Pat Smear

Pat Smear is the stage name of Georg Albert Ruthenberg, an American rock guitarist and musician born in Los Angeles in 1959.

Pat Smear is the stage name of Georg Albert Ruthenberg, an American rock guitarist and musician born in Los Angeles in 1959. He is best known for founding the punk band the Germs and for his work with Nirvana and Foo Fighters. His long-running role in Foo Fighters, a major rock act that has toured extensively in Canada, makes him relevant to Canadian audiences.

Early life and stage name

Pat Smear was born as Georg Albert Ruthenberg in Los Angeles, California, on August 5, 1959. His stage name is said to derive from the term “pap smear,” which he encountered in school and found memorable.

The Germs

Smear co-founded the Los Angeles punk band the Germs and served as its lead guitarist. The Germs became one of the best-known groups associated with the early Southern California punk scene.

Work with Nirvana and Foo Fighters

Smear toured with Nirvana as a guitarist during the band's later period in the early 1990s. He joined Foo Fighters in 1994, left in 1997, returned as a touring guitarist in 2005, and became a full-time member again in 2010.

Other work

Beyond his best-known band roles, Smear has also been credited as an actor in film databases. He is primarily recognized for his guitar work in punk, rock, and grunge contexts.