A native of southern California, guitarist Chris Shiflett established himself as a prominent sideman in the alt/punk world, most notably as the guitarist of Foo Fighters, as well as a recording artist of his own. Shiflett began his career in the Santa Barbara glam punk outfit Lost Kittenz, which featured Steve Sherlock (who would go on to form Nerf Herder) and Marko DeSantis (of Sugarcult fame). In 1995, Shiflett joined No Use for a Name, playing guitar as a part of their rotating lineup until 1999’s More Betterness!. Around the same time, Shiflett was also recruited by Swingin' Utters singer Spike Slawson to play guitar for the punk supergroup and cover band extraordinaire Me First the Gimme Gimmes. In 1999, Shiflett left No Use for a Name to take over guitar duties for the Foo Fighters, replacing short-lived guitarist Franz Stahl (who had previously replaced the Germs' Pat Smear). He made his album debut with the band on 2002's One by One, and became a permanent member soon after.

Looking for an outlet for his own songwriting, Shiflett has also created a number of side projects. In 2003, he formed the punk band Jackson United with his brother, Scott Shiflett, and Pete Parada (both of Face to Face). After recording two albums with Jackson United, Shiflett decided to explore some of his other influences. In 2010, he released his first album under his own name, the country-influenced Chris Shiflett the Dead Peasants on Le Coq Napoleon. Three years later, Shiflett the Dead Peasants returned with All Hat and No Cattle, an album that pushed the band into hardcore '60s honky tonk territory. For his third album, West Coast Town -- a set released in the spring of 2017 -- Shiflett turned the spotlight on California country. He followed in 2019 with his sophomore effort Hard Lessons. ~ Gregory Heaney, Rovi