By John W. Barry

Neither heavy metal music nor cartoons do much for me.

Heavy metal music leaves me confused and I outgrew animation years ago.

But for some reason, I found "Metalocalypse," an animated program on the Adult Swim cable network that features heavy metal music, completely engaging. It's funny and it's eye-catching. It reaches me.

"Metalocalypse" co-creator Brendon Small, who also writes all the music for the show, is also fairly interesting. And his fondness for creative expression goes far beyond heavy metal music and animation. You can see for yourself this weekend how this guy stretches the boundaries of art. Small, a musician, is scheduled to perform two shows this weekend with students from the Ulster County-based Paul Green Rock Academy. Green was the inspiration for the film "School of Rock." The ensemble will be at the Chance in Poughkeepsie tonight, and at the Colony Cafe in Woodstock on Saturday night.

Small, who has performed stand-up comedy in addition to his other artistic pursuits, has performed in the past with Green's music students. Asked what the audience can expect this weekend, he replied with a laugh, then mentioned the 1976 film, "The Bad News Bears," which starred Walter Matthau.

"I've got a ragtag group of teenage misfits," he said. "I'll be the down-and-out Walter Matthau. It's some of the most fun I've ever had in my life."

The set list will include songs from "Metalocalypse." But underscoring the wide reach that both Small and Green maintain in the music world will be the inclusion of tunes from a "Metalocalypse"-shaped rock opera that Small recently released as an album. Small also spoke of the Who's "Tommy" and King Diamond.

"Some of my favorite parts of music are when people tell stories with music," Small said. "When I was a kid and I saw 'Tommy' on cable, or 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' I just thought, 'Wow, this is not just one song, it's a collection of songs. And it's moving me in a direction.' "

Small seems to love music in general. My interview with him touched on Rush's "2112" and Green Day's "American Idiot." But his passion seems to be heavy metal music, which is linked to his love of the guitar.

"When you're a kid in suburbia," said Small, who is originally from Illinois, "and you get your hands on a guitar — the truth is that the most prominent instrument in heavy metal is guitar — so you naturally lean toward the metal stuff. The kid down the street who knows a few more riffs than you is going to show you some Black Sabbath."

"The Paul Green Rock Academy with Brendon Small Presents an Evening of Rock and Heavy Metal" is set for the Chance, 6 Crannell St., Poughkeepsie, at 6:30 tonight. Admission is $15. Call 845-471-1966 or visit www.thechancetheater.com for information. This show will be staged at the Colony Cafe, 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, at 8 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $15. Visit www.colonycafewoodstock.com or call 845-679-8639 for information.

John W. Barry's column appears every Friday: jobarry@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4822. Twitter: @JohnBarryPoJo