Jacky Vincent


Jacky Vincent is an English musician who was the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the rock band Falling in Reverse from its formation until his departure in 2015 was the guitarist of the power metal band Cry Venom, and now concentrates on his solo career and teaching. Vincent has two solo albums; "Star X Speed Story", released in 2013 through Shrapnel Records that came third in the Guitar World 2013 readers poll for Best Shred album and "Life Imitating Art" released in 2018.
Jacky won the Alternative Press Guitarist of the Year award in 2012 and came third in the Guitar World "Best Shredder" readers pool awards in 2013.

Career

Early years

Jacky Vincent was born 23 January 1989 in Portsmouth, England.
He is one of three siblings, having one older brother and an older sister. His father was a luthier who also played guitar, as well his brother.
He began messing around with the guitar at the age of 5, played on and off for a few years, but did not start to actually practice until he was around 14-15. His first guitar was a 12 fret cheap nylon string that he inherited from his brother. His first electric guitar was a black Squier Stratocaster included in a guitar pack.
He has said that the moment he began taking the guitar seriously was when his cousins introduced him to both Racer X and Michael Angelo Batio. Before this, he primarily focused on playing like Slash and Joe Satriani. During his teen years, he was able to teach himself all of the Best of the Beast by Iron Maiden. Being an all-time fan of Iron Maiden, it was a great honour when Cry Venom were asked to cover "Aces High" on track 10 on Kerrang magazines Maiden Heaven Volume 2 - An All-Star Tribute To Iron Maiden, released in June 2016, accompanying issue 1623 of the magazine. He attended a music school in England, but has never stated which one, but has credited it with helping him with practice schedules.

Falling in Reverse (2008–2015)

Vincent joined Falling in Reverse in 2008 as a founding member of the band. They released their debut album, The Drug in Me Is You, on 26 July 2011, which peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200, selling 18,000 copies in its first week of sales. In December 2019 the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America with 500,000 copies sold. Falling in Reverse's second studio album, Fashionably Late, was released on 18 June 2013, which peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200. The band released their third studio album, Just Like You on 24 February 2015. On 30 October 2015, Vincent left the band on good terms to focus on his solo career.

Cry Venom (2016–present)

In 2016, Vincent formed a neo-powermetal band called Cry Venom with bassist Niko Gemini, keyboardist Colton Majors, lead vocalist Aleksey Smirnov and drummer Wyatt Cooper.
It is Vincent's first band since his departure from Falling in Reverse in 2015.
They released their debut album called "Vanquish the Demon" on 6 December 2016.
They embarked on a small club tour dubbed the "Vanquish the West tour" in mid 2017.
The band was also the opening act for LoudPark in Japan, however, Wyatt Cooper was unable to attend. Because of this, former Falling in Reverse drummer Ryan Seaman reunited with Vincent for the show.

Personal life

Vincent moved to the United States at the age of 20 and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In his spare time, besides playing guitar, he has stated that he practices the piano, has a passion for keyboard & plays a Korg Triton Extreme 88. He can be heard playing keyboard solos in songs 'Soul Shines Through' - & 'Grand Uppah' -. Keyboard inspirations are YUHKI of the Japanese band GALNERYUS & Janne Wirmen of the bands Warmen & Children of Bodom.
He trains in Muay Thai, enjoys playing video games and is an avid Final Fantasy fan, RPG's, fantasy & anime. Favorite games of all time are Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 8 & The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time'. Hobbies growing up included drawing in an Anime style but was replaced with guitar playing.

Gear

Guitars

Jacky Vincent has previously used Jackson guitars as his main instruments, and owns 1 Dinky and 2 Soloists. However, he is now endorsed by Dean Guitars. He now has two signature Dean Guitars, one of which is the main guitar he uses. It comes in purple, has 24 frets, has EMG pickups, and has a Floyd Rose Special bridge.
His other signature Dean guitar has the classic superstrat HSH configuration, has a bolt-on neck and comes in black finish with purple hardware and a maple neck.

Dean Guitars Endorsee

Jacky demonstrated Dean guitars on their stand at the 2013 and 2014 NAMM show in Anaheim California and guested at several Dean Guitar owners clinics at Deans factory in Florida working with Dean guitar owners to improve their techniques and to get the best out of their instruments. Dean were so impressed with Jacks friendly style and technical ability that they engaged him to be a Brand Ambassador and Jack gave a series of guitar clinics at Dean stores around China in 2016
Jack also plays a Kiesel Vader guitar that has been fitted with his favourite Di Marzio Evolution pick-ups. Being headless means that there is less weight to support so he can concentrate on left hand technique and a Dimarzio John Petrucci strap gets the instrument high enough to play at speed standing up.
For effects he uses a Fractal AX FX 2 XL loaded into a Gator flight case and Pro Tools in his studio.

Pickups

Vincent nowadays uses DiMarzio Evolution pickups in both neck and bridge positions.

Playing style

Vincent has an advanced knowledge of music theory, having a deep understanding of complex scale combinations and time signatures which assist him in his compositions.
He is known for his incredibly accurate picking, both live and in the studio. He is a bit unique in the fact that he strictly economy picks almost all of his fast runs, rather than alternate picking them. He has said the reason for doing this is to eliminate any extra hand and wrist movements, essentially making his playing much more efficient.
Vincent cited influences such as Paul Gilbert, Michael Angelo Batio, Vinnie Moore, Jason Becker, Shawn Lane, Allan Holdsworth, Brett Garsed, Frank Gambale, Guthrie Govan, Greg Howe, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Rusty Cooley, Andy Timmons, Scott Henderson, Derryl Gabel, and Rick Graham. Techniques most commonly associated with him include sweep picking, legato, tapping, and string skipping.
Jacky also states that his biggest influences as a child were his dad, brother, and bands like DragonForce, Sonata Arctica, Rhapsody of Fire, Galneryus, Heavenly, Dragonland, X Japan, and Angra. Jacky's brother also taught him how to tap on the guitar, as explained in his Alternative Press Interview.

Tours

Between tours, writing and product demonstrations, Jack also teaches his unique style of speed playing on a one to one basis via Skype
Since 2013 he has been a regular contributor to Guitar World magazine sharing his playing styles and has produced detailed videos complete with backing tracks, fretboard mapping and tablature.
2018 - Sweep Tapping Mechanics
2019 - Lethal Legato,
Ultimate Speed Picking
Extreme Shred Techniques.
Advanced Tapping Phrases

Discography

;Solo
;Falling in Reverse
;Cry Venom
;Collaborations