Johnny Christ

 Jonathan Lewis Seward, (born November 18, 1984), better known by his stage name Johnny Christ, is the bassist in the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold.Johnny Christ was the fourth bassist to join Avenged Sevenfold in 2002, replacing former members Matt Wendt, Dameon Ash, and Justin Sane. He grew up in Huntington Beach, California. His favorite bands are Pantera, Megadeth and Metallica. He began playing bass when he was 12 years old.

Biography

Johnny Seward attended Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California. He proceeded through high school and formally met M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Synyster Gates, and The Rev. Despite not being in the band at the time, Johnny was already friends with The Rev and Synyster Gates, then soon after M. Shadows and Zacky Vengeance. Following the departure of Dameon Ash in 2002, he was invited to fill the position as Avenged Sevenfold's bassist, as he had played the bass with the band whenever Dameon could not attend. Johnny could pick up on the pace of a song that he did not know quite quickly and proved to be a unique bass guitarist. "I don't think any one out there could pick up a bass line as quick as Johnny" were the words from The Rev. Johnny was also friends with Zacky Vengeance's younger brother Matt Baker formerly from the band The Dear & Departed. In May 2009, he participated in the Gumball 3000  rally, driving coast to coast with the Fuel Girls.
His first concert was a Metallica concert. He was 12.

Musical career

Johnny initially took a few weeks off from high school during his senior year to fill in for Avenged Sevenfold's previous bassist, Dameon Ash, during one of their tours. These few weeks would become permanent as Johnny dropped out of high school to become the band's current bassist.

His two biggest influences are Cliff Burton (late bassist for Metallica) and Duff McKagan (the bassist from Velvet Revolver and formerly Guns N' Roses).

His playing style varies by song.

Johnny first recorded on their second album Waking The Fallen. He used to write only Johnny on his autographs until Zacky came up with the name "Johnny Christ", and in All Excess he said, "That sounds... really ballsy. Everyone's gonna hate that, so... I should definitely go with that." He resides in Huntington Beach, Orange County.

In the time since the release of Nightmare, Seward has begun singing more backup vocals on live shows (as well as screaming) on songs like Strength of the World, Nightmare, Seize the Day, God Hates Us, Critical Acclaim, and Not Ready to Die.

Stage Equipment

• Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Bass
• Seymour Duncan Basslines SMB-4D, SJB-3n
• Ampeg SVT 8x10 Cab
• Gallien-Krueger 1001 RB Head
• Ernie Ball 2831 Power Slinky Bass Strings

Equipment

• Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray Custom Black W/ Steel Pickguard
• Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray W/ Custom "Mr.Death" Graphic
• Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray Custom Grey Burst W/ Matching Head Stock
• Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling (2H) Bass
• Ernie Ball Musicman 30th Anniversary Stingray
• Seymour Duncan Pickups
• Gallien Krueger 412 Neo cab
• Gallien Krueger 410RBH Cabs x2
• Gallien Krueger 2001 RB Head x2
• Ernie Ball 2831 Power Slinky Bass Strings
• Rickenbacker 4003 bass natural finish

Also Seen in Recording

• Visual Sound H20 Chorus & Echo
• Boss GEB-7 Bass Equalizer
• Tech 21 SansAmp RBI Bass Driver DI
• Ampeg SVT CL Head
• Dunlop CryBaby Bass WAH
• Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 5 Red w/ White Pick Guard
• 1972 Gibson Thunderbird
• Line6 Bass Pod
• Ibanez GSR 205 W/ Gold Inlays
• Gallien-Krueger 800RB Head

Old Setup

• Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling Bass Black/Black
• Ampeg SVT 8x10 Cab
• Gallien Krueger 1001 RB Head
• Ernie Ball 2831 Power Slinky Bass Strings

Synyster Gates

 Brian Elwin Haner, Jr. (July 7, 1981), better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician, best known for being the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. He has appeared with many different styles of his Schecter guitar, however he tends to use his black with white pinstripes.

Early life

 Haner attended Mayfair High School in Lakewood, but he later transferred and graduated from Ocean View High School in Huntigton Beach , California.

He studied at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood as part of the Guitar Institute of Technology program, studying jazz guitar. After six or so months of being there, he got a phone call from The Rev asking him if he wanted to join his band, Avenged Sevenfold , as lead guitarist. Haner joined rather than continuing his education and becoming a studio musician. Up until that time he was primarily self-taught by watching music videos and reading books. His father, Brian Haner Sr, is a comedian, songwriter, and guitarist.

Avenged Sevenfold

 Gates joined Avenged Sevenfold when he was 18 at the end of 1999, right before the recording of the band's first album, Sounding The Seventh Trumpet. He was featured on the EP Warmness On The Soul , and on the reissue of the band's first album as well as Synyster's new version of "To End The Rapture". His name on Avenged Sevenfold's debut album was "Synyster Gaytes", M. Shadows on the album was simply "Shadows"..

Gates became the band's official lead guitarist. After Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, the band has released 4 studio albums: Waking The Fallen, City Of Evil, Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare and a live DVD/CD Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough.

On the Avenged Sevenfold DVD All Excess, Gates claimed that his name was created on a drunken drive through the park with The Rev.

He has won numerous awards, including the 2006 Metal Hammer "Young Shredder" award and the 2006 Total Guitar Magazine "Guitarist of the Year."

In Revolver magazine, the Avenged Sevenfold special edition that was released the same day as the Nightmare album, Gates stated that he originally started out writing the song "So Far Away" in honor of his grandfather, it later on became to also honor his late bandmate The Rev as well.

Pinkly Smooth

Haner, along with The Rev, played in an avant-garde metal band named Pinkly Smooth. Formed in the summer of 2001 in Huntington Beach, California, the band featured ex-Ballistico members Buck Silverspur on bass and D-Rock on drums. The band has released one album, Unfortunate Snort on Bucktan Records, which features a crossover sound of mostly punk, ska and avant-garde. Former Avenged Sevenfold bassist Justin Meacham played keyboards and piano on the album. There was speculation that Pinkly Smooth was going to produce another record, but due to the death of The Rev, it is highly unlikely that they will produce any more material.

Featured guest appearances

• Bleeding Through's "Savior, Saint, Salvation," track
• Good Charlotte's "The River" track and music video (with M. Shadows)
• Burn Halo's "Dirty Little Girl" music video
• Burn Halo's "Anejo" track
• He and his father wrote and recorded the theme song to The Jeff Dunham Show.

Equipment

 Guitars

 Synyster Gates uses mainly Schecter Guitar. Schecter Guitar Research has been sponsoring him and he has signature Avenger models. He has also been seen using ESP guitars when A7X were recording Waking The Fallen and City Of Evil.

• Schecter Synyster Gates Signature Special model with Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invaders and Sustainiac neck pickup sustainer
• Schecter Synyster Gates Signature Custom models with Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invaders and Sustainiac neck pickup sustainer
• Schecters custom models with Rebel flag, American flag, German flag, Black with Red Stripes, Red with Black Stripes, White with Gold Stripes, White with Black Stripes, one featuring Jack Nicholson's Joker art and color scheme, and one with Tune-O-Matic Bridge.
• Schecter Synyster Gates Custom with "REV" inlays on fret board instead of "SYN" featured on the So Far Away music video
• Schecter Synyster Gates Custom Prototype
• Schecter Synyster Special Prototype
• Schecter Synyster Deluxe Prototype
• Schecter Synyster Special
• Schecter Synyster Deluxe
• Schecter Avenger
• Schecter C-1 Classic - Transparent Blue
• Schecter Custom C-1 FR
• Schecter Omen-6 FR Prototype
• Schecter Hellraiser C-1 FR
• Schecter PT Fastback
• Schecter S-1 loaded with Seymour Duncan JBs
• Schecter Banshee
• Gibson Les Paul in arctic white, this was used in the video for Unholy Confessions
• Parker Fly
• Ibanez - S Prestige
• Fender - Squier Stratocaster

Amplifiers & Effects Unit

He has used Bogner, Marshall, Mesa/Boogie and many more amps in the studio, but until late, has been mostly seen with Bogner live.

• Marshall JCM800 (for Nightmare)
• Krank Distortus Maximus
• Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
• Boss CS-3 Compresser Sustainer(2)
• Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb
• Boss BF-3 Flanger
• Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter
• Boss GT 8
• Boss GT 10
• Frantone "The Sweet" Distortion
• DigiTech Whammy Pedal
• Dunlop Crybaby from Hell
• Dunlop Crybaby RackWah
• Budda Custom Wah
• MXR Custom Audio Electronics MC-401 Boost Pedal
• MXR Carbon Copy Delay
• MXR Custom Comp
• Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
• Visual Sound H20 Chorus & Echo
• Ernie Ball Wah Pedal
• Sustainiac Stealth Pro Sustainer
• Bogner Uberschall
• Bogner Uberschall Twin Jet
• Mesa Boogie Rectifier
• Marshall JCM 800
• Mesa Boogie 4x12 Cabinets
• Marshall 4x12 Cabinets
  
                                     Synyster Gates Schecter Collection's
  

  

Zacky Vengeance

 Zachary James Baker, (born December 11, 1981) better known by his stage name Zacky Vengeance, is the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the American metal/rock band Avenged Sevenfold. 

Biography

Baker taught himself how to play the guitar when he was thirteen. He attended Huntington Beach High School, and formed Avenged Sevenfold there with M.Shadows and The Rev. Before Avenged Sevenfold, he was in a punk band called MPA*, which stands for Mad Porn Action. He implied that they were not successful. Baker came up with his stage name "Zacky Vengeance" because he wanted to get back at all the people from his youth who doubted his potential. He also came up with Johnny's stage name "Johnny Christ," saying it suited him. Vengeance was also responsible for the creation of the initialism "A7X".

Despite being left-handed, Vengeance recalls the first guitar he learned to play on was actually a right-handed his parents had bought him for his thirteenth birthday. He learned by playing upside-down, watching his favorite bands and other people he knew who played, and practiced as much as he could. He would also read each edition of Guitar World cover to cover, learning the tabs of the songs published there and watching the professionals perform them until he could play just as well.

Tattoos

The body is covered Zacky tattoo, including:

•      A sparrow with a dagger through the leg
•      A casket red and purple on the side of the right index finger he shares with members of Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte
•      The Anaheim Angels logo behind the left ear
•      The word Vengeance and the number Seven in the back
•      Jesus on the right forearm
•      A woman decapitated on the right arm
•      A skull with bat wings on the left arm (Avenged Sevenfold logo)

Equipment

 Guitars

 Vengeance uses Schecter Guitar, and endorses the company.

• The Vengeance standard
• The Vengeance Standard model (rebel flag as seen in "Walk" at Ozzfest in 2006)
• The ZV camo (seen using in Glasgow 2010)
• The ZV special designed by Zacky Vengeance
• The ZV custom (His first custom given by schecter)
• The ZV Blade
• The ZV special & custom with FR (as seen behind the scenes in the Live in the LBC DVD)
• The ZV mirror (as seen in Nightmare music video and on the Nightmare Tour.)
• The ZV "Gynecologist" with blood splatters. This version is different to the others as this comes with Seymour Duncan Invaders instead of his usual Seymour Duncan SH-4 "JB" set(now with white SH-4"JB"set)
• Vengeance has many custom shop S-1 models made exclusively for him.
• All models are loaded with Seymour Duncan JB Pickups.
• Formerly a Gibson SG left-handed was used by him (as seen in Warmness On The Soul music video)
• Seen using a Schecter PT series custom at the HEAVY MTL 2010
• In 2009 he was seen using a Fender Telecaster (blonde/creme) (this guitar was also used during performances of Buried Alive in 2010)
• Schecter S-1 with duncan designed hb-102
• Schecter Avenger lefty with EMG pickups
• Schecter S-1 custom (New in December 2010)
• Schecter S-1 bullseye custom as seen in Uproar backstage.
• Schecter Tempest Extreme Vengeance Custom (This model has vengeance blades on the knobs)

Amps

• Marshall 4x12 Cabinet
• Mesa boogie Rectifier
• Marshall Jcm
• Marshall JVM205H
• Jet city stacks half

Effects units and accessories

• Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner
• ISP Decimator
• Voodoo Lab GCX Audio Switcher
• Palmer junction DI
• Ernie Ball "Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom 10-52" strings
• Dunlop Tortex Vengeance university 0.73mm (VU logo)
• Dunlop foREVer commemrative strap (only 2 of these have been made,both owned by Zacky)