James 'Munky' Shaffer was born in California. He started to play guitar at the age of 13 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 then their new project was created. That was called Korn.