Births on February 15

Brendon Small, American animator, producer, screenwriter, and actor

Brendon Small, born on February 15, 1975, is an acclaimed American creative force renowned for his multifaceted contributions across stand-up comedy, animation, acting, voice acting, writing, directing, producing, singing, and musicianship. A true polymath of modern entertainment, Small has left an indelible mark on adult animation and the heavy metal music scene through his innovative projects.

A graduate of both Berklee College of Music and Emerson College, Small's unique educational background provided him with a robust foundation in both musical composition and comedic performance, skills that would become the hallmarks of his distinctive career. This blend of disciplines allowed him to craft projects that seamlessly merge sophisticated musicality with sharp, character-driven humor.

The Genesis of Animation: Home Movies

Among his most significant achievements is the co-creation of the beloved animated series Home Movies (1999–2004) alongside Loren Bouchard. Initially premiering on UPN, the show found its enduring home and cult following on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Home Movies distinguished itself with its unique "squigglevision" animation style in its early seasons and, more notably, its reliance on largely improvised dialogue. This approach fostered incredibly naturalistic and often hilariously awkward conversations among its characters, particularly the aspiring young filmmaker Brendon Small (voiced by Small himself), his soccer coach John McGuirk, and his friends Melissa and Jason. The series is celebrated for its low-key, character-driven comedy and its influence on subsequent adult animated sitcoms.

Unleashing the Metalocalypse and Dethklok

Small's creative genius soared to new heights with the co-creation of Metalocalypse (2006–2013) with Tommy Blacha. This groundbreaking Adult Swim series chronicled the absurd and brutal lives of Dethklok, a fictional melodic death metal band whose global popularity is so immense it brings about economic chaos and societal collapse. Far from being a mere cartoon gimmick, Dethklok transcended the screen to become a legitimate musical entity. Brendon Small personally created, performed, and wrote the authentic melodic death metal music for the virtual band.

Dethklok: From Animation to Arena Tours

Dethklok's real-world impact is a testament to Small's musical prowess. He provided the voices for lead vocalist Nathan Explosion, lead guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf, and drummer Pickles, among many other characters, while also performing all guitar parts and contributing significantly to the bass and drum programming for the band's studio albums. Dethklok released four critically acclaimed studio albums: The Dethalbum (2007), Dethalbum II (2009), Dethalbum III (2012), and Dethalbum IV (2023). These albums not only achieved significant commercial success, with all four charting on the Billboard 200, but also garnered widespread praise from the heavy metal community for their genuine intensity and musicianship. The band further solidified its status by embarking on multiple successful real-world tours, featuring Small and a live band performing Dethklok's catalog to sold-out venues, blurring the lines between animation and live music performance.

Beyond Dethklok: Galaktikon and Unique Artistry

Demonstrating his continued commitment to heavy metal, Brendon Small also launched his solo musical project, Galaktikon, which has released albums like Galaktikon (2012) and Galaktikon II: Become the Storm (2017). These projects allowed him to explore different musical themes and expand his creative horizons outside the Dethklok universe. Throughout his career, Small’s work is characterized by a distinctive blend of sharp comedic timing, often dark and satirical humor, and meticulously crafted musical compositions, solidifying his reputation as a truly unique voice in entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brendon Small

What are Brendon Small's most well-known animated series?

Brendon Small is primarily celebrated for co-creating the cult classic Home Movies and the heavy metal-infused sensation Metalocalypse, both of which gained significant popularity on Adult Swim.

Is Dethklok a real band, or just part of a cartoon?

While Dethklok originated as a fictional band within the Metalocalypse series, Brendon Small ensured its reality by writing, performing, and releasing genuine melodic death metal albums under the Dethklok name. The band has also performed live concerts with a full touring lineup.

What role does Brendon Small play in Dethklok's music?

Brendon Small is the primary musical architect of Dethklok, performing all guitar parts, contributing to bass and drums, and providing the voice for lead vocalist Nathan Explosion, as well as several other band members and characters.

What is Brendon Small's background in music and comedy?

Brendon Small is uniquely qualified for his work, having studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music for his musical training and Emerson College for his comedic and performance arts education.

Has Brendon Small worked on any other musical projects besides Dethklok?

Yes, in addition to Dethklok, Brendon Small has an acclaimed solo musical project called Galaktikon, through which he releases instrumental and vocal-driven heavy rock/metal albums.