Biography

At the age of 10, The Rev got his own drum set. The Rev attended a Catholic school with M. Shadows, and was expelled in the 2nd grade. The Rev was also expelled from Huntington Beach High School in 2000, and was then expelled from the reform school resulting in his dropping out. The Rev was in and out of homes as a teenager living in his car and at a laundromat where he worked. At one time he lived with Synyster Gates, where Papa Gates has said Jimmy is eccentric to a nearly dangerous level and is the most natural musician he has ever met.His first record was released with the band Suburban Legends 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. The Rev took part in the band Ballistico as their guitarist and vocalist. On the Avenged Sevenfold 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 or bath robes, baggy shorts, and flourescent socks. In the DVD, he was said to terrorize people on his campus while wearing the eccentric outfits , 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. Besides screaming with M. Shadows in songs Chapter Four and Eternal Rest, 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 album. 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 "Critical Acclaim”,” Scream" and "Lost", both from the eponymous album. He is now currently married to Leana Silver.