Josh Klinghoffer

Josh Klinghoffer (born October 3, 1979) is a musician and producer from Los Angeles, California. He’s a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. He has toured with and played on records of numerous musicians including Ataxia, Beck, Headless Heroes, Butthole Surfers, Gnarls Barkley, Golden Shoulders, John Frusciante, Jon Brion, Pochahaunted, PJ Harvey, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sparks, The Bicycle Thief, Thelonious Monster, Vincent Gallo and Warpaint. He also has his own band, Dot Hacker.



Klinghoffer has been involved in music from a very early age, having piano lessons at home, and attending band camp. It was at band camp that he first met Dan Elkan, who he later played with in bands such as Golden Shoulders and the Snegg Band. He taught himself to play guitar along to Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam records, and has said that listening to Radiohead made him want to start a band.

He dropped out of formal education at 15, and his first job was at Tempo Records in Northridge, from which he was fired for insubordination. He later worked briefly for a record label.

He’s good friends with John Frusciante, whom he met during the recording of The Bicycle Thief album “You Come And Go Like A Pop Song”.

Klinghoffer is currently playing and recording with the Red Hot Chili Peppers as their lead guitarist following the departure of John Frusciante(2).