Chris Shiflett

Christopher Aubrey Shiflett (/ˈʃɪflɪt/ SHIF-lit;[2] born May 6, 1971) is an American musician. He is best known as lead guitarist for the American rock band Foo Fighters, which he joined in 1999 following the release of their third album There Is Nothing Left to Lose. He was also previously a member of the punk rock bands No Use for a Name (1995–1999) and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (1995–2019).

Chris Shiflett
Shiflett in 2017
Shiflett in 2017
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Aubrey Shiflett
Born (1971-05-06) May 6, 1971
OriginSanta Barbara, California,[1] United States
GenresAlternative rock, punk rock, post-grunge, country rock, hard rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals, mandolin
Years active1982–present
LabelsRCA
Member ofFoo Fighters, Viva Death
Formerly ofMe First and the Gimme Gimmes, No Use for a Name, Jackson United, The Real McCoy, The Dead Peasants, Rat Pack
Websitechrisshiflettmusic.com

Though primarily a lead guitarist and backing vocalist, Shiflett has also fronted bands such as Jackson United and Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants. He has also made several solo albums; his fifth overall, Lost at Sea, is scheduled for release in October 2023. In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Foo Fighters.

Early life

Shiflett was born in Santa Barbara, California. He has two older brothers, Mike, and Scott, who also became a musician – best known as the bassist of the punk rock band Face to Face. When Shiflett was 11, he started learning how to play the guitar. A promising young soccer player, Shiflett played with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) from 1982–1984 under legendary coach Noemi Vazquez. Pressed to make a choice on his career, Shiflett joined his first band by the time he reached the age of 14. Shiflett is a supporter of Arsenal F.C.[3]

Career
Shiflett with Foo Fighters in 2003

Shiflett began his music career in another band called Lost Kittenz with current members of Sugarcult. He later moved on to be 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 were auditioning for a guitarist, Shiflett asked his friend to instead get him an audition for Foo Fighters, who after recording There Is Nothing Left to Lose as a trio held open auditions to hire another guitarist. Seeing an opportunity that he knew he could not pass up, he quickly parted ways with No Use for a Name to audition. His departure was abrupt, as his former band were just about to head out on tour in support of their album More Betterness!. He was replaced by Dave Nassie, who had previously contributed to Suicidal Tendencies' lead singer "Cyco" Mike Muir's solo projects.

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 bassist 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 noted several times that one of his favorite songs that he plays with Foo Fighters is "All My Life" from their fourth studio album One by One. He has said that he was afraid of being fired even before he started to play with the band, as previous guitarist Pat Smear had asked to return. Smear eventually did rejoin the band as a touring rhythm guitarist in 2005, and finally as a full-fledged fifth member in 2010.[4]

Side projects and cover bands

In addition to his full time duties with Foo Fighters, Shiflett also plays in 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. He played with the cover band Chevy Metal along with the late Foo Fighter Taylor Hawkins. They played songs from classic rock bands such as Black Sabbath, Queen, ZZ Top, and the Rolling Stones.

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.[5]

In 2010 Shiflett created a new country-oriented side project, Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants, releasing a self-titled album in July.[6] 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). Shiflett performed at the opening rally at the one and a half mile march from Hollywood and Vine to Hollywood and Highland March 19, 2011.

In 2013, Shiflett announced he would be releasing a new album with The Dead Peasants, called All Hat And No Cattle. The album of honky-tonk covers and original tracks came out on July 30, 2013 via SideOneDummy Records.

Shiflett with Foo Fighters in 2017

April 2017 saw Shiflett release West Coast Town, the first album to bare solely his name, which was a collection of original honky tonk tracks. A short North American tour accompanied the release.[7] A second solo album Hard Lessons was released on June 14, 2019. As with the first album Hard Lessons was produced by Dave Cobb.[7] His third solo album, Lost At Sea, will be released on October 20, 2023. The album's announcement came with a run of solo dates through the UK and Ireland, which were completed in March 2023.[8]

From October 2013 to December 2022, Shiflett hosted the weekly podcast Walking The Floor with Chris Shiflett. 215 episodes of the show were produced in total. In June 2023, Shiflett announced a new guitar-based podcast entitled Shred With Shifty.

Walking the Floor Episodes[9]
  1. Red Simpson
  2. John Doe
  3. Nick Arson
  4. Robert Garcia
  5. Joe Saunders
  6. Dwight Yoakam
  7. Dwight Yoakam
  8. Tommy Hays
  9. Peter Case
  10. Peter Case
  11. Jonny Wickersham
  12. Steve Earle
  13. Thomas Frank
  14. Matt Skiba
  15. Redd Volkaert
  16. Kenny Vaughn
  17. Sami Yaffa
  18. Sam Jones
  19. Kevin Smith
  20. Keith Gattis
  21. Conner Coffin
  22. Robbie Fulks
  23. Brad Paisley
  24. Brad Paisley
  25. Bloodshot Records
  26. Jack McCoy
  27. Brian Whelan
  28. Sturgill Simpson
  29. Mike Ness
  30. Merle Haggard
  31. Patterson Hood
  32. Jim Lauderdale
  33. Dale Watson
  34. Dicky Barrett
  35. Rhett Miller
  36. Steven Shane McDonald
  37. Jack Grisham
  38. Steve Caballero
  39. Spike Slawson
  40. Merle Haggard tribute
  41. Eli Reed
  42. Andrew Stockdale
  43. Dierks Bentley
  44. Sam Palladio
  45. Kip Moore
  46. John Doe
  47. Sara Watkins
  48. Jason Isbell
  49. Ryan Bingham
  50. Sarah Jarosz
  51. Old Dominion
  52. Wheeler Walker Jr.
  53. Jack Ingram
  54. Cody Jinks
  55. Dave Cobb
  56. Whitey Morgan
  57. Michaela Anne
  58. Buddy Miller
  59. Amanda Shires
  60. Freddie Roach
  61. Thomas Frank
  62. John Moreland
  63. Robert Ellis
  64. Lydia Loveless
  65. BJ Barham
  66. Taylor Goldsmith
  67. Mickey Raphael
  68. Slim Jim Phantom
  69. Tim Easton
  70. Courtney Marie Andrews
  71. Aaron Lee Tasjan
  72. Andrew Leahey
  73. Lucinda Williams
  74. Tucker Beathard
  75. Davey Havok and Jade Puget
  76. Marty Stuart
  77. Bob Mould
  78. Rodney Crowell
  79. Paul Cauthen
  80. Imelda May
  81. Sam Outlaw
  82. Jaime Wyatt
  83. Joe Sib
  84. Jade Jackson
  85. Sunny Sweeney
  86. Jim Breuer
  87. Dave Hause
  88. Robbie Robertson
  89. Justin Townes Earle
  90. Rod Melancon
  91. Butch Walker
  92. Sheryl Crow
  93. Lukas Nelson
  94. Paul Kelly
  95. Steve Earle
  96. Tyler Childers
  97. Chris Stapleton
  98. Lindi Ortega
  99. Anderson East
  100. Ray Benson
  101. Pokey LaFarge
  102. Lillie Mae
  103. Elizabeth Cook
  104. Lee Ann Womack
  105. Colter Wall
  106. Alex Williams
  107. Kendell Marvel
  108. Cindy Wilson
  109. Bob Arum
  110. Brothers Osborne
  111. Dan Tyminski
  112. Dave Alvin
  113. Drew Holcomb
  114. Tony Joe White
  115. Charley Crockett
  116. Tyler Mahan Coe
  117. Joshua Hedley
  118. Paul Franklin
  119. Michael Monroe
  120. Rhett Miller
  121. Vince Gill
  122. Taylor Goldsmith
  123. Ashley Monroe
  124. Brent Cobb
  125. Justin Moore
  126. Amanda Shires
  127. Sam Morrow
  128. Dawn Landes
  129. Carolina Story
  130. Ace Frehley
  131. Mike and the Moonpies
  132. Manny Pacquiao
  133. Rayland Baxter
  134. Shooter Jennings
  135. Garret T. Capps
  136. BJ Barham
  137. Shakey Graves
  138. Blackberry Smoke
  139. Parker Millsap
  140. Will Hoge
  141. Hayes Carll
  142. Joe Firstman
  143. Quaker City Night Hawks
  144. John Paul White
  145. The Lumineers
  146. Seven Peaks Special Report
  147. Todd Snider
  148. Yola
  149. Kendell Marvel
  150. Randy Houser
  151. Tony Brown
  152. Jamie Brisick
  153. Foy Vance
  154. Jack Ingram
  155. Robert Earl Keen
  156. Marcus King
  157. Delbert McClinton
  158. Luke Dick
  159. Pokey LaFarge
  160. Jonathan Wilson
  161. Sadler Vaden
  162. Midland
  163. Steve Gorman
  164. Jon Pardi
  165. Pat Green
  166. Brandy Clark
  167. Ketch Secor
  168. Lori McKenna
  169. Lucinda Williams
  170. Thomas Frank
  171. Shelby Lynne
  172. Matt Stoller
  173. Molly Tuttle
  174. S.G. Goodman
  175. Jaren Johnston
  176. Billy Strings
  177. Jay Joyce
  178. Brian Fallon
  179. The Wild Feathers
  180. Brian Setzer
  181. Tommy Lee
  182. Waylon Payne
  183. The Jayhawks
  184. Duane Betts
  185. Tommy Emmanuel
  186. Satsang
  187. Devon Gilfillian
  188. Suggs
  189. Ward Davis
  190. Del McCoury
  191. Greta Van Fleet
  192. Imelda May
  193. Jay Bentley
  194. Corb Lund
  195. Morgan Wade
  196. Teddy Atlas
  197. Dom Flemons
  198. Jackson Browne
  199. Hardy
  200. Charlie Worsham
  201. Tom Beajour and Rich Bienstock
  202. Lake Street Dive
  203. Samantha Crain
  204. Lucas Kunce
  205. Lee Rocker
  206. David Sirota
  207. George Kambosos Jr.
  208. Leah Blevins
  209. Gennady Golovkin
  210. Mike Campbell
  211. Wolfgang Van Halen
  212. Hailey Whitters
  213. Ashley McBryde and John Osborne
  214. Randy Rogers
  215. Aaron Ratiere

Equipment
Shiflett with Foo Fighters in 2018
Guitars

Shiflett uses various Gibsons[10][11] and Gretschs,[12] but over the past few years has been using mostly Fender Telecasters, Fender Telecaster Deluxes, and Fender Telecaster Thinlines. Shiflett also assembled some Telecaster Deluxes and Telecaster Thinlines out of Warmoth guitar parts with his tech. On the headstock of the Warmoth Telecasters, Shiflett's nickname "Shifty" replaces the Fender logo that would appear on a Telecaster created by Fender. He also has a signature Fender Telecaster Deluxe based on the Warmoth Telecasters, that is now his main guitar.

Effects
Amplifiers

Discography

Solo
  • 2010: Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants (with The Dead Peasants)
  • 2013: All Hat and No Cattle (with The Dead Peasants)
  • 2017: West Coast Town
  • 2019: Hard Lessons
  • 2023: Lost at Sea

No Use for a Name

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
See also: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes discography

Foo Fighters
See also: Foo Fighters discography

Jackson United

Guest appearances
  • 1997: Ten Foot Pole – Unleashed (additional guitar on "Denial", "What You Want" and "Pride and Shame")
  • 1998: Swingin' Utters – Five Lessons Learned (lead guitar on "I Need Feedback" and "Untitled 21")
  • 2001: Sugarcult - "Bouncing off the Walls" (guitar solo)
  • 2006: Viva Death – One Percent Panic
  • 2007: Jesse Malin – Glitter In The Gutter (additional guitar on "Prisoners Of Paradise")
  • 2023: Appeared as a secret act on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury festival in the UK

References
  1. "Chris Shiflett (I)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  2. "Chris Shiflett performs "This Ol' World" | Fender Artist Check-In | Fender". YouTube. April 11, 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  3. "Premier League predictions: Lawro v Foo Fighters guitarist and Arsenal fan Chris Shiflett". BBC Sport. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  4. Moll, James (2011). Back and Forth.
  5. "The Real McCoy hajosi | Yle Uutiset". Yle.fi. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  6. "Featured Content on Myspace". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  7. "Chris Shiflett – Music, Tour, Photos". Chrisshiflettmusic.com.
  8. "Foo Fighters Chris Shiflett returns to the UK ahead of Lost At Sea". MetalTalk.net. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  9. "Home". Walkingthefloor.com.
  10. "Gibson Les Paul | Musician's Friend". Musiciansfriend.com. 2014-07-10. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  11. "How to Capture Chris Shiflett's Foo Fighters Guitar Tone". Gibson.com. 2008-10-28. Archived from the original on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  12. "Gretsch® Guitar Schris Shiflett". Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved February 27, 2008.
  13. "Chris Shiflett on Instagram: "Getting ready for summer..."". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24.
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