Synyster Gates

Real Name: Brian Elwin Haner Junior
Date of Birth: July 7th, 1981
Parents: Brian Haner, Sr., Jan Gera [biological mother], Suzy Haner [step-mother.]
Siblings: Brent and McKenna half brother Johnny .
Position in band: Lead guitar
Equipment used: Guitars

Syn currently endorses Schecter Guitar Research guitars

  • Schecter - C-1 FR, custom Avenger models

In the past, Syn has used a number of different guitars

  • Gibson - Les Paul
  • Parker Guitars
  • Ibanez - RG Prestige

Synyster normally uses Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader pickups in his guitars.

Amplifiers

  • Krank Revolution Head (Main)
  • Bogner Uberschall and Caveman
  • Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Speaker Cabinets

  • Marshall 4x12 cab
  • Bogner Uberkab 4"x12" and standard Bogner 4"x12"
  • Mesa/Boogie 4"x12" dual Recto Cabinet
  • Krank Revolution 4x12" cabinet (main)

Effects Units

  • Krank Distortus Maximus
  • Frantone "The Sweet"
  • Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb
  • Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
  • Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter
  • Boss CS-3 Compressor
  • Visual Sound H20 Chorus/Echo
  • Digitech Whammy Pedal
  • Jim Dunlop Dimebag Crybaby From Hell Wah-wah pedal
  • Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Π Fuzz Pedal

Accessories

  • Ernie Ball 'skinny top, heavy bottom' strings
  • Jim Dunlop Gator Grip 2.00mm plectrums-custom black with "Deathbat" logo printed
  • Voodoo Labs GCX Guitar Audio Switcher rack unit
  • Voodoo Labs DMC Ground Control Pro

Family and Childhood

Brian Elwin Haner Junior was born the 7th of July in 1981 to Jan and Brian Haner (Sr.) Brian has an older brother: Brent and a younger sister, McKenna.  He also has a half brother named Johnny Gera. 

Brian was the only member of Avenged Sevenfold to not attend Huntington Beach High School, but rather Ocean View High School. According to Brian, he met the rest of the band through The Rev (Jimmy Sullivan). The Rev and Brian met in metal shop back in 8th grade when Jimmy started to make fun of Brian, but when the two actually started talking, they realized they both played music and became almost inseparable.

He openly admits that he didn't do well in school. Brian was expelled but mostly likely acquired a GED and was accepted into the Musicians Institute in Hollywood in their GIT program (guitar program) where he studied jazz guitar. After six or so months of being there, he got a phone call from Jimmy (and the rest of the current line up of Avenged Sevenfold) asking him he wanted to come and be their lead guitarist. Brian joined up with them rather than continuing his education and becoming a studio musician.

Music and Playing Guitar

Brian was accepted into the Musicians Institute in Hollywood in their GIT program (guitar program) where he studied jazz guitar. Up until that time he was primarily self taught by watching music videos and reading books, which is surprising because his father (Brian Haner Senior) was/is a songwriter and guitar player, having played with Frank Zappa during his career.

His influences include: Dimebag Darrell (Pantera, Damageplan), Slash (Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver) and John Petrucci (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment)

His first guitar was given to him by his grandparents and his father showed him some of the ropes. One of the first songs he learned was "Stairway to Heaven". He transcribed most songs by himself and by sixth grade, he was playing by ear.

Claims to have come up with his stage name when he was 17 years old while out with Jimmy while drinking and driving around. Saying “I am Synyster Gates and I am awesome!!!" I don't know why I said it (laughs) but now that's my name!!!"

Joined Jimmy on a side project known as Pinkly Smooth, where he played guitar. Due to the success of Avenged Sevenfold, Pinkly Smooth is now retired.

Tattoos

Unlike most of the other members, Brian's tattoos have a general theme. Both of his arms are done with various monsters (“I just like monsters” is the only reason given for this) that are experiencing some type of torture. There is a head monster that is in charge, that resides on his right arm.
His first tattoo was when he was fifteen years old. It's of the number one and it's on the knuckle of his thumb.
He has a VII tattooed behind his left ear (like the one Jimmy has)
He has Haner across his upper back but doesn't like it due to the poor quality & rough design, which is why he doesn't go shirtless often.  He does have a tattoo on his left pectoral that says "blue blood".  

Quick Facts

  • He is a gun enthusiast.
  • Mostly seen with a fedora on.
  • Has designed his own guitars, one of which is now available for purchase.
  • Recently had a custom long low rider motorcycle built by the people who do American Chopper. It has a metallic snakeskin paint job and SYN on the gas tank.
  • Generally stays on the left side of the stage (audiences' right)
  • Brian admits that he wants to start a family.
  • Has a recording studio in his house, which is where he spends most of his time.
  • He's allergic to bees
  • He has so many hats that he has a hat box that often takes Jimmy's seat when they're traveling. 

Memorable Quotes

  • "Boom I got yo boyfriend!!! I got yo man!!! And she was so sad and I laughed so hard"
  • SKRATCH: I was talking to you guys a little about this earlier, and I know you don't consider yourselves a scene band—but how do you feel about the direction the hardcore scene is headed these days???
  • GATES: I hope they realize that music is music, and that music is not a scene, not a style. Music is a beautiful fucking thing to listen to. It is not a thing to fucking preach to others about, it's not a fucking cause. It is what it is—and that's a beautiful artform.

The Others On Brian

Why do The Reverend and Synyster act so mean in interviews??? Is it to try to contradict the boy band atmosphere surrounding Avenged Sevenfold on account of the song "Warmness on the Soul"???

They are mean because we get interviews and I print them out for us to answer and we sit there and laugh at all the stupid questions. So we just start writing shit down and they won't give serious answers, so I just edit it all and let them keep some of their answers. If I printed it all 99% of people would be truly offended. So when the live interviews come we are fucked. Oh well, thats them. *Matt*