Brian Elwin Haner, Jr. (born July 7, 1981), better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn or "Gates", is an American musician. He is the lead guitarist and backup vocalist for American hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold.
Guitar World magazine has ranked him as one of the top 50 fastest guitar players of all-time.
Brian went to Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California and also Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California.
...
more
Brian Elwin Haner, Jr. (born July 7, 1981), better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn or "Gates", is an American musician. He is the lead guitarist and backup vocalist for American hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold.
Guitar World magazine has ranked him as one of the top 50 fastest guitar players of all-time.
Brian went to Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California and also Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California.
He graduated from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood as part of the GIT program, studying jazz guitar. Up until that time he was primarily self taught by watching music videos and reading books, which is surprising because his father was/is a songwriter and guitar player, having played with Frank Zappa during his career. After six or so months of being there, he got a phone call from The Rev (and the rest of the current line up of Avenged Sevenfold barre Johnny Christ) asking him if he wanted to join the band as lead guitarist. Brian joined...
less