Synyster Gates
Encyclopedia
Brian Elwin Haner, Jr. better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician, best known for being the lead guitarist of the American heavy metal
band Avenged Sevenfold
.
in Lakewood
, but he later transferred and graduated from Huntington Beach High School
in Huntington Beach, California
.
He studied at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood as part of the Guitar Institute of Technology program, studying jazz and classical guitar. After a year or so of being there, he got a phone call from The Rev
asking him if he wanted to join his band, 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.
, also known as "Guitar Guy," is a songwriter, and guitarist.
when he was 18 in 1999, right after the recording of the band's first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet
. He was featured on the EP To End The Rapture, on the band's first album.
Gates became the band's 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. However, the song is now primarily about Gates' former bandmate, The Rev
.
On April 20, 2011, Gates won the Revolver Golden God award for Best Guitarist along with band mate, Zacky Vengeance
. Avenged Sevenfold picked up numerous other awards and delivered the headlining performance of the night.
. 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. However, Synyster Gates has said that he would consider remastering the tracks from Unfortunate Snort and re-releasing the album.
Personal life.
He is married to Michelle Dibenedetto, the twin sister of his bandmate M.Shadows wife Valery
and City Of Evil
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
.
Early life
Haner attended Mayfair High SchoolMayfair High School
Mayfair High School is a high school in the Bellflower Unified School District 9 in the city of Lakewood, California. The school first opened in 1959. The student population is approximately 3616 in grades 7 through 12...
in Lakewood
Lakewood, California
Lakewood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 80,048 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Long Beach on the west and south, Bellflower on the north, Cerritos on the northeast, Cypress on the east, and Hawaiian Gardens on the southeast. Major thoroughfares...
, but he later transferred and graduated from Huntington Beach High School
Huntington Beach High School
Huntington Beach High School is a public high school in Huntington Beach, California. Opened in 1906, it is part of the Huntington Beach Union High School District. HBHS is a California Distinguished School...
in Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
.
He studied at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood as part of the Guitar Institute of Technology program, studying jazz and classical guitar. After a year or so of being there, he got a phone call from The Rev
The Rev
James Owen Sullivan , more commonly known by his stage name The Reverend Tholomew Plague, often shortened to The Rev, was an American musician, best known as the drummer for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold...
asking him if he wanted to join his band, 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.
Brian Haner
Brian Elwin Haner, Sr. , also known as Guitar Guy or Papa Gates is an American musician. He is a guitarist, songwriter, singer and a stand-up comedian...
, also known as "Guitar Guy," is a songwriter, and guitarist.
Avenged Sevenfold
Gates joined Avenged SevenfoldAvenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
when he was 18 in 1999, right after the recording of the band's first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet
Sounding the Seventh Trumpet
-Personnel:Avenged Sevenfold* M. Shadows — lead vocals, keyboard, acoustic guitar* Zacky Vengeance - Lead guitar and rhythm guitar* Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan — drums, backing vocals, piano* Justin Sane - bass guitar, pianoProduction...
. He was featured on the EP To End The Rapture, on the band's first album.
Gates became the band's lead guitarist. After Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, the band has released 4 studio albums: Waking the Fallen
Waking the Fallen
Waking the Fallen is the second album by Avenged Sevenfold, released on August 26, 2003 through Hopeless Records. It is the last release by the band to feature their metalcore sound, although more clean vocals are featured on the album than their debut album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. It is...
, City of Evil
City of Evil
City of Evil is the third studio album and first major label release by American metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The album was released on June 7, 2005 under the Warner Bros. Records label. Co-produced by Andrew Murdock, City of Evil contains a more hard rock and classic heavy metal sound than...
, Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold (album)
Avenged Sevenfold is the fourth studio album by American metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on October 30, 2007 through Warner Bros. Records...
, Nightmare
Nightmare (Avenged Sevenfold album)
Nightmare is the fifth studio album by American rock band Avenged Sevenfold, released on July 27, 2010 through Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Mike Elizondo and mixed in New York City by noted engineer Andy Wallace...
and a live DVD/CD Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough
Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough
Diamonds in the Rough -Personnel:Avenged Sevenfold* M. Shadows – lead vocals* Synyster Gates – lead guitar, backing vocals* Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
.
On the Avenged Sevenfold DVD All Excess
All Excess
All Excess is Avenged Sevenfold's first DVD which was released on July 17, 2007. The DVD includes a documentary with footage dating back to 1999, four live performances, along with four music videos, and several outtakes....
, Gates claimed that his name was created on a drunken drive through the park with The Rev
The Rev
James Owen Sullivan , more commonly known by his stage name The Reverend Tholomew Plague, often shortened to The Rev, was an American musician, best known as the drummer for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold...
.
He has won numerous awards, including the 2006 Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
"Young Shredder" award and the 2006 Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Total Guitar is a monthly magazine based in the United Kingdom. The magazine is the best selling guitar magazine in Europe.The magazine is owned by Future Publishing, who publish many other magazines ranging from drums and video games to mountain bikes and knitting magazines.Total Guitar regularly...
Magazine "Guitarist of the Year."
In Revolver
Revolver (magazine)
Revolver is a bi-monthly rock and heavy metal magazine published by Future US. Before covering heavy metal, rock & hard rock solely, it was a more mainstream oriented magazine. The magazine is structured in a manner similar to publications such as Spin while covering many avenues within the heavy...
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. However, the song is now primarily about Gates' former bandmate, The Rev
The Rev
James Owen Sullivan , more commonly known by his stage name The Reverend Tholomew Plague, often shortened to The Rev, was an American musician, best known as the drummer for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold...
.
On April 20, 2011, Gates won the Revolver Golden God award for Best Guitarist along with band mate, Zacky Vengeance
Zacky Vengeance
Zachary James Baker, better known by his stage name Zacky Vengeance, is the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the American metal/rock band Avenged Sevenfold.-Biography:...
. Avenged Sevenfold picked up numerous other awards and delivered the headlining performance of the night.
Pinkly Smooth
Haner, along with The Rev, played in an avant-garde metal band named Pinkly SmoothPinkly Smooth
Pinkly Smooth is an American Heavy metal/Goblin metal band. The band was formed in the summer of 2001 in Huntington Beach, California, with The Rev as vocalist, fellow Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates as guitarist and ex-Ballistico members: Buck Silverspur on bass and Derek Eglit on...
. Formed in the summer of 2001 in Huntington Beach, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, the band featured ex-Ballistico members Buck Silverspur on bass and D-Rock on drums. The band has released one album, Unfortunate Snort
Unfortunate Snort
Unfortunate Snort is the first and only album from the avant-garde metal band Pinkly Smooth. It was recorded in 2002.Pinkly Smooth was the side project of the Avenged Sevenfold drummer, The Reverend Tholomew Plague, current guitarist Synyster Gates, and former bassist Justin Meacham.-Track...
on Bucktan Records, which features a crossover sound of mostly punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
and avant-garde
Avant-garde music
Avant-garde music is a term used to characterize music which is thought to be ahead of its time, i.e. containing innovative elements or fusing different genres....
. Former Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
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. However, Synyster Gates has said that he would consider remastering the tracks from Unfortunate Snort and re-releasing the album.
Personal life.
He is married to Michelle Dibenedetto, the twin sister of his bandmate M.Shadows wife Valery
Featured guest appearances
- Bleeding ThroughBleeding ThroughBleeding Through is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California. Formed in 1999, the band blends influences stemming from modern hardcore punk, symphonic black metal, and melodic death metal...
's "Savior, Saint, SalvationPortrait Of The GoddessPortrait of the Goddess is the second album by American metalcore band Bleeding Through. The album was released on April 30, 2002 through Indecision Records.-Track listing:#"Rise" – 2:06#"Our Enemies" – 3:23...
," track (with M. Shadows). - Good CharlotteGood CharlotteGood Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 1998, the band's constant members have been lead vocalist Joel Madden, lead guitarist and back-up vocalist Benji Madden, bass guitarist Paul Thomas and rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Billy Martin...
's "The RiverThe River (Good Charlotte song)"The River" is a song by the pop-punk band Good Charlotte featuring M. Shadows and Synyster Gates of the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The song was the first single from the Good Morning Revival album in North America and the second single throughout the rest of the world except for...
" track and music video (with M. Shadows). - Burn HaloBurn HaloBurn Halo is a hard rock band, originating from Orange County, California and Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was formed by James Hart, former lead singer of Orange County metalcore band Eighteen Visions.-Formation and self-titled debut album :...
's "Dirty Little GirlBurn Halo (album)-Dirty Little Girl:The album's first single "Dirty Little Girl" was released on November 25, 2008, and features Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates. The song has peaked at #19 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts....
" track and music video. - Burn HaloBurn HaloBurn Halo is a hard rock band, originating from Orange County, California and Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was formed by James Hart, former lead singer of Orange County metalcore band Eighteen Visions.-Formation and self-titled debut album :...
's "Anejo" track. - Brian HanerBrian HanerBrian Elwin Haner, Sr. , also known as Guitar Guy or Papa Gates is an American musician. He is a guitarist, songwriter, singer and a stand-up comedian...
's "Blow-Up Doll" music video. - The Jeff Dunham ShowThe Jeff Dunham ShowThe Jeff Dunham Show is a sketch comedy television series starring comedian Jeff Dunham, that aired on the American cable television network Comedy Central. It premiered on October 22, 2009, and featured Dunham interacting with the characters that he uses in his ventriloquism act, such as Walter,...
intro song (with his father).
Guitars
Synyster Gates uses mainly Schecter Guitars. 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 FallenWaking the Fallen
Waking the Fallen is the second album by Avenged Sevenfold, released on August 26, 2003 through Hopeless Records. It is the last release by the band to feature their metalcore sound, although more clean vocals are featured on the album than their debut album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. It is...
and City Of Evil
City of Evil
City of Evil is the third studio album and first major label release by American metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The album was released on June 7, 2005 under the Warner Bros. Records label. Co-produced by Andrew Murdock, City of Evil contains a more hard rock and classic heavy metal sound than...
- 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, 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 Hellraiser C-1 FR
- Schecter PT Fastback
- Schecter S-1 loaded with Seymour Duncan JBs
- Schecter Banshee
- Gibson Les PaulGibson Les PaulThe Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
in arctic white, this was used in the video for Unholy Confessions - Parker FlyParker FlyThe Parker Fly is a type of electric guitar built by Parker Guitars. It was designed by Ken Parker and Larry Fishman, and first produced in 1993. The Fly is unique among electric guitars in the way it uses composite materials. It is notable for its light weight and resonance...
- Ibanez - RG Prestige
- 1957 Fender Stratocaster Deluxe (With Humbucker Pickups)
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.- MarshallMarshall AmplificationMarshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
JVM205H (for Nightmare) - KrankKrank AmplificationKrank Amplification is an American company based in Arizona that designs and manufactures guitar amplifiers. Krank manufactures tube amplifiers and recently a hybrid amplifier.- Amplifiers :...
Distortus Maximus - BossBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
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
- Frantone "The Sweet" Distortion
- Digitech Whammy Pedal
- DunlopDunlop ManufacturingDunlop Manufacturing, Inc., known colloquially as Jim Dunlop, is a manufacturer of musical accessories based in Benicia, California. Originally founded in 1965 by Jim Dunlop, Sr., the company has grown from a small home operation to being a large manufacturer of music gear for over 40 years.- Way...
Crybaby from Hell - Dunlop Crybaby RackWah
- Budda Custom Wah
- MXRMXRMXR, also known as MXR Innovations, was a manufacturer of guitar effects units, co-founded in 1973 by Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood . MXR was based in the United States in Rochester, New York. MXR Innovations, Inc. was incorporated in 1974...
Custom Audio Electronics MC-401 Boost Pedal - MXR Carbon Copy Delay
- MXR Custom Comp
- Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
- Visual Sound H20 Chorus & Echo
- Ernie BallErnie BallErnie Ball was an American entrepreneur, musician, and innovator, widely acclaimed as a revolutionary in the development of guitar-related products. He began as a club and local television musician and small business entrepreneur, building an international business in guitars and accessories that...
Wah Pedal
- Sustainiac Stealth Pro Sustainer
- BognerBognerBogner is an American guitar amplifier manufacturing company founded by Reinhold Bogner in 1989 in Los Angeles, California, best known for the Shiva, Ecstasy, and Überschall guitar amplifiers.-Models:*Ecstasy 100A and 100B:...
UberschallUberschallUberschall is an improvisational rock band based in Las Vegas, Nevada consisting of past and present Blue Men and band members of Blue Man Group. Uberschall frequently performs at the Double-Down Saloon.- Members :... - Bogner Uberschall Twin Jet
- Mesa BoogieMesa BoogieMesa/Boogie is a company in Petaluma, California that makes amplifiers for guitars and basses. It has been in operation since 1969....
Rectifier - MarshallMarshall AmplificationMarshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
JCM 800
- Mesa BoogieMesa BoogieMesa/Boogie is a company in Petaluma, California that makes amplifiers for guitars and basses. It has been in operation since 1969....
4x12 Cabinets - MarshallMarshall AmplificationMarshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
4x12 Cabinets