Real Name: James Shaffer

Date of Birth: June 6^th 1970

Place of Birth: Rosendale, California, USA

His career started from an accident, in which, the top of his finger was cut off by a biking

Incident. He was sneaking out to a party one evening and the chain slipped off his bike. To stop any adverse noise, James quickly slapped his hand on the chain, his finger was caught, and the top was cut off.

During the High School years, James became friends with a guy, who went by the name of Brian Welch. Who wasn't only a friend but also, a fellow guitarist. It seemed enviable that James and Brian were destined to be in a band together and L.A.P.D proved that. With James originally joining the band full-time and Brian joining the fold later for touring duties. L.A.P.D also sported two other Korn members, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu (Bass) and David Silveria (Drums).

Eventually, L.A.P.D became Creep, and then from Creep to Korn. Munky sees a different persona of himself the second he steps on stage. This reflects in the clothes he wears in the live set. Munky sports old overalls, which are "Kinda, trashy, dirty...". He continues "Really what it is, it's like that person I don't like in me,

all the things I hate about myself, that's who I am up there". His nickname stems from his feet. In which, when they are spread out, they look like monkey hands.

Munky currently lives in Orange County, about an hour away from Hollywood.

Munky Facts:

When he was 14 he lost the tip of his left index finger on a bike chain. He was advised by a doctor that playing an instrument would provide good physical therapy for his finger, so he decided to start playing the guitar.

Munky bought his first guitar, a Peavey Mystic, from his friend Brian ‘Head’ Welch for $300. Head subsequently admitted that he’d ripped off his future band mate.

Fieldy gave Munky his nickname, because when the guitarist would walk around barefoot in the apartment the band shared in Burbank, California, the bassist thought that Munky’s feet looked like, well, monkey hands.

Munky married Stephanie Roush on January 15^th 2000. The couple have one daughter, Carmella Star Shaffer, born in 2001. According to Munky; “Babies just eat and poop and sleep and cry.”

Munky has his daughter’s name ‘Carmella’ tattooed on his arm; “It’s a tradition in our band to tattoo your kid’s name.”

On July 18^th 1997 after a Lollapalooza show, Munky felt sick and was diagnosed with viral meningitis. Adam, the guitarist from Tool, was actually going to learn some of the Korn songs and take Munky’s place but the band didn’t feel it was appropriate so they cancelled the rest of the tour.

Munky doesn’t drink anymore, nor does he smoke weed, just cigarettes.

During the filming of Korn’s ‘Clown’ video, a school locker fell on Munky, he was not injured and filming continued.

Munky has a black speed boat which is nicknamed ‘The Bruiser’.

Munky’s older brother Patrick introduced him to “heavy music” by making him listen to Black Sabbath when he was 10. 

Munky’s favourite superhero is the Incredible Hulk; he once dressed up as Hulk for a Halloween party.