Second Heartbeat™

I'd like to meet:

INDIVIDUAL BIOS;

M.SHADOWS;
M. Shadows (born Matthew Charles Sanders on July 31, 1981), is the vocalist/lead singer for the American hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold. He is from Huntington Beach, California but presently lives in Orange County.
When Shadows was younger he was in a few other punk bands with Avenged Sevenfold's rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance. There was a rumor circulating since a Revolver Magazine interview that Shadows had done damage to vocal chords, forcing the band to change their style of music. M. Shadows claimed he had burst blood vessels in his throat, and was told that if he kept on his path, he would be a mute in under 5 years. But as stated in the band's recent DVD, it had been decided several years before the making of City Of Evil that it would be an all singing album. He had made it clear to their producer, Mudrock, that the album they were working on at the time (Waking The Fallen) would be half sing, half screaming and that the next would be all singing.
Some of his biggest musical influences are Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, and Pantera. Philip Anselmo of Pantera is his screaming inspiration[citation needed]. He was formerly a member of a punk band, called 'Successful Failure'. While in this band he penned the song Streets, which would later be recorded after Avenged Sevenfold was formed, and released on their first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet.
Sanders feels a strong support for the troops serving the United States, having very close friends who are currently in service[citation needed]. The song "M.I.A." ("Missing in Action") was written in tribute to these friends. Before he performed the song at most shows, however, Shadows stresses that Avenged Sevenfold is not a political band and that they do not intend to become one.
On the new A7X DVD, while all of the members were talking about how they got their stage names, M. Shadows said that he got his name because when he was in high-school, and the band was just starting out, he was a darker kid (hence the name "Shadows") but he also wanted to incorporate his name, Matt, into his stage name. Matt was reduced to M. since he didn't like the sound of it, and since has been known as M. Shadows.
He is currently engaged to Valary Dibendetto, who he has loved since grade 6.

SYNYSTER GATES;
Synyster Gates (born Brian Elwin Haner, Jr. on July 7, 1981) is the lead guitarist for Avenged Sevenfold. Hejoined Avenged Sevenfold (A7x) in 2001, after the release of the band's first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. He was featured on their EP, Warmness on the Soul, and on the reissue of their first album, only playing on one song, "To End The Rapture." He also plays piano for the band on songs such as Seize the Day and Sidewinder . His father, Brian Haner Sr. is a musician and is often called Avenged Sevenfold's official acoustic guitar player for his appearances on their albums, such as the acoustic solo on City of Evil's "Sidewinder". Synyster Gates attended Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California as a child, and then the Musicians Institute in Hollywood[1]as part of the GIT program, studying jazz guitar. Django Reinhardt, Adam Aparicio and Roddy are cited as his favorites and as major influences. Synyster has won numerous awards, including the "Young Shredder" award of the year in the Metal Hammer awards in 2006 and the "Guitarist of the Year" Award for Total Guitar Magazine in 2006.
He has filmed numerous guitar tutorial lessons for Total guitar magazine In the Avenged Sevenfold DVD "All Excess," to emphasize the seemingly random placing of names, Synyster stated that his name was thought of on a drunken drive through the park with The Rev. He usually sports his trademark fedora hats at concerts.
Synyster was also a member of the band Pinkly Smooth, a side project with The Rev (Avenged Sevenfold's drummer), alongside former bassist of Avenged Sevenfold, Justin Sane (not to be confused with Justin Sane from Anti-Flag). Pinkly Smooth was disbanded because Synyster and The Rev wished to focus full-time on Avenged Sevenfold, although when asked recently, they both revealed there is a new side project being planned, featuring the two playing older Pinkly Smooth songs.
Synyster also has newly released a clothing line called Syn Gates Clothing. Eighteen Visions singer, James Heart has worn Syn Gates Clothing in Eighteen Visions' last two music videos.
He's currently dating Michelle DiBendetto, who is sisters with Valary, who is dating M.Shadows.

ZACKY VENGEANCE;
Vengeance has played guitar since he was thirteen years old, and is self taught. He plays the guitar left handed.
In the Avenged Sevenfold DVD "All Excess," he recalls that before Avenged Sevenfold, he played in a one time punk band called MPA*, which stood for "Mad Porno Action". He implies that they were not successful, and was arrested after their concert for "stealing all the mikes". He and M. Shadows (the band's lead vocalist) formed Avenged Sevenfold. He took the name Zacky Vengeance, stating that he had grudges against many people who doubted his success.
Vengeance has stated that there are many bands that influence him. "I still love the heavy bands. I love... Danny Elfman and Elvis Costello. It's all over the place - I think that's the best way to be."
Vengeance has been sponsored by Schecter Guitar Research since 2004, and has custom S-1 models out. He uses Seymour Duncan Pickups in all of his guitars and is currently a featured artist on the company's website along with Johnny Christ and Synyster Gates.
He's dating Gena Pahulus, who's a hair dresser. She does Zackys hair, and helps with his clothing line.

JOHNNY CHRIST;
Johnny Christ (born Jonathan Lewis Seward November 18, 1984) is the bassist for the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, from Huntington Beach, California, in Orange County.
He is the third bassist for Avenged Sevenfold, following the departures of Dameon Ash and Justin Sane. Christ is known for his mohawk hairstyle, which has recently been shaved. Now his hair is blonde and black. It was white, green and red. Occasionally, he is seen wearing a cowboy hat. He is the youngest and shortest member of the band, standing 5'4". Christ plays an Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling Bass. He first recorded on their second CD Waking the fallen.
On the Avenged Sevenfold DVD, "All Excess" while the members of the band were talking about how they got their stage names, Johnny said that when he first joined the band he would always sign "Johnny" when he was signing autographs, and the other members were ragging on him, stating that he needed a last name. Eventually Zacky Vengeance came up with Christ and said; "Hey why don't you become Johnny Christ?" Vengeance later said, "Yeah, Christ is a pretty ballsy name, and he's a little shit, so it fits."
Johnny is the younger brother of a schoolmate of Synyster Gates. He recalled being in high school and being picked on by Syn and The Rev. Later, when Avenged Sevenfold was created, he came down to the garage where they constantly practiced and tried to impress them with his bass skills.
He's currently dating Lacey Franklin, who's going to law school in California.

THE REVEREND THOLOMEW PLAGUE;
The Rev attended a Catholic school with A7X lead singer M. Shadows, but was expelled in the 2nd grade. His first record was released at the age of 18. He maintains a presence in the side project Pinkly Smooth with fellow Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates, as well as parts of surf-punk band Ballistico.
He was also formerly the drummer for third-wave ska band Suburban Legends, along with former Avenged Sevenfold bassist Justin Sane.
On the new A7X DVD while discussing how each member got their stage names, it was stated that Sullivan attained his name via a shortened version of The Reverend Tholomew Plague. The decision was seemingly random, as there were no specific reasons stated as to the inspiration for the name. He had a tendency to wear eccentric outfits such as outrageously colored kimonos.
Some of his favorite bands are Rancid, The Transplants and Slayer. Sullivan cites his influences as being Vinnie Paul of Pantera, Dave Lombardo and Paul Bostaph of Slayer, and Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater.
Sullivan uses and is sponsored by DW Drums, although he appears in advertisements for DW's budget company, PDP. He is also sponsored by Sabian cymbals, Pro-Mark sticks and Evans drum heads.
He's engaged to Leana Silver; despite all the rumors going around, they are not married!