Sunday, November 01, 2009
Quick, A+E, Music, Movies, Q&A

Brendon Small

SP talks to Brendon about Metalocalypse, Dethklok, and the Adult Swim Presents tour

Brendon Small
Courtesy of Turner Broadcasting

Brendon Small is the co-creator of Adult Swim’s “Metalocalypse,” which chronicles the adventures of the death-metal band Dethklok, the biggest entertainment act on the planet. Small, who writes the music for the show, is one of the musicians bringing Dethklok to life on two albums (“The Dethalbum” and the recent “Dethalbum II”) and on stage during the current “Adult Swim Presents” tour.

Where did you come up with the idea for "Metalocalpyse?"

It's a two-fold idea. A. One idea was, I like metal a lot. B. ... Maybe it was just a one-fold idea. [He laughs.] I did a show a long time ago called "Home Movies" and it got cancelled, so I needed a new job. I went to music school in Boston, but I put my guitar down to focus on the show. After that, I picked it back up and fell in love with my guitar again. That's how the show came about.

What can audiences expect from a Dethklok show?

Well, our show is a multimedia live show. We’re playing music from our last two records. [Animated footage of Dethklok is] projected onto a movie theater-sized screen behind us. Three other musicians play with me. We play very fast and loud and very entertaining. It’s meant to feel like a big stupid Disney ride, where the audience is part of the whole thing.

How has it been working with Mastodon?

It's funny, I made friends with them very quickly. They have a great sense of humor and I like their music. They’re super-awesome guys.

What else are you working on?

The next three months are full. When I'm on the road, I’m constantly thinking about the show. I’m working on the third season of “Metalocalpyse.” After that, I’ll take a break and figure out what I'm doing next.—Meghan Kotowski