Brendon Small
| Brendon Small | |
|---|---|
 Brendon Small in July 2010. |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Donald Cock (occasional stage name) |
| Born | February 15, 1975 Springfield, Illinois |
| Genres | Comedy: Improvisational comedy, observational comedy, character comedy, satire, slapstick Music: Melodic death metal, comedy rock, heavy metal, hard rock |
| Occupations | Animator, comedian, television writer, musician, and voice actor |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drum programming |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Website | www.brendonsmall.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| Gibson Explorer Dethklok "Thunderhorse" Explorer Brendon Small "Thunderhorse" Explorer |
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Brendon Small (born February 15, 1975 in Springfield, Illinois) is an American sitcom writer/producer, actor, comedian, voice actor, composer, and musician. He is best known as the creator of the animated series Home Movies and Metalocalypse and as the creator of the virtual death metal band Dethklok.
Contents |
Early career [edit]
Small started learning guitar at age 14 after a kid in his neighborhood began teaching him about guitar and music.[1] At his first public performance his hands shook so wildly that he had trouble controlling the guitar. It was another ten years before he was comfortable performing in public.[2] He graduated from Salinas High School in Salinas, California. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1997. During his music studies he concurrently took several writing and comedy classes at Emerson College. After graduating, he felt that the rock music genre was fading in popularity so decided to try his hand at comedy.[2]
He was performing at The Comedy Studio in Harvard Square when he was spotted by Loren Bouchard, who at the time was casting for the central character for a UPN pilot produced by Tom Snyder Productions which eventually evolved into Home Movies.
Career [edit]
Media [edit]
Brendon Small was the co-creator, writer, voice actor, composer and musician for Home Movies, a cartoon initially aired on the UPN television network and then moved to Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The final episode of Home Movies aired on April 4, 2004, after running four seasons, although the show is periodically rerun on Adult Swim. In the series, he voiced the show's protagonist, 8-year-old aspiring filmmaker Brendon Small, as well as a number of other characters.
Small lent his voice to a number of other animated shows. He co-starred as Chad in the BET animated sit-com, Hey Monie!, and has voiced many supporting characters in The Venture Bros., including that show's shell shocked and drug-addicted version of Jonny Quest. Small has also had cameo roles in Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Squidbillies, Reno 911!, and Frisky Dingo. Small along with Scott Adsit appeared as lead characters of the Adult Swim pilot Let's Fish; the show's pilot premiered on May 13, 2007, but the series was not picked up.
In April 2005, the Sci Fi Channel announced an upcoming debut of a half-hour animated ensemble comedy show created by Small titled Barbarian Chronicles. The show, which has yet to be seen, was said to be produced by Small and Worldwide Pants Incorporated. Small has said that there are currently no plans to produce the show but that anything can happen in the future.[3]
Small posed for a pictorial that appeared in the April 2006 issue of Playgirl magazine, as part of a humor-themed issue. Small posed naked holding a medieval flail and a strategically placed metal shield that hid his genitals. Along with comedians Ron Lynch and Craig Anton, Small has hosted the "Tomorrow Show", a weekly live comedy show at the Steve Allen Theater in Los Angeles.
Small's latest television project is as co-producer, co-writer, composer, and voice actor for the Adult Swim series Metalocalypse, which premiered on August 6, 2006. The series focuses on a fictional death metal band named Dethklok, and each episode features a song "performed" by the band. In addition to all of the behind-the-scenes work he does for the series, he also provides voice talent for the characters Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Pickles, and Nathan Explosion, three of the five members of Dethklok. Small has stated that while this is his dream job, he does not really like watching animation that much.[2]
In 2007 and 2009, Small hosted the Guitar Superstar competition and in September 2008 he was one of the judges.[4]
In 2010 Small directed Soundgarden's music video for "Black Rain", and The Damned Things music video for "We've Got A Situation Here".
Small's virtual band Dethklok appeared, via video, at the 2009 Golden Gods Awards. The band received the award for Best International Band. At the 2010 Golden Gods Awards, Small attended and performed with Brian Posehn's band and introduced Fear Factory's set. At the 2011 Golden Gods Awards, Small attended and introduced DevilDriver's set.[5] Small attended the 2012 Golden Gods Awards and introduced Triviums's set. Small had been nominated for best guitarist at the 2013 Golden Gods Awards but did not win.[6]
In early 2012 Small finished work on the fourth season of Metalocalypse, which began airing on April 29, 2012 and concluded July 15, 2012; the DVD was released on October 30, 2012.
On May 10, 2013, Small and Adult Swim announced that a one hour rock opera Metalocalypse movie special would air in October 2013, entitled Metalocalypse: The Doom Star Requiem.[7] It will pick up directly after the season 4 finale, and feature brand new music from Dethklok.[8] It is unknown whether this means that the Metalocalypse series has ended, as Small has stated in the past that his intention would be to do the fourth season and a movie and then end the show.[9]
Music career [edit]
Small wrote all the music for the show Home Movies, and released all the songs he had written for the show on the Home Movies: Bonus CD. The CD was included with purchase of the Season 4 DVD box set.
With his new series Metalocalypse, Small continued to write all the music for the show. And in September 2007, he completed work on the Dethklok album titled The Dethalbum, in which he collaborates with Gene Hoglan to deliver an authentic melodic death metal sound while simultaneously retaining the light-hearted nature with which Small portrays the heavy metal genre. The album debuted at #21 in the Billboard 200, making it the highest-rated death metal album on the Billboard at that time.[10][11]
In November 2007, Small, Hoglan, Mike Keneally and Bryan Beller performed live as Dethklok at twelve US college campuses in support of the Dethalbum. The Adult Swim-sponsored "Dethtour" featured Dethklok supporting the indie rock band …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead.[12] The foursome reunited in 2008 to headline a longer "Dethtour", where they toured the U.S. in June and early July with fellow metal bands Chimaira and Soilent Green. During the tour they released the ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead/Dethklok split EP for free at the concerts.
The second Dethklok album, Dethalbum II was released on September 29, 2009. Dethalbum II reached number #15 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest charting death metal album in history. A tour in support of the new album began in the Fall of 2009, where Dethklok co-headlined with the band Mastodon.
Small has done guest vocal work on the Zimmers Hole song "The Vowel Song". Small also contributed guitar work to the songs "Devils Teeth" from Exodus' album Exhibit B: The Human Condition, as well as "More Metal than You" from comedian Brian Posehn's album Fart and Wiener Jokes. Small also did a "Murder Mix" of the song "Liar" by Emilie Autumn from the Liar/Dead Is the New Alive EP. Small performed the solo for the song "Get It Up" (Van Halen cover) on Sylencers' debut album A Lethal Dose of Truth.[13] Small performs a guitar solo on the song "Let's Make Out" on the Sex Slaves album Call of the Wild.
In early 2011, Small introduced the Dethklok "Thunderhorse" Explorer from Gibson, a guitar made to his own specifications, and modeled after Skwisgaar's Gibson Explorer.[14][15] In May 2012, Small introduced the prototype for the Gibson Flying V "Snow Falcon", built to his own specifications, and modeled after Toki Wartooths Gibson Flying V.[16]
In April 2012 Small released his debut solo album, Brendon Small's Galaktikon.[17] The album featured Dethklok members Bryan Beller on bass and Gene Hoglan on drums. Small described the album as a "high-stakes, intergalactic, extreme rock album" and described it as being similar to Dethklok but with more melodic vocals and rock elements.[18]
On April 29, 2012, Small started a weekly guitar lesson video series on the adult swim Youtube channel, entitled "Shreducation", which consisted of 12 installments.[19]
Small, Bryan Beller and Gene Hoglan have finished the third Dethklok album, Dethalbum III, which was released on October 16, 2012.
Small performed songs from his solo album, Brendon Small's Galaktikon, for the first time at "WesFest 8" on March 3, 2013 in West Hollywood, California.[20]
Personal life [edit]
Brendon Small currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his dog, Ernie. Small is of Lithuanian descent.
Filmography [edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
| 2013 | Metalocalypse: The Doom Star Requiem[21] | Nathan Explosion Pickles Skwisgaar Skwigelf Charles Foster Offdensen |
*Creator *Producer *Writer *Voice Actor *Composer |
| 2012–2013 | Motorcity | N/A | *Composer |
| 2011 | Jon Benjamin Has a Van | Musician | *Episode: Smoking *Composed the song "Christ Pipe" *Composed the theme music *TV Series |
| 2011 | Bob's Burgers | Animal Control Guy | *Voice Actor *Episode: Sacred Cow *Animated Series |
| 2010 | Last Call with Carson Daly | Himself | *Air date: October 5, 2010 |
| 2007 | Let's Fish | Kevin | *Actor *Executive Producer *TV pilot |
| 2006–2010 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force | Rice Mascot |
*Voice Actor *Episodes: Hands on a Hamburger, Dickesode *Animated Series *Credited as Donald Cock |
| 2006 | Frisky Dingo | Brent & Trent | *Voice actor *Episode: Meet Killface *Animated series *Credited as Donald Cock |
| 2006–present | Metalocalypse | Nathan Explosion Pickles Skwisgaar Skwigelf Charles Foster Offdensen Various characters |
*Creator *Executive Producer *Writer *Director *Voice Actor *Composer *Animated Series |
| 2006–present | The Venture Bros. | Action Johnny Plastic Surgeon Hector Swifty Agent Hauser Sgt. Hatred (1 episode) Various Characters |
*Voice actor (10 episodes) *Animated series |
| 2006 | Ergo Proxy | Po | *Voice actor *Episode: Shôjo sumairu (English dub) *Animated series |
| 2005–present | Squidbillies | Dr. Jerry Devil |
*Voice actor (2 episodes) *Episodes: Family Trouble (voice actor), Mephistopheles Traveled Below to a Southern State Whose Motto Is 'Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation' (composer and voice actor) *Animated series *Composer (1 episode) *Credited as Donald Cock |
| 2005 | Lucy: The Daughter of the Devil | Classmate | *Voice Actor *Episode: He's Not the Messiah, He's a DJ *Composed the song Maneater *Animated Series *Uncredited |
| 2004–2007 | Perfect Hair Forever | N/A | *Composed theme music |
| 2004 | Reno 911 | Priest | *Actor *Episodes: Raineesha X, Not Without My Mustache *Composer *TV Series |
| 2003 | Hey Monie | Chad | *Voice actor *Animated series |
| 2000 | New Apartment | New Tenant | *Actor *Short film |
| 1999–2004 | Home Movies | Brendon Small Duane Perry Junior Adelberg Ken Adelberg Various characters |
*Creator *Writer *Producer *Voice Actor *Composer *Animated series |
Music videos [edit]
| Year | Artist | Song | Notes |
| 2007 | Dethklok | "Bloodrocuted" | Co-director (with Jon Schnepp) |
| 2010 | Soundgarden | "Black Rain" | Director |
| 2010 | The Damned Things | "We've Got a Situation Here" | Director |
Video games [edit]
| Year | Game | Role | Notes |
| 2013 | Metallica Pinball | "Sparky" and "The Snake" | [22] |
Discography [edit]
Solo [edit]
Dethklok [edit]
- 2007: The Dethalbum
- 2007: Adult Swim Presents: ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead on Tour with Dethklok (split album with ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead)
- 2009: Dethalbum II
- 2012: Dethalbum III
Soundtrack [edit]
- 2004: Songs Brendon's Not Allowed to Name (Also known as web) - Free online download, comprising songs from Home Movies.
- 2006: Home Movies: Bonus CD (released with the Home Movies Season 4 Boxset)
- 2006: Saw III soundtrack (European version) (featured Dethklok song "Hatredcopter"; credited as Brendon Small)
Video games [edit]
- 2006: Guitar Hero II (featured Dethklok song "Thunderhorse")
- 2009: Brütal Legend (featured Dethklok song "Murmaider")
- 2010: Guitar Hero 5 ("Metal Track Pack" DLC; featured Dethklok song "Laser Cannon Deth Sentence")
- 2010: Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (featured Dethklok song "Bloodlines")
- 2011: Saints Row: The Third ("Adult Swim" radio station; featured Dethklok song "The Cyborg Slayers")
Guest work [edit]
- 2006: Emilie Autumn – Liar/Dead Is the New Alive ("Murder Mix" of the song "Liar")
- 2008: Zimmers Hole – When You Were Shouting at the Devil... We Were in League with Satan (guest vocals on "The Vowel Song" as Nathan Explosion)
- 2010: Brian Posehn – Fart and Wiener Jokes (guitar work on "More Metal Than You")
- 2010: Exodus – Exhibit B: The Human Condition (guitar solo on "Devils Teeth")
- 2012: Sex Slaves – Call of the Wild (guitar solo on "Let's Make Out")
- 2012: Sylencer – A Lethal Dose of Truth (guitar solo on "Get It Up") (Van Halen cover)[23]
References [edit]
- ^ "Interview with Brendon Small (Metalocalypse, Dethklok, and Galaktikon". VampireFreaks.com. May 22, 2012. Retrieved 2013, April 11.
- ^ a b c WTF with Marc Maron Podcast, #48, Feb. 18, 2010[dead link]
- ^ "Brendon Small (Metalocalypse) interview // Interviews // Features // Lambgoat". Lambgoat.com. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ "Brendon Small To Host Guitar Player's Guitar Hero 2007 Competition". Ultimate Guitar.
- ^ "REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS 2011: The Winners & Full Show Recap | Latest News". Metal Injection. 2011-04-23. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ "AND THE WINNERS OF THE REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS 2013 ARE…". metalinsider.net. May 3, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
- ^ Adams, Gregory (May 10, 2013). "'Metalocalypse' to Premiere New Rock Opera This Fall". Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- ^ RobInjection (May 10, 2013). "Metalocalypse Creator Reveals DETHKLOK Rock Opera In The Works". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
- ^ Marl, Metal (August 18, 2011). "METALOCALYPSE: ONE MORE SEASON, A MOVIE, AND THEN DONE!". Retrieved 2013-05-12.
- ^ "Katie Hasty, "Rascal Flatts Races To No. 1 In Debut-Heavy Week", Billboard.com, October 3, 2007". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ "Review of the ''Dethalbum'' in Stylus magazine". Stylusmagazine.com. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ Adult Swim Presents Trail of Dead and Dethklok National College Tour
- ^ "Sylencer: the Unknown Chicago Musician Who Got An All-Star Lineup of Musicians to Play on His Debut Album". NoiseCreep. July 17, 2012. Retrieved 2013, April 11.
- ^ "Dethklok Thunderhorse Explorer webpage". Gibson.com. 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ "Gibson Dethklok Explorer Electric Guitar: Musical Instruments". Amazon.com. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ "Brendon Small Interview Part 3". Youtube. May 1, 2012. Retrieved 2013, April 11.
- ^ "Q&A: "METALOCALYPSE's" Brendon Small on "GALAKTIKON" and more". Fangoria.com. Mai 03, 2011. Retrieved 5-3-12.
- ^ "DETHKLOK Creator Brendon Small Talks Solo Project Due This Summer". DailyBlam.com. July 15, 2011. Retrieved 9-24-11.
- ^ "Weekly Shred-ucation with Brendon Small: Lesson Twelve: Badass Tappy Thing". Youtube.com. Jul 13, 2012. Retrieved Jul 13, 2012.
- ^ "Wesfest 8". weswehmiller.net. Retrieved 2013, April 11.
- ^ Adams, Gregory (May 10, 2013). "'Metalocalypse' to Premiere New Rock Opera This Fall". Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- ^ "Metallica Detail Their Three Upcoming Pinball Tables". ThePRP.com. 04.11.13. Retrieved 2013, April 11.
- ^ "A lethal dose of truth". BandCamp.com. Retrieved 2012, Aug. 27.
External links [edit]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Brendon Small |
- Official website
- Brendon Small at the Internet Movie Database
- Brendon's Myspace
- Brendon's Twitter
- Brendon Small's Berklee Alumni profile
- Songs Brendon's not allowed to name - brendonsmall.com[dead link]
- SCI FI Reveals New Series[dead link], including Barbarian Chronicles
- Brendon Small interview (2008)
- Scene Missing Magazine Interviews Brendon Small
- Interview with Brendon Small at Lambgoat.com
- Interview with Brendon Small at Metalunderground.com
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- Home Movies (TV series)
- 1975 births
- Metalocalypse
- American animators
- American cartoonists
- American comedy musicians
- American composers
- American heavy metal bass guitarists
- American heavy metal guitarists
- American heavy metal singers
- American male singers
- American multi-instrumentalists
- Death metal musicians
- American satirists
- American stand-up comedians
- American television actors
- American television directors
- American television writers
- American voice actors
- People from Springfield, Illinois
- Berklee College of Music alumni
- American people of Lithuanian descent
- Living people
