The Rev

Name: James Owen Sullivan
Stage Name: The Rev (Former: T
he Reverend and The Reverend Tholomew Plague)
Date of Birth: February 10th, 1981
Siblings: None
Parents: -
Position in band: Drummer

Equipment Used:

  • DW Drums
    • DW Maple Shells Withe White Liquer Finish(w. Black Hardware on Drums)
    • 22"x18" Bass (x2)
    • 8"x7", 10"x9", 12"x10" Rack Toms
    • 14"x12" 16"x14" Floor Toms (suspended floor toms)
    • 14"x4" Maple Snare
  • Hardware: DW 9000 series with all boom stands and 5000 series pedals
  • Cymbals: Sabian
    14"AAX Metal Hi-Hats, 7" Max-Stax Splash, 10" AAX Metal Splash, 19" AAX Metal Crash(x2), 22" AAX Metal Ride, 19" AAX Metal China
  • Sticks: Pro-Mark
    5B "The Natural" Maple drumsticks
  • Heads: All Evans

Childhood and Family

Jimmy was kicked out of high school (Huntington Beach High School) and was sent to a reform school, where he was also kicked out. He than dropped out of school and never completed his education. He did attend a Catholic school at some point with M Shadows (Matt) and they were both kicked out.

He met Brian (Synister Gates) in 8th grade metal shop, where he was kicked out of class for picking on Brian. But their love of music and both playing overcame that and the two are very close. Jimmy is accredited with having down a lot of 'corruption' on Brian and introducing Brian to many of his favourite bands spare G'n'R.

Jimmy has been to jail several times in his life, mainly for fighting, which he claims to have given up forever now. When he was 15 years old, he and a friend were caught stealing from an electronics store and than fled from the cops, they were both caught and were charged with armed robbery but plea bargained, he does NOT recommend fighting, stealing or fleeing from cops.

Is known for using drugs and drinking the hardest out of the band, but takes performances seriously.

Music and Playing Drums

Jimmy can also play the piano and guitar. In his former side project: Pinkly Smooth, he was the vocalist (stage name: Rat Head). He was the drummer in the band Suburban Legends before Avenged Sevenfold.

Favourite all time albums: Ride The Lightning by Metallica and Mr. Bungle-self-titled. And the Oingo Boingo live album.

Favourite bands in 5th grade: Metallica and Guns 'n' Roses, Slayer, NOFX, and Pantera.

Tattoos

Says that he is addicted to tattoos, he gets one and he gets ideas for a few more. He has one tattoo that scares him and he's thinking of getting it removed.

  • Zombie Virgin Mary – It was his first tattoo that a friend of his did, it took 3 hours and he got it because he was raised Catholic but didn't want a traditional Virgin Mary
  • FICTION – Going down the middle of his chest in red and black ink. Got it because that is the way his life is, if he told someone about it, they probably wouldn't believe him.
  • A set of handcuffs around his neck
  • The all seeing eye on the back of his neck above Sullivan
  • SULLIVAN and a 0 outlined on his back
  • Biblical gray scale design on his upper chest
  • Skull with small wings on his upper left arm
  • A hooded figure on a horse on his left arm (under the skull with wings)

Quick Facts

  • Favourite colours are blue and black
  • Liked touring with MEST and The Used
  • Nicknames: Flexi-Bob, Slim-Bob, Sulla-bin Laden, Rev-Dog
  • Sometimes seen wearing glasses
  • Is 6'4''
  • Doesn't want music played at his funeral (b/c that will be the cause of his death) wants to have a party, with a life sized dummy of him sitting in the corner tho...
  • Worked and lived at a Laundromat

Quotes

Your previous bassist Justin Sane's suicide attempt was the driving force that put you on the Take Action Tour this year. What would say to someone with thoughts of suicide?

The Reverend: I'd probably just want to listen to what he/she has to say because probably no one knows and that's why he/she feels that way.