Short Biography

James `Munky` Shaffer was born in Rosedale, California on June 6, 1970. He started to play guitar when he severed his left index finger in a three wheeler accident. The doctors suggested he do something to rehabilitate his finger. So Munky automatically thought guitar. Sometime later, he joined a band with his friend Brian `Head` Welch, which also included soon to be Korn members, David Silveria and Reggie `Fieldy` Arvizu, called LAPD. That soon ended, and than their new project was created. That was called Korn.

As an adopted child, Shaffer led a troubled life, often stealing his parents` alcohol and trespassing. One night, when trying to sneak out to a party, the tip of one of his fingers was severed by the chain on his motorcycle, and, as part of his rehabilitation, Shaffer picked up a guitar. During high school Shaffer met fellow guitarist Brian "Head" Welch and the two often jammed together ever since.

Later on Welch and Shaffer saw Jonathan Davis singing for the band Sexart in a bar. Initially intending to stay only for a few minutes, the pair ended up staying for the whole set upon seeing Davis` performance, and asked him to join their band (still called L.A.P.D. at this point) almost immediately afterward.

Shaffer developed meningitis during 1997 while on tour, requiring him to be hospitalized. KoRn cancelled the remainder of that tour, due to not wanting to replace him with someone who wasn`t in the band.

On January 15, 2000, Shaffer married Stephanie Roush. The couple had a daughter, Carmella Star, the next year, whom Shaffer claims is the most prized possession in his life. The two are now divorced.

February 22, 2005, Brian Welch left the band. James felt very sad, but he accepted his friend`s choice. Today, he is the only formal guitarist in Korn. (Clint Lowery, Christian Olde Wolbers, and Rob Patterson were only live/session members.)

On the 16th May 2006, Munky played on Spanish nylon guitar in Fieldy`s wedding. He was quoted as jokingly saying "now I have something else to fall back on!"

Munky cites Steve Vai and 80`s metal guitarists such as Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads as his main influences while learning guitar, growing up.

On March 4, 2008, it was announced that Munky will be releasing a solo record on August 8, 2008 with his solo band Fear and The Nervous System which will feature Munky doing vocals and guitar, Brooks Wackerman of Bad Religion (who also performed on Korn`s 8th album) on drums, Leopold Ross on guitar and programming, Bill Gould of Faith No More fame, and Zac Baird (Korn`s keyboardist) on keyboards and programming. The record will be produced by Munky and Ross Robinson.

Miscellaneous Information

Distinctive Features

Dreadlocks

Friends and Family

Stephanie Roush [Associate] (ex-wife)

Camella Star [Associate] (his baby girl)

Reginald "Fieldy" Avizu [Friend] (is also in his band)

Jonathan Davis [Friend] (is also in his band)

David Silveria [Friend] (is also in his band)

Brian "Head" Welch [Friend] (is in his band)

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