Small started learning guitar at age 14 after a kid in his neighborhood began teaching him about guitar and music. 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. He graduated from Palma High School in Salinas, California. He graduated from the 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.
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.
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.
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 melodic 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.
In 2007 and 2009, Small hosted the Guitar Superstar competition and in September 2008 he was one of the judges. 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. Small attended the 2012 Golden Gods Awards and introduced Triviums's set.
Small recently finished work on the fourth season of Metalocalypse, which began airing on April 29, 2012.
Small performed guest vocals as Nathan Explosion on the Zimmers Hole song "The Vowel Song". Small also contributed guitar work to the songs "Devils Teeth" from 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 Sylencers' debut album A Lethal Dose of Truth. 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. A limited edition Epiphone "Thunderhorse" Explorer, based on the Gibson "Thunderhorse" Explorer, was introduced in early 2013. 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. The final version of the guitar was released on December 13, 2013.
In April 2012, Small released his debut solo album, Brendon Small's Galaktikon. 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. Small performed songs from Brendon Small's Galaktikon for the first time at "WesFest 8" on March 3, 2013, in West Hollywood, California.
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.
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 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 a follow-up record to his debut album, entitled Galaktikon II: Become the Storm, in 2017.
On My Way
Brendon Small Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I spread black love like fire
and I have killed all desires
I am a machine
don't want to see me again
apparently now I'm needed
and none of the warnings heeded
on my way called to say
on my way on my way
but now you've done it this time
gone and taken half my being
and the whole wide world is seeing
it must be rectified
who will I battle this time
is it the beast or she
I can't believe I'm still learning
that I'm my worst enemy every time
on my way called to say
on my way on my way
hold on someone's got your back
who cares what this means to you
don't think this will change a thing
but hold on someone's coming through
we have guests here tonight
make them feel welcome
not so easily
not so easily
recognize them
paralyze them
not so easily
whose death will it be
one small move it can change your life
whose last move will it be tonight
on my way called to say
on my way on my way
hold on someone's got your back
who cares what this means to you
don't think this will change a thing
but hold on someone's coming through
we are so tired
don't want no more
black love good bye
I'm moving on
The lyrics to Brendon Small's song "On My Way" are rich with imagery and metaphor. The opening lines, "and now Poseidon is dead / and I spread black love like fire / and I have killed all desires / I am a machine," set the tone for the rest of the song. The reference to Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, is a powerful symbol of the singer's dominance and authority. By killing him, the singer has metaphorically taken control of the seas and the world around him. The image of spreading black love like fire is both disturbing and compelling, suggesting a destructive force that cannot be contained.
The theme of control continues throughout the song, as the singer challenges his own weaknesses and struggles to overcome them. The lines, "who will I battle this time / is it the beast or she / I can't believe I'm still learning / that I'm my worst enemy every time," reveal a complex internal struggle. The "beast" and "she" are likely external forces that the singer must overcome, but it is his own weaknesses and flaws that he ultimately battles with.
Line by Line Meaning
and now Poseidon is dead
The singer is proclaiming the death of Poseidon, a powerful figure in Greek mythology, which could represent the death of an oppressive system or force.
and I spread black love like fire
The singer is metaphorically spreading love or passion with intensity, expressed as a black flame that consumes everything in its path.
and I have killed all desires
The singer has achieved a state of detachment from desire, indicating a sense of mastery or control over their emotions.
I am a machine
The artist is asserting their self-discipline and focus, likening themselves to a machine that can work tirelessly and without emotion.
don't want to see me again
Someone does not want to see the artist anymore, indicating a personal conflict or disagreement.
apparently now I'm needed
Despite being previously rejected, the singer is now being called upon for something, suggesting a shift in power dynamics.
and none of the warnings heeded
The singer's warnings or advice were ignored, possibly leading to a negative outcome or trouble.
now I'm in this too because of you
The artist has been drawn into a situation involuntarily, placing responsibility or blame on the other person involved.
on my way called to say
The artist is informing someone that they are on their way to a destination or event.
but now you've done it this time
Someone has done something particularly bad or significant, causing the artist to react in a more serious way.
gone and taken half my being
The other person's actions or words have taken a significant emotional toll on the singer, potentially causing a sense of loss or emptiness.
and the whole wide world is seeing
The artist feels exposed or vulnerable, as if their personal struggle is being witnessed or scrutinized by others.
it must be rectified
The singer is determined to correct or fix the situation, suggesting a need for justice or resolution.
who will I battle this time
The singer is anticipating a conflict or obstacle to overcome, expressing a sense of perseverance or bravery.
is it the beast or she
The singer is questioning who or what their adversary might be, using gendered language to differentiate between a feminine or masculine opponent.
I can't believe I'm still learning
The artist is acknowledging their own limitations or shortcomings, displaying a sense of humility or self-awareness.
that I'm my worst enemy every time
The artist realizes that they are often the source of their own problems or struggles, recognizing a tendency towards self-sabotage or negative thinking.
hold on someone's got your back
Someone else is supporting or defending the singer, offering reassurance or assistance in a difficult situation.
who cares what this means to you
The singer is dismissing the other person's opinions or concerns, indicating a lack of empathy or respect for their perspective.
don't think this will change a thing
The artist is warning against false hope or unrealistic expectations, suggesting that things may not improve or resolve despite the support of others.
but hold on someone's coming through
Despite the artist's caution, someone else is still offering help or support, suggesting a more optimistic outlook or possibility for change.
we have guests here tonight
The artist is acknowledging the presence of others, possibly indicating a social or public event.
make them feel welcome
The singer is instructing others to create a welcoming or friendly atmosphere for the guests, demonstrating a sense of hospitality or generosity.
not so easily
The artist is anticipating difficulty or resistance, indicating that anything worthwhile will require effort or struggle.
recognize them
The singer is urging vigilance or attentiveness, suggesting that there may be hidden dangers or threats present.
paralyze them
The singer is using violent or oppressive language, suggesting a desire to control or subdue others through force or intimidation.
whose death will it be
The singer is contemplating violence or aggression, asking who will be the target of their anger or power.
one small move it can change your life
The artist is recognizing the power of individual actions, indicating that a single choice or decision can have significant consequences.
whose last move will it be tonight
The artist is expressing a sense of confrontation or aggression, suggesting that someone may make a final or deadly move in a conflict.
we are so tired
The singer is expressing exhaustion or frustration, indicating that they have reached a point of physical or emotional fatigue.
don't want no more
The singer is declaring a desire to stop or escape a situation, indicating a sense of powerlessness or hopelessness.
black love good bye
The artist is using the phrase 'black love' to signify passion or intensity, but is now saying goodbye to those emotions or feelings.
I'm moving on
The artist is indicating a desire or necessity to leave a situation or relationship and start anew.
Contributed by Leah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.