Johnny Christ

Jonathan Lewis Seward, (born November 18, 1984), better known by his stage name Johnny Christ, is the bassist for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Johnny Christ was the fourth bassist to join Avenged Sevenfold in 2002, replacing former members Matt Wendt, Dameon Ash, and Justin Sane. He grew up in Huntington Beach, California.

Biography
Johnny Christ attended Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California. He proceeded through high school and eventually formally met M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Synyster Gates, and The Rev (the latter two he already knew from school). Following the departure of Dameon Ash in 2002, he was invited to fill the position as Avenged Sevenfold's bassist. He is friends with Zacky Vengeance's younger brother Matt Baker formerly from the band The Dear & Departed. In May 2009 he participated in the Gumball 3000 Rally, driving coast to coast with the Fuel Girls.

Musical career
Johnny initially took a few weeks off from high school during his senior year to fill in for Avenged Sevenfold's previous bassist, Dameon Ash, during one of their tours. These few weeks would become permanent as Johnny dropped out of high school to become the band's current bassist.

His two biggest influences are Cliff Burton (late bassist for Metallica) and Duff McKagan (the bassist from Velvet Revolver and formerly Guns N' Roses).

His playing style varies by song.

Johnny first recorded on their second album Waking the Fallen. He used to write only Johnny on his autographs until Zacky came up with the name "Johnny Christ", and in All Excess he said, "That sounds... really ballsy. Everyone's gonna hate that, so... I should definitely go with that." He resides in Huntington Beach, Orange County.