Georg Albert Ruthenberg (born August 5, 1959), better known by his stage name Pat Smear, is an American musician and since 2010 has been a rhythm guitarist for Foo Fighters. He was the lead guitarist and co-founder of Los Angeles–based punk band The Germs and a rhythm guitarist for Nirvana (which he joined as a touring guitarist in 1993). After Nirvana disbanded following the death of frontman Kurt Cobain, drummer Dave Grohl went on to form Foo Fighters, with Smear joining on guitar.
