Brendon Small — the metal multi-instrumentalist and mastermind behind Metalocalypse and Home Movies — is opening the vault. Starting July 30, fans will get exclusive access to The Official Brendon Small of Dethklok Reverb Shop, where he’ll part ways with a killer collection of guitars, signed setlists, gear cases, speakers, and other rare pieces from his storied career.
Small, who holds a degree in music from Berklee College of Music and sharpened his comedy chops at Emerson, became a cult hero by co-creating Home Movies and Metalocalypse, both of which aired on UPN and Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. While Dethklok began as an animated death metal band, it quickly evolved into a real-world metal phenomenon — complete with Billboard-charting albums, international tours, and a fiercely loyal fanbase.
But for Small, it’s time to let go of some gear — and he’s doing it for a good reason.
“After my studio was robbed in 2022 I realized that I really didn’t need to be in charge of this many guitars,” said Small. “Though I play music every single day, I cannot physically play this many guitars at once! Therefore I’m taking a healthy chunk and making them available for people who WILL play them.”
Among the highlights in the Reverb shop:
- A ’90s Les Paul Premium Plus — Small’s first-ever Les Paul and the second guitar he ever owned. Bought before his time at Berklee, it’s the “Home Movies guitar,” featured in the Guitarmageddon episode and early Metalocalypse demos. “I swapped out the pickups. Your guitar tech is going to look in the back and go ‘Who messed around with this?'” said Small.
- A 2007 Epiphone signature prototype, one of only two in existence, finished in matte black with strap locks, custom tuners, and a Metalocalypse logo — a relic from the early Dethklok days.
- A limited-edition Gibson Thunderhorse, one of around 250 made in the U.S. “Classic rock ‘n’ roll. You can play everything from Cannibal Corpse to Steely Dan on this if you want,” said Small.
- An early ’80s Gibson E2 Explorer, used on tour with Mastodon. It includes a unique mod that produces a Brian May-style phase-reversing tone in the middle pickup position.
- A ’61 Reissue SG, played on “Kill You” from The Dethalbum. Small hand-polished the neck with steel wool for a matte feel. “I basically voided the warranty,” he joked.
- A Joan Jett Melody Maker that shared the stage with Mastodon in 2009 and even caught Brent Hinds’ eye.
- A fretless Ibanez Iceman, used for the original Metalocalypse theme. Frets removed by Small’s brother. “You’re not going to find a guitar like this anywhere… unless you’re at a dump site, or underneath a city in the catacombs of some crazy trashy place. A place of your nightmares.”
- A Flying V that dates back to Small’s early L.A. comedy gigs and Home Movies DVD extras. “This was one of the guitars I had before I had too many guitars – if that’s even a thing.”
The shop will also feature signed Dethklok setlists, cases, speakers, and other collectible items tied to Brendon Small’s career as both a musician and animator.
Get ready to own a piece of metal TV history and gear up like the voice behind Nathan Explosion himself. The Official Brendon Small of Dethklok Reverb Shop goes live July 30.
