Editing Brendon Small (section)

== Career ==

=== Media ===

Small was performing stand up 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 (TV series)|Home Movies]]''. Small and Bouchard co-created ''Home Movies'', an animated series that initially aired on the [[UPN]] television network which moved to [[Cartoon Network]]'s [[Adult Swim]] block. The series ran for four seasons from 1999 to 2004. Small was one of the show's writers, while Bouchard served as the director. In the series, he voiced the show's protagonist, eight-year-old aspiring filmmaker Brendon Small, as well as a number of other characters. Small composed the show's theme music, as well as writing and performing numerous other songs for the show's soundtrack.

Small lent his voice to a number of other animated shows. He co-starred as Chad in the [[Black Entertainment Television|BET]] animated sitcom, ''[[Hey Monie!]]'', and has voiced many supporting characters in ''[[The Venture Bros.]]'', including that show's [[shell shock]]ed and drug-addicted version of [[Jonny Quest]].  Small has 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 (United States)|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 not aired, was said to be produced by Small and [[Worldwide Pants Incorporated]]. Small has said that there are no plans to air the show but that anything can happen in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lambgoat.com/features/interviews/brendon_small.aspx |title=Brendon Small (Metalocalypse) interview // Interviews // Features // Lambgoat |publisher=Lambgoat.com |access-date=December 7, 2011}}</ref>

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.

Small served as co-producer, co-writer and composer for the Adult Swim animated series ''[[Metalocalypse]]'', which ran for four seasons from 2006 to 2012, along with a 2013 special, ''[[Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem]]''. The series focused on a fictional [[melodic death metal]] band named [[Dethklok]], and each episode features a song performed by the band. In addition to writing, directing and executive producing the series, he also provided voice talent for the characters [[Skwisgaar Skwigelf]], [[Pickles (Metalocalypse)|Pickles]], and [[Nathan Explosion]], three of the five members of Dethklok. Small has stated that while animation is his dream job, he does not really like watching animation that much.<ref name="libsyn1"/>

In 2007 and 2009, Small hosted the annual [[Guitar Superstar]] competition; in 2008, he was one of the judges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/press_releases/brendon_small_to_host_guitar_players_guitar_hero_2007_competition.html|title=Brendon Small To Host Guitar Player's Guitar Hero 2007 Competition|publisher=Ultimate Guitar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326235101/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/press_releases/brendon_small_to_host_guitar_players_guitar_hero_2007_competition.html|archive-date=March 26, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2010, Small directed [[Soundgarden]]'s music video for "[[Black Rain (Soundgarden song)|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/revolver-golden-gods-awards-2011-winners-full-show-recap |title=REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS 2011: The Winners & Full Show Recap &#124; Latest News |publisher=Metal Injection |date=April 23, 2011 |access-date=December 7, 2011}}</ref> Small attended the 2012 Golden Gods Awards and introduced [[Trivium (band)|Trivium]]'s set. He was nominated for best guitarist at the 2013 Golden Gods Awards but did not win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/award-show-battles/and-the-winners-of-the-revolver-golden-gods-awards-2013-are |title=AND THE WINNERS OF THE REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS 2013 ARE... |publisher=metalinsider.net |date=May 3, 2013 |access-date=May 5, 2013}}</ref>

In May 2014, Small wrote a column for ''[[Premier Guitar]]'' regarding his guitar techniques.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20911-shredmental-the-dancer-and-the-drummer |title=Shredmental: The Dancer and the Drummer |author= Brendon Small |date=May 31, 2014 |access-date=June 4, 2014}}</ref>

Small appeared on [[Ken Reid (comedian)|Ken Reid]]'s ''TV Guidance Counselor Podcast'' on May 15, 2015, as part of the Bridgetown Comedy Festival in [[Portland, Oregon]].

=== Comedy ===
Small has frequently performed stand-up comedy, first in [[Boston]], before moving to the [[Los Angeles]] area, where he performs now. Small was one of the hosts (along with [[Ron Lynch (comedian)|Ron Lynch]] and [[Craig Anton]]) of ''The Tomorrow Show'', a live weekly musical and comedic variety show; in his off-time, Small still occasionally appears as a guest.<ref name="Small Comedy Bang Bang">{{cite web |url=http://www.earwolf.com/person/brendon-small |title=Earwolf Bio – Brendon Small |publisher=Earwolf.com |access-date=August 28, 2014 }}</ref> One of his prominent forms of stand-up is character comedy, where he acts out a character he created. Some of the characters he has played are Captain Moustache, Victor Diamond, Tiny and Bernie Fretts, all of which he has performed as in the comedy podcast ''[[Comedy Bang! Bang!]]''.<ref name="Small Comedy Bang Bang"/> In recent years,{{when|date=August 2022}} Small's time has become booked from his music and television career, but he still occasionally performs stand-up at venues such as [[The Steve Allen Theater]], The Ice House and [[The Baked Potato]]. Small credits [[Monty Python]], [[Albert Brooks]], [[Woody Allen]] and the [[Marx Brothers]] as his biggest comedy influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westword.com/music/qanda-with-metalocalypse-and-dethklok-creator-brendon-small-5703510|title=Q&A with Metalocalypse and Dethklok Creator Brendon Small|author=Roberts, Michael|date=June 12, 2008|magazine=Westword|access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Bent2009">{{cite book|author=Mike Bent|title=The Everything Guide to Comedy Writing: From stand-up to sketch - all you need to succeed in the world of comedy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m7frDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT76|date=18 July 2009|publisher=Adams Media|isbn=978-1-4405-0174-6|page=76}}</ref>

=== Music career ===
[[Image:Brendonguitar.JPG|thumb|left|Small performing live with Dethklok]]
Small wrote all the music for the show [[Home Movies (TV series)|''Home Movies'']], and released all the songs he had written for the show on the [[Home Movies (season 4)#Home Movies: Bonus CD|''Home Movies'': Bonus CD]]. The CD was included with purchase of the [[Home Movies (season 4)|Season 4 DVD]] box set.

He wrote all the music for ''[[Metalocalypse]]''. In September 2007, he completed work on the first Dethklok album, ''[[The Dethalbum]]'', on which he collaborated 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/dethklok/the-dethalbum.htm |title=Review of the ''Dethalbum'' in Stylus magazine |publisher=Stylusmagazine.com |date=October 15, 2007 |access-date=October 31, 2013 |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330020412/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/dethklok/the-dethalbum.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album debuted at No. 21 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], making it the highest-ranked [[death metal]] album on the Billboard at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048649/rascal-flatts-races-to-no-1-in-debut-heavy-week |title=Katie Hasty, "Rascal Flatts Races To No. 1 in Debut-Heavy Week", Billboard.com|date=October 3, 2007 |publisher=Billboard.com |access-date=December 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/dethklok/the-dethalbum.htm |title=Review of the ''Dethalbum'' in Stylus magazine |publisher=Stylusmagazine.com |access-date=December 7, 2011 |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330020412/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/dethklok/the-dethalbum.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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 [[indie rock]] band [[...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movementnews.blogspot.com/2007/10/adult-swim-presents-trail-of-dead-and.html|title=Adult Swim Presents Trail of Dead and Dethklok National College Tour|date=October 18, 2007 }}</ref> The quartet reunited in 2008 to headline a longer "Dethtour", where they toured the US 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 No. 15 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], making it the highest charting [[death metal]] album in history, beating the first ''Dethalbum''. A tour in support of the new album began in late 2009, where Dethklok co-headlined with the band [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]].

[[File:DETHKLOK - Nokia Theatre - 6.25.08 (2612709027).jpg|thumb|right|Small in concert in 2008]]

Small performed guest vocals as Nathan Explosion on the [[Zimmers Hole]] song "The Vowel Song". Small contributed guitar work to the songs "Devils Teeth" from [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]]'s album ''[[Exhibit B: The Human Condition]]'', as well as "More Metal Than You" from comedian [[Brian Posehn]]'s album ''[[Fart and Wiener Jokes]]''. Small created the "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 [[Sylencer]]s' debut album ''[[A Lethal Dose of Truth]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2012/07/17/sylencer-a-lethal-dose-of-truth/ |title=Sylencer: the Unknown Chicago Musician Who Got An All-Star Lineup of Musicians to Play on His Debut Album |publisher=NoiseCreep |date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> 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 Guitar Corporation|Gibson]], a guitar made to his own specifications, and modeled after Skwisgaar's Gibson Explorer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Explorer/Gibson-USA/Dethklok-Thunderhorse-Explorer.aspx |title=Dethklok Thunderhorse Explorer webpage |publisher=Gibson.com |date=June 24, 2008 |access-date=December 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111012634/http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Explorer/Gibson-USA/Dethklok-Thunderhorse-Explorer.aspx |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BSGXXK |title=Gibson Dethklok Explorer Electric Guitar: Musical Instruments |website=Amazon |date=September 9, 2009 |access-date=December 7, 2011}}</ref> A limited edition [[Epiphone]] "Thunderhorse" Explorer, based on the Gibson "Thunderhorse" Explorer, was introduced in early 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epiphone.com/News/Features/Features/2013/Brendon-Small-Introduces-The-Epiphone-Thunderhorse.aspx |title=Brendon Small Introduces The Epiphone Thunderhorse To Dealers at NAMM |publisher=Epiphone.com |date=March 3, 2013 |access-date=July 15, 2013 |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524131016/http://www.epiphone.com/News/Features/Features/2013/Brendon-Small-Introduces-The-Epiphone-Thunderhorse.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> In May 2012, Small introduced the prototype for the Gibson Flying V "Snow Falcon", built to his own specifications, and modeled after Toki Wartooth's Gibson Flying V.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXpcFl0q0I4# |title=Brendon Small Interview Part 3 |publisher=YouTube |date=May 1, 2012 |access-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> The final version of the guitar was released on December 13, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Flying-V/Gibson-USA/Brendon-Small-Snow-Falcon-Flying-V.aspx |title=Brendon Small Snow Falcon Flying V |publisher=Gibson |access-date=December 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216150623/http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Flying-V/Gibson-USA/Brendon-Small-Snow-Falcon-Flying-V.aspx |archive-date=December 16, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In April 2012, Small released his debut solo album, ''[[Brendon Small's Galaktikon]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fangoria.com/index.php/component/content/article/105-fangoria-musick/7012-qaa-qmetalocalypsesq-brendon-small-on-qgalaktikonq-and-more |title=Q&A: "METALOCALYPSE's" Brendon Small on "GALAKTIKON" and more |publisher=Fangoria.com |date=May 3, 2011 |access-date=May 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505030210/http://fangoria.com/index.php/component/content/article/105-fangoria-musick/7012-qaa-qmetalocalypsesq-brendon-small-on-qgalaktikonq-and-more |archive-date=May 5, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The album featured Dethklok members Beller on bass and 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyblam.com/news/2011/07/15/dethklok-creator-brendon-small-talks-solo-project-due-this-summer |title=DETHKLOK Creator Brendon Small Talks Solo Project Due This Summer |publisher=DailyBlam.com |date=July 15, 2011 |access-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Small performed songs from ''Brendon Small's Galaktikon'' for the first time at "WesFest 8" on March 3, 2013, in [[West Hollywood]], California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weswehmiller.net/wesfest/wesfest-8/ |title=Wesfest 8 |publisher=weswehmiller.net |access-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ9gt__g8A0| title=Weekly Shred-ucation with Brendon Small: Lesson Twelve: Badass Tappy Thing | access-date=July 13, 2012 | date=July 13, 2012  | publisher=Youtube.com}}</ref>

Small, Beller and Hoglan got together to work on the third Dethklok album, ''[[Dethalbum III]]'', which was released on October 16, 2012. Small released a fourth Dethklok album, entitled ''[[The Doomstar Requiem]]'', on October 29, 2013, which is a soundtrack album to the ''Metalocalypse'' [[Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem|special of the same name]]. The album featured Hoglan on drums, Beller performing guest bass on a track, and [[Mike Keneally]] performing guest vocals.

Small released his second album, ''[[Brendon Small's Galaktikon II]]'', in 2017.

In 2021, Small released a new instrumental song, "Ghosthorse," to promote his new [[Epiphone]] signature model guitar, the GhostHorse Explorer.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Trapp |first=Philip |date=2021-04-23 |title=Dethklok's Brendon Small Drops New Galaktikon Track 'Ghosthorse' |url=https://loudwire.com/brendon-small-galaktikon-ghosthorse/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=[[Loudwire]] |language=en}}</ref>