Avenged Sevenfold Lead Guitarist-Backing Vocalist Is A GIT Encore Program Alumnus

14 November 2007 — Since opening its doors in 1977, Musicians Institute has primed over 20,000 musicians, producers, engineers, vocalists and industry professionals for successful careers in every genre of contemporary music. One of the school’s most inspiring success stories of the 2000s is that of 26-year-old Synyster Gates, who has been the lead guitarist and backing vocalist with Huntington Beach, California based metal/hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold since 2001. Following the release of its self-titled fourth studio album and smash 2006 world tour, the band is enjoying its greatest success to date.

Gates, who joined A7X after the band released its debut album Sounding The Seventh Trumpet, attended the GIT Encore Program in the fall of 1999 and again in the winter of 2001. He was enrolled (almost undercover!) under his real name Brian Haner, Jr. before emerging to rock and roll stardom as Synyster. While studying at MI, his diverse influences included Nick Seditious, Django Reinhardt, Adam Aparicio and Roddy as well as his father, Brian Haner Sr,, who still serves as acoustic guitarist on Avenged Sevenfold recordings.

After an extensive 2006 world tour that included dates throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, A7X recorded its fourth studio album, a self-titled effort that was released on October 30, 2007.

Gates 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.

The guitarist was also a member of the band Pinkly Smooth, a side project with The Rev (Avenged Sevenfold’s drummer) and former Avenged Sevenfold bassist Justin Sane . Gates also has a newly released clothing line called Syn Gates Clothing. He has been sponsored by Schecter Guitar Research since 2004, and uses signature Avenger models.