Munky grew up in Bakersfield, California. He was always in trouble: catching fields on fire, trespassing, stealing his parent's liquor, etc. Then one night he snuck out to ride his three-wheeler. The chain broke and he reached down to stop it from rattling and accidentally cut his left index finger off. he started playing guitar to help rehabilitate it. He formed the band LAPD with David and Fieldy of Korn and Richard Morales. After they broke up he formed Creep which was Korn, minus Jonathan. Then he and Head met Jon in a bar and formed Korn. Munky got his nickname because he can stretch his toes out like a monkey.