James Shaffer Rhythm guitarist for the band Korn. Date of Birth: 06.06.1970 Country: USA

1. Biography of James Shaffer (Munky)
2. Early Life and Musical Career
3. Korn and Solo Projects
4. Personal Life and Current Activities
5. Additional Facts

Biography of James Shaffer (Munky)

James Shaffer, also known as Munky, is a rhythm guitarist and solo guitarist for the band Korn. He joined the band in 1993 and became the sole official guitarist after Brian 'Head' Welch left in 2005. In addition to playing guitar, Shaffer also provides backing vocals during live performances.

Early Life and Musical Career

Shaffer was born on June 6, 1970, in Rosedale, California. He was adopted as a child and had a troubled upbringing, often stealing alcohol from his parents. However, after injuring one of his fingers in an accident, he turned to playing the guitar as a form of rehabilitation.

During his school years, Shaffer befriended Brian Welch, and the two often improvised music together. Welch eventually invited Shaffer to join his first band, L.A.P.D. In the mid-1990s, Shaffer developed meningitis and was hospitalized during a tour in 1997. Korn canceled the remaining shows, refusing to replace him with a session musician.

Korn and Solo Projects

In 2006, Shaffer took on the additional role of solo guitarist in Korn after Welch's departure. He also founded the record label Emotional Syphon Records, signing contracts with bands such as Monster In The Machine and Droid. In 2008, Shaffer started a solo project called Fear And The Nervous System.

Shaffer is known for his collection of jumpsuits with sleeves, which he often wore on stage from 1993 to 1999. He primarily uses seven-string guitars from the brand Ibanez, with whom he has an endorsement deal. From 2002 to 2007, Ibanez released the K7 model, co-designed by the Korn guitarists. Currently, Shaffer's signature model is the APEX, an updated version of the K7.

Personal Life and Current Activities

On January 15, 2000, Shaffer married Stephanie Roush, and they welcomed their daughter Carmella Star the following year. However, Shaffer and Roush are currently divorced, and he is a single father. Despite his solo projects, Shaffer remains committed to Korn and is the only official guitarist in the band.

As of now, Shaffer, along with Fieldy, Jonathan Davis, and Ray Luzier, is writing songs for Korn's ninth studio album, scheduled for release in the summer of 2009. The album is being produced by Ross Robinson, a long-time friend and producer of the band.

Additional Facts

- Shaffer's worst childhood memory is when his father cut his long hair.
- His favorite smell is the scent of water.
- His first rock band that he listened to was Black Sabbath.
- Shaffer has an older brother named Patrick.
- His favorite bands include Parliament-Funkadelic, Mr. Bungle, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Primus, Morbid Angel, and Fear Factory.
- He enjoys drinking Coors beer.
- Before every show, Shaffer always goes to the bathroom for good luck.
- He uses the computer more than anyone else in Korn.
- Shaffer is a big fan of Anna Kournikova.
- He often cries while watching the music video for "Falling Away From Me".
- During the filming of the music video for "Clown", a wardrobe fell on Shaffer, but he was not injured, and they continued filming.
- At one of their concerts, someone threw a knife at him, but fortunately, they missed.
- Shaffer was influenced by guitarists from the '80s, such as Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen, and his favorite guitarist is Steve Vai.