Rob Scallon

Scallon was born on August 26, 1990, in Champaign, Illinois, and was raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois.{{Cite web|first1=Rob|last1=Scallon|title=Seeing my signature guitar in my hometown Guitar Center|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcxoy5ONTAw&feature=youtu.be|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=YouTube|date=April 19, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108070532/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcxoy5ONTAw&feature=youtu.be|url-status=live}} As a child, he and his friends would visit their local Guitar Center and play instruments, although would never buy any due to lack of money. He was gifted his first guitar, a nylon-string classical, from his friend's father. He used it to write his first solo songs, and it was featured in many of his early videos.

As a teenager, Scallon played drums in a metal band called Gas Mask Catalogue.

File:The Cristal Baschet Rob Scallon.webm, 2022]]

Scallon began uploading to YouTube in February 2007, and began to develop a following in 2008. His popularity launched as he began to cover metal songs with folk and country instruments. Most notable are his renditions of songs on banjo, including "Raining Blood" by Slayer,{{cite news |last1=Hartmann |first1=Graham |title=Banjo Player Crushes Slayer's 'Raining Blood' |url=https://loudwire.com/banjo-player-slayer-raining-blood/ |access-date=April 19, 2021 |work=Loudwire |date=May 27, 2014 |language=en |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419220538/https://loudwire.com/banjo-player-slayer-raining-blood/ |url-status=live}} "Master of Puppets" by Metallica,{{cite news |last1=Pasbani |first1=Robert |title=The METALLICA "Master of Puppets" Banjo Cover You've Been Waiting For |url=https://metalinjection.net/video/metallica-master-of-puppets-banjo-cover |access-date=April 19, 2021 |work=Metal Injection |date=May 2, 2016 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419220553/https://metalinjection.net/video/metallica-master-of-puppets-banjo-cover |url-status=live}} and "Psychosocial" by Slipknot, the latter featuring a cameo appearance by Corey Taylor.{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=John |title=Rob Scallon Drops Banjo Cover of Slipknot's 'Psychosocial' With Corey Taylor Cameo |url=https://loudwire.com/rob-scallon-banjo-cover-slipknot-psychosocial-cameo-corey-taylor/ |access-date=April 19, 2021 |work=Loudwire |date=August 28, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419220537/https://loudwire.com/rob-scallon-banjo-cover-slipknot-psychosocial-cameo-corey-taylor/ |url-status=live}} His videos have featured collaborations with Andrew Huang, Boyinaband, Davie504, Doug Walker, Jared Dines, Leo Moracchioli, Mary Spender, Sarah Longfield, Michael Angelo Batio, and Alex Rüdinger.

Scallon is also part of two collaborative projects with Andrew Huang. The first is called First of October, a novelty band that records an album within one recording session every October 1.{{cite web |last1=Stolzer-Gary |first1=Isaac |title=Here's What An Album Written And Recorded In 10 Hours Sounds Like |url=https://geargods.net/new-music/album-written-and-recorded-10-hours/ |website=GearGods |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |date=October 16, 2018 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024170547/https://geargods.net/new-music/album-written-and-recorded-10-hours/ |url-status=live}} The second is called Sonic Boom, a YouTube music show where the pair take on a variety of musical challenges, often utilizing unusual instruments, time limits for creating full songs, and other factors.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhOBsqDeChM&list=PLW9UYOmoXTQljGFiGbfAf9egvFVzQF28G |title=The most expensive sound on earth (Sonic Boom) |language=en |access-date=2024-05-09 |via=www.youtube.com}}

File:Perfect Strangers 2016 01 - Rob Scallon (cropped).png

Scallon has released several solo albums. While most are self-released, his EP Anchor and LP The Scene is Dead are sold through DFTBA Records.{{cite web |title=Rob Scallon |url=https://store.dftba.com/collections/rob-scallon |website=DFTBA |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620185957/https://store.dftba.com/collections/rob-scallon |url-status=live}} His releases have featured instrumentalists such as Jeff Loomis, Rabea Massaad, Ola Englund, and Pete Cottrell. He plays drums in the band Hank Green and the Perfect Strangers, and their debut album Incongruent peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Comedy Albums chart in 2014.{{cite magazine |title=Hank Green And The Perfect Strangers |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/hank-green-and-the-perfect-strangers |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327050748/https://www.billboard.com/music/hank-green-and-the-perfect-strangers |url-status=live}}

Scallon released a signature series of guitars with Chapman Guitars in 2017.{{cite web |title=Chapman Artist Rob Scallon |url=https://www.chapmanguitars.co.uk/artist/rob-scallon/ |website=Chapman Guitars |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=January 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121114251/http://www.chapmanguitars.co.uk/artist/Rob-Scallon |url-status=live}} Three more guitars were added to his line in 2020.{{cite web |last1=Breathnach |first1=Cillian |title=NAMM 2020 video: Rob Chapman runs us through what's new for Chapman in 2020 |url=https://guitar.com/news/gear-news/namm-2020-rob-chapman-chappers-guitars/ |website=Guitar.com |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |date=January 20, 2020 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929041707/https://guitar.com/news/gear-news/namm-2020-rob-chapman-chappers-guitars/ |url-status=live}} In 2022, Scallon ended his partnership with Chapman and launched a new line of guitars with Schecter.{{cite web |last1=Roche |first1=Sam |title=Rob Scallon launches new signature line with Schecter, marking end of partnership with Chapman Guitars |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/rob-scallon-schecter-signature-guitars |website=Guitar World |access-date=26 May 2022 |language=en |date=24 May 2022}}

Scallon, in partnership with Sweetwater Sound, received a Guinness World Record for the largest guitar effect pedalboard in 2019. The rig included 319 individual pedals, 34 pedalboards, and over {{convert|500|ft}} of cables.{{cite web |last1=Astley-Brown |first1=Michael |title=Rob Scallon and Sweetwater just broke the world record for the largest guitar effect pedalboard |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/amp/news/sweetwater-just-broke-the-world-record-for-the-worlds-largest-guitar-effect-pedalboard |website=Guitar World |date=August 30, 2019 |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217092052/https://www.guitarworld.com/amp/news/sweetwater-just-broke-the-world-record-for-the-worlds-largest-guitar-effect-pedalboard |url-status=live}} On January 1, 2021, Scallon launched GuitarQuest, a paid online course to teach people how to play guitar.{{cite news |first1=Matt |last1=Owen |title=Rob Scallon launches mission-based learning platform, GuitarQuest |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/rob-scallon-launches-mission-based-learning-platform-guitarquest |access-date=April 19, 2021 |work=Guitar World |date=March 29, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419220518/https://www.guitarworld.com/news/rob-scallon-launches-mission-based-learning-platform-guitarquest |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Benitez-Eves |first1=Tina |title=Rob Scallon Teams Up with Guitareo, Offering Personalized Guitar Course |url=https://americansongwriter.com/rob-scallon-teams-up-with-guitareo-offering-personalized-guitar-course/ |access-date=April 19, 2021 |work=American Songwriter |date=March 23, 2021 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419220534/https://americansongwriter.com/rob-scallon-teams-up-with-guitareo-offering-personalized-guitar-course/ |url-status=live}} Later that year, he released the song "MudHook" featuring Unearth drummer Nick Pierce.{{cite news |last1=Neilstein |first1=Vince |title=Rob Scallon Unveils New Song and Video, "MudHook" |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2021/03/23/rob-scallon-unveils-new-song-and-video-mudhook/ |access-date=April 19, 2021 |work=MetalSucks |date=March 23, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419220526/https://www.metalsucks.net/2021/03/23/rob-scallon-unveils-new-song-and-video-mudhook/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Kennelty |first1=Greg |title=Rob Scallon Drops New Eight-String Song "MudHook" |url=https://metalinjection.net/video/rob-scallon-drops-new-eight-string-song-mudhook |access-date=April 19, 2021 |work=Metal Injection |date=March 22, 2021 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419220543/https://metalinjection.net/video/rob-scallon-drops-new-eight-string-song-mudhook |url-status=live}}

On September 26, 2024, Scallon released Crowded Rooms, an album mixing heavy metal and Midwest emo.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhFo0-zwPow |title=Making an Album in 4 Years |language=en |access-date=2024-09-26 |via=www.youtube.com}}

On June 10, 2023, Scallon announced that he has been working in partnership with Ritual Studios development studio to produce a pixel-art adventure video game called Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson. The main character and game's universe are directly inspired by Scallon.{{cite news |last1=Fuller |first1=Alex |title=Music-Based RPG Fretless Revealed |url=https://rpgamer.com/2023/06/music-based-rpg-fretless-revealed/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |work=RPGamer |date=11 June 2023}} Gameplay will be focused on rhythm-based combat with RPG elements.{{cite news |last1=Vitale |first1=Adam |title=Musical pixel-art turn-based RPG Fretless announced for PC |url=https://www.rpgsite.net/news/14346-musical-pixel-art-turn-based-rpg-fretless-announced-for-pc |access-date=21 January 2025 |work=RPG Site |date=10 June 2023 |language=en}} Australian industrial metal band Northlane will be contributing to the soundtrack.{{cite news |title=Hear NORTHLANE's "slightly light-hearted" new song "Welcome to the Industry" |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-northlanes-slightly-light-hearted-new-song-welcome-to-the-industry/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |work=Revolver |date=5 November 2024}}

Scallon's younger brother, John, also played music as a teenager. He left his instruments behind for Rob when leaving for college.{{Cite web|last=Scallon|first=Rob|title=My Instrument Collection|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgCsDPNG7mM&feature=youtu.be|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=YouTube|date=May 2, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101194447/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgCsDPNG7mM&feature=youtu.be|url-status=live}} Several instruments in Scallon's personal collection are custom made through collaborations with other content creators.{{cite news |last1=Bienstock |first1=Richard |title=The guitar world is freaking out over B-Benders again – and it's all Rob Scallon's fault |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/the-guitar-world-is-freaking-out-over-b-benders-again-and-its-all-rob-scallons-fault |access-date=January 2, 2021 |work=Guitar World |date=March 3, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124130551/https://www.guitarworld.com/news/the-guitar-world-is-freaking-out-over-b-benders-again-and-its-all-rob-scallons-fault |url-status=live }}

Scallon began dating actress, comedian, and YouTuber Tamara Chambers in 2012.{{cite web |title=Yesterday was Tamara and my two year anniversary. So we went to Headquarters Beercade and vlogged about it. |url=https://www.facebook.com/RobScallonMusic/posts/576633869076911 |website=facebook.com}}{{cite web |title=Chicago's most popular young metal guitarist plays on YouTube, not onstage |url=https://chicagoreader.com/music/chicagos-most-popular-young-metal-guitarist-plays-on-youtube-not-onstage/ |website=chicagoreader.com|date=March 29, 2017 }} They married in November 2020.{{Cite web|last=Scallon|first=Rob|date=November 7, 2020|title=Married!|url=https://www.facebook.com/RobScallonMusic/photos/a.589068431166788/4881359555270966/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA4J-2UgtYNdk5tMFyDwX-rJLzfngIFIKbOnOzpvAJ3DAcLqnNQ0AT7Qlh-4abI3e6zTINFJ7rGvzV0AQVV9mcwRFrfhC-47cp2bPkYmCiTaXiunm0ohRvW3_dMszXjw5MpqmkTEwpwu0nTyvAF0pG_uvxBsHQJE6RFlZ3LyTjSGtlSr0faENMOOIqrDeQdQ-X4MwGitY30EWi4jbP9NkAwmDoI7djftncqMKakpBXt_cJ9VX3jnjVScip2DHGl5OBTNfVR9pHv_N1WG_8WC5vBxB6vSx8cAqy8KZxXz4oDdQBPHwB3GNLPEj8l96hF-YEzd7vI8646TnGqEdJ9FnYxcg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409074348/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRobScallonMusic%2Fphotos%2Fa.589068431166788%2F4881359555270966%2F%3Ftype%3D3%26__xts__%255B0%255D%3D68.ARA4J-2UgtYNdk5tMFyDwX-rJLzfngIFIKbOnOzpvAJ3DAcLqnNQ0AT7Qlh-4abI3e6zTINFJ7rGvzV0AQVV9mcwRFrfhC-47cp2bPkYmCiTaXiunm0ohRvW3_dMszXjw5MpqmkTEwpwu0nTyvAF0pG_uvxBsHQJE6RFlZ3LyTjSGtlSr0faENMOOIqrDeQdQ-X4MwGitY30EWi4jbP9NkAwmDoI7djftncqMKakpBXt_cJ9VX3jnjVScip2DHGl5OBTNfVR9pHv_N1WG_8WC5vBxB6vSx8cAqy8KZxXz4oDdQBPHwB3GNLPEj8l96hF-YEzd7vI8646TnGqEdJ9FnYxcg|archive-date=April 9, 2022|access-date=November 20, 2020|website=Facebook}} They have collaborated on various projects, such as a 2012 Good Mythical Morning episode introduction{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=April 2, 2012|title=Mr T and the Awesomeness of VHS|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cfeEW7Pgpc|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128040153/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cfeEW7Pgpc|archive-date=November 28, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020|website=YouTube|publisher=Good Mythical Morning}} and a 2014 cover of Pharrell's "Happy".{{Cite magazine|last=Reed|first=Ryan|date=April 21, 2014|title=Pharrell's 'Happy' Becomes 'Vine Symphony'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-pharrells-happy-interpreted-as-vine-symphony-189803/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128142719/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-pharrells-happy-interpreted-as-vine-symphony-189803/|archive-date=November 28, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}

In July 2024, Scallon uploaded a video confirming that he suffers from bipolar I disorder, having been diagnosed with it the previous year.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpMN2Rbfn2A |title=I have Bipolar 1 disorder (mania, psychosis and my mental health struggles of 2023) |date=2024-07-06 |last=Rob Scallon |access-date=2024-07-08 |via=YouTube}}

{{div col}}

;Studio albums

• Summer (2008)
• The Ride Home (2009)
• The Winter's Months (2011)
• Rob Scallon (2012)
• Aldine (2014)
• The Scene Is Dead (2017)
• Crowded Rooms (2024)

;Extended plays

• A Purple Cello EP (2013)
• Anchor (2014)
• Metal Mad Libs 1-6 (with Eddie Guillen) (2016)
• Sunday Uke Group (2018)

;Singles

• "Anchor" (2013)
• "We Wish You A Backwards Christmas" (2013)
• "Musical Mad Libs" (ft. Tamara Chambers) (2014)
• "Musical Mad Libs 3 - #Swagyolo" (ft. Tamara Chambers) (2014)
• "iPhone Beard Metal" (2014)
• "A Collapse" (2014)
• "Procrastination Bass'in" (2014)
• "The Wheezy Song" (2014)
• "A Westbound Train" (2014)
• "Frantic Disembowelment (ukulele cover)" (2014)
• "Raining Blood (banjo cover)" (2014)
• "War Ensemble (ukulele cover)" (2014)
• "Aerials (cello cover)" (2014)
• "Chop Suey (cello cover)" (2014)
• "Spill The Blood (cello cover)" (2014)
• "Progressive Metal Town" (2014)
• "Homehomehome" (2014)
• "Metal in Inappropriate Places (ft. Fluff)" (2014)
• "Angel of Death (Banjo cover)" (2014)
• "A Half Hour of Acoustic Guitar" (2014)
• "I Fucking Love Christmas (ft. Doug Walker)" (2014)
• "Envy" (2014)
• "Torque Soul" (2015)
• "Royale" (2015)
• "Half Hour of 12 String Guitar" (2015)
• "Sunken Ships" (2016)
• "Unconditional" (2016)
• "A False Closeness" (2016)
• "Master of Puppets" (Banjo cover ft. Leo Moracchioli) (2016)
• "Harp Metal" (2016)
• "Ragtime" (2016)
• "Sitar Metal" (2017)
• "Everything Song" (2017)
• "Psychosocial" (Banjo cover ft. Leo Moracchioli) (2017)
• "Rain (Live & Acoustic)" (2018)
• "Balalaika Metal" (2018)
• "The Heaviest Matter of the Universe" (Banjo cover ft. Leo Moracchioli) (2018)
• "Djazz" (2018)
• "I Should Spend More Time With You" (ft. Mary Spender) (2018)
• "Amy's Song" (ft. Mary Spender) (2018)
• "Theorbo Metal" (2019)
• "Don't Go" (ft. Andrew Huang and Brandon Acker) (2019)
• "Rich & Sad (Double-Sided Guitar)" (ft. Mary Spender) (2020)
• "Anchor" (ft. Jessica Burdeaux) (2021){{cite web |title=Anchor (feat. Jessica Burdeaux) - Single |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/anchor-feat-jessica-burdeaux-single/1556704785 |website=music.apple.com}}
• "MudHook" (ft. Nick Pierce) (2021){{cite web |title=MudHook (feat. Nick Pierce) - Single |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/mudhook-feat-nick-pierce-single/1558352337 |website=music.apple.com}}
• "Slappity Slappity Slap" (ft. Jessica Burdeaux) (2021)
• "Mutter (Live)" (2021)
• "Song for Some Friends" (2022)
• "Unconditional" (ft. Jessica Burdeaux and Rasheed Thomas) (2022)
• "Keys to the Lamborghini" (ft. Michael Angelo Batio) (2024)
• "Psychosis" (ft. Alex Rüdinger) (2024)
• "I Fucking Hate Traffic" (ft. Tamara Chambers, Alex Rüdinger, and Lwandile Prusent) (2024)

;Collaborations

• "Told Me" (2012) – Gunnarolla (feat. Rob Scallon)
• "Guitar Warfare" (2014) - Todd Bryanton (feat. Rob Scallon)
• "Six Inches" (2014) – Gunnarolla (feat. Ally Rhodes & Rob Scallon)
• "Tines" (2017) – Andrew Huang & Rob Scallon
• "Advice" (2018) – Cal Chuchesta (feat. Rob Scallon)
• Nostalgia Critic's The Wall (2019) – Doug Walker

;with Gas Mask Catalogue

• Blind. Deaf. Mute. (2009){{cite web |title=Blind. Deaf. Mute. |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/blind-deaf-mute/1456441761 |website=music.apple.com}}
• Promise Land (2010){{cite web |title=Promise Land - Single |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/promise-land-single/1456478308 |website=music.apple.com}}

;with Hank Green and the Perfect Strangers

• Incongruent (2014)

;with First of October

• Ten Hours (2018)
• Gourmet Ravioli (2019)
• Gotta Record Everything Good (2021)
• CHAOS (2022)
• Across The Road (2023)
• Round 6 (2024)

;with Sonic Boom

• "Slide With You" (2023)
• "Que Pasa" (2023)
• "Protect Your Neck" (2023)
• "we had to shed our skins when we saw the other sun" (2023)
• "i'm here whenever you need me" (2023)
• "Silence" (2023)
• "If I Die Tonight" (2023)
• "Pizza Blades" (2024)
• "Gone" (2024)
• "Dead To Me/Love Klutz" (2024)
• "Reality" (2024)
• "Cute Murderous Kittens" (2024)
• "Clouds in the Ocean" (2024)
• "Flippin' Out!" (2024)

{{div col end}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|4710858}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scallon, Rob}}

Category:Living people

Category:American heavy metal musicians

Category:American music YouTubers

Category:1990 births

Category:Musicians from Chicago

Category:21st-century American musicians

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:YouTube channels launched in 2007

Category:People from Arlington Heights, Illinois

Category:YouTubers from Illinois

Category:People with bipolar disorder

Category:First of October (band) members