The Rev

The Rev

The Rev (born James 'Jimmy' Owen Sullivan on February 9 1981), short for The Reverend Tholomew Plague, is the drummer and backing vocalist of Avenged Sevenfold.

Biography

At the age of 10 The Rev got his own drum set. The Rev attended a Catholic school with A7X lead singer M. Shadows, but was expelled in the 2nd grade. He was also expelled from Huntington Beach High School for " a slew of behavioral infractions" ,and he was kicked out of the alternative school resulting in his dropping out. He spent a lot of time as a teen living in a laundromat and was in and out of homes. His first record was released at the age of 18.

He was also formerly the drummer for third-wave ska band Suburban Legends, and drummer/vocalist for Avenged Sevenfold side project Pinkly Smooth.

On the A7X DVD, All Excess, while discussing how each member got their stage names, it was stated that Sullivan attained his name via a shortened version of The Reverend Tholomew Plague. The decision was seemingly random, as there were no specific reasons stated as to the inspiration for the name. He had a tendency to wear eccentric outfits such as outrageously colored kimonos.Supposedly, he terrorized people on his campus while wearing them and rode around in a golf cart.

Some of his favorite bands are Rancid, The Transplants, Slayer, and Organized Riot. Sullivan cites his influences as being Vinnie Paul of Pantera, Dave Lombardo and Paul Bostaph of Slayer, Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, and Terry Bozzio

Sullivan uses and is sponsored by DW Drums, although he appears in advertisements for DW's budget company, PDP, his old tour set was a PDP. He is also sponsored by Sabian cymbals, Pro-Mark sticks and Evans drum heads.

Recognized for vocals in side project Pinkly Smooth, Sullivan is utilized as a back-up vocalist in Avenged Sevenfold. The single from the band's eponymous album, Critical Acclaim features Sullivan at lead vocals during the chorus of the song, both singing and screaming. His vocals are also featured in other songs from the Avenged Sevenfold eponymous.

The Rev is featured singing in the songs he wrote, "A Little Piece of Heaven", "Brompton Cocktail", "Afterlife", and "Almost Easy". He also sings in "Scream", "Lost", and "Crossroads", all from the eponymous album.

Equipment

Avenged Sevenfold [2007]

DW Drums

• DW Collector Series with a Snakeskin Wrap and Black Hardware on drums
• 22"x18" Bass (x3)
• 8"x5",8"x7", 10"x8", 12"x9", 14"x11", Mounted Toms
• 16"x9", 18"x16" Mounted Floor Toms
• 14"x5", 12"x4" Vintage Bronze Snares with Black Hardware

Hardware

• DW 9000 series with all boom stands
• DW 9000 pedals (sometimes a double)
• Pacific combo rack

Cymbals

• 14" Sabian AAX celerator Hi-Hats
• 19" Sabian Paragon Chinese
• 11" Sabian Signature Max Splash
• 10" Sabian AAX Splash Brilliant
• 19" Sabian AAX Metal Crash
• 10" Sabian Chopper Effects Cymbal
• 20" Sabian AAX Metal Crash Brilliant
• 18" Sabian Signature Fierce Crash
• 22" Sabian AAX Metal Ride Brilliant
• 19" Sabian AAXtreme Chinese Brilliant

Heads

• Evans EQ4 Batter Clear
• Evans EQ3 Resonant Black
• Evans Genera G2 Clear
• Evans Genera G1 Clear
• Evans Power Center Reverse Dot
• Evans Hazy 300 Snare Side

Sticks

• Pro-Mark TX5BW Wood Tip Hickory

City of Evil [2005]

DW drums

• White lacquer finish with black hardware - maple shells (PDP replica released at Guitar Center)
• 18" x 22" Bass (x2)
• 7x8 Tom
• 8x10 Tom
• 9x12 Tom
• 12x14 Floor Tom (mounted)
• 14x16 Floor tom (mounted)
• 5"x14" Snare Drum

Sabian Cymbals

• 14" Sabian AAX Stage Hats
• 18" Sabian AA Metal-X Crash
• 19" Sabian AA Metal-X Crash
• 22" Sabian AAX Metal ride
• 18" Sabian AA Metal-X China
• 9" Sabian Mike Portnoy Signature Max Splash
• 11" Sabian Mike Portnoy Signature Max Splash