Zachary James Baker, (born December 11, 1981) better known by his stage name Zacky Vengeance, is the rhythm guitarist and harmony vocalist for the American rock band Avenged Sevenfold.
Birth name | Zachary James Baker |
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Also known as | Zacky Vengeance |
Born | December 11, 1981 Huntington Beach, California |
Genre(s) | Hard rock, heavy metal, metalcore, punk rock, hardcore punk |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, guitarist, vocalist |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano |
Years active | 1999-Present |
Label(s) | Warner Bros. Records, Hopeless Records, Good Life Recordings |
Associated acts | Avenged Sevenfold, The Dear & Departed, Mad Porno Action |
Biography
Baker came up with his stage name "Zacky Vengeance" because he wanted to get back at all the people who doubted his success. He also came up with Johnny's stage name "Johnny Christ" because he wanted something that would upset many people,[citation needed] the name is in fact similar to the stage name of former Danzig (band) guitarist John Christ.
In the Avenged Sevenfold DVD All Excess he recalls that before Avenged Sevenfold, he was in a punk band called MPA*, which stands for Mad Porno Action. He implies that they were not successful. He and M. Shadows (who at the time was singer for a band named Successful Failure) formed Avenged Sevenfold. He was also responsible for the creation of the acronym "A7X".[1] He taught himself how to play the guitar when he was thirteen.
The guitar he first learned on was actually his dad's, who was right-handed. He learned by watching his favorite bands and other people he knew who played and practiced as much as he could. He would also read each edition of Guitar World cover to cover, learning the tabs of the songs published in there and watching the professionals perform it until he got it right. His influences in his style are Rancid, Misfits and Bad Religion. Zacky's favorite bands also include Pantera, Metallica, ELIXIR, and Guns N Roses.[citation needed]
In high school he played baseball and if it wasn't for joining Avenged Sevenfold he would be working towards the profession as a professional baseball player.
Personal life
Zacky released a clothing line called [1] "Vengeance University". The website's background features Zacky's symbol, the "V-Blade". The line currently features t-shirts, hoodies, and belt buckles. Many, if not all of the shirts in the line include his trademark "Est. 6661" or "V.U.". The site is updated weekly with photos of travels and a "Gangster of the Week". He has a sister named Zina Baker, who is now named Zina Pacheco. His sister has two kids named Gianna and Gavin. He has a brother named Matt Baker, who was with the band Dear & Departed. His parents are named James and Maria. He formed a band called Avenged Sevenfold with M. Shadows (Matt Sanders), the Reverend Tholomew Plague (Jimmy Sullivan), Synyster Gates (Brian Haner, Jr.) and Johnny Christ (Jonathan Seward). Zacky plays rhythm guitar alongside Synyster Gates.Guitars
Zacky uses Schecter Guitars, and endorses the company.
- The Vengeance custom S-1
- The Vengeance Standard model
- The ZV special designed by zacky vengeance
- The ZV Blade designed by dan
- The ZV special with FR (as seen behind the scenes in the Live in the LBC DVD)
- "Gynecologist"(blood splatter)
- Zacky has many custom shop S-1 models made exclusively for him.
- All models are loaded with Seymour Duncan JB Pickups
- Zacky has been seen using two Custom Shop Fender Telecasters in recent live performances (one in white one in yellow).
Amps
- marshall 1960b 4x12
- marshall jvm205 head
Effects units and accessories
- Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner
- Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
- Line 6 PODxt Pro
- Voodoo Lab GCX Audio Switcher
- Ernie Ball "Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom 10-52" strings[2]
- Dunlop Tortex Yellow plectrums 0.73mm (Avenged Sevenfold logo)
- White Get'm Get'm Sergeant Stripes Strap
- Dickel Reserve