking", "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" (Neil Young Cover), "Brendan's Death Song" and "Dance, Dance, Dance.
• '67 Fender Telecaster – a gift from Frusciante. Uses it on Around the World
• '64 Fender Jaguar – custom-color, uses on tracks with Hi-Gain/Tremelo. Usually uses it on Wet Sand.
• Gibson Firebird (12-string) Sometimes uses it on the Encore Jam
• Fender Coronado (12-string) – Burnt Orange. Tuned to dropped half step for "Breaking the Girl."
• Relic'd '56 "Fools Telemaster" – JMT PMP001
• Late 60's Fender Banjoline prototype

Strings and Gauges

• D'Addario (.11-.49) for "Pingu"
• D'Addario standard 12-string sets for Firebird and Coronado
• D'Addario (.10-.46) for all other guitars

Picks

• Dunlop Tortex – .60mm (Orange)

Amps

Uses a three-amp setup:

• Marshall Major
• Silvertone
• Fender Super Six

Pedals/Effects

Over 30 different pedals including:

• Boss Corporation (12): TU-2 Tuner, DS-1, Analog Delay, DD-3 (clipped repeats), Vibrato (for "Suck My Kiss"), CE-2 x2, SG-1 Slow Gear, RV-5, DD-6 (cascading repeats), CS-2 compressor
• Electro-Harmonix (5): Deluxe Memory Man, Deluxe Memory Man Tap Tempo, Cathedral, Freeze, Holy Grail
• Moog Music (2): Low-pass filter, 12-stage phaser (used for "Throw Away Your Television")
• Line 6 (2): FM4 (synth sounds), DL4
• Wilson (2): Effects Fuzz, Effects Haze
• Ibanez (1): WH10
• Marshall (1): Guv'nor
• Pigtronix (1): PolySaturator (x1)
• Lastgasp (1): Labs Cybertronic (high-end, whispy filter)
• Lo-Tech-N-Fi-Bot (1): Pocket Synth
• Bright Onion (1): looper (killswitch)
• Framptone (1): 3-banger amp switcher

Klinghoffer makes use of a Bright Onion Pedals switcher to bypass entire boards or individual pedals in of problems. The whole system is run using the Shure UR-4D Wireless system.

External links

• Josh Klinghoffer Fansite
• The Bicycle Thief on Myspace
• Dot Hacker on Myspace