Zach Blair American musician Date of Birth: 26.12.1973 Country: USA

Biography of Zak Blair

Zak Blair is an American musician, lead guitarist, and backing vocalist of the Chicago hardcore punk band 'Rise Against'. He was born in Sherman, Texas. From 1999 to 2002, Zak played in the band 'GWAR' as the chthonic demon Flattus Maximus. During his time with 'GWAR', Blair participated in the recording of two albums - 'You're All Worthless and Weak' in 2000 and 'Violence Has Arrived' in 2001.

Before joining 'Rise Against', Zak performed in the hardcore punk band 'Only Crime'. His brother, Doni Blair, also played in the same band and is currently a member of 'Toadies'. Blair was part of 'Only Crime' from 2003 to 2007, contributing to two albums - 'To the Nines' and 'Virulence'. 'Only Crime' was not the only project that Zak and Doni worked on together. They also founded the bands 'Hagfish' and 'Armstrong'. Zak spent a relatively short time with 'Armstrong', working on just one album. 'Hagfish' has been his longest-running project, playing with them from 1991 to 2001.

Blair briefly served as the second touring guitarist for 'The Loved Ones' and 'The Mag Seven'. However, his involvement with 'The Mag Seven' was only during the recording of their album 'The Future Is Ours, If You Can Count'. In 2007, Zak Blair joined 'Rise Against' as their guitarist. Prior to his arrival, the band had different guitarists, including Mr. Precision, Todd Mohney, and Chris Chasse. The first album Blair contributed to was 'Appeal to Reason', released on October 7, 2008. He also worked on their sixth album, 'Endgame', released on March 15, 2011.

Currently, Zak Blair resides in Austin, Texas, just like his 'Rise Against' bandmates Tim McIlrath and Joe Principe. He is a staunch straight-edger, as are his bandmates. Zak is a vegetarian and an advocate for animal rights. He has used his platform during 'Rise Against' concerts to promote the movement 'People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA). Throughout his musical career, Blair has played various variations of the 'Gibson Les Paul' guitar. It is known that he has a sticker of Bill Hicks and a skull and crossbones drawn on the back of his 'Gibson Les Paul Standard'.