'SpongeBob' Voice Actor Tom Kenny Says Animated Series Helped Him Launch a Rock Band

Tom Kenny reflected on being part of a rock band after becoming the voice behind Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants" titular character.

Since 1981, Kenny has been establishing his empire in the TV industry. Among his works, his contribution to several animated series helped him rise to fame, especially "SpongeBob SquarePants."

Among the characters he also voiced include Ice King in "Adventure Time," Heffer Wolf in "Rocko's Modern Life," the narrator in "The Powerpuff Girls," and Hank and Jeremy in "Talking Tom and Friends."

Despite having a long list of work, Kenny credited his SpongeBob career as the role that led him to launch his 12-piece "rock-n-soul" band: Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas.

In a new interview with People, the lead vocalist said that people often refer to him as "the SpongeBob guy." Kenny said he loves it when it happens.

"[People] come up and they'll go, 'I've got to ask you. Love your band by the way. But my friend just looked up and said, I think that's the SpongeBob guy,'" he said. "Because they didn't come to see the band, they just happened in there and then they do the math and their brains explode."

The crooner also explained how weird it is to grow up on the hit animated series and then move on with a rock band.

Although Kenny is best known as an actor and comedian, he previously played in several bands on and off. However, he chose to work as a comedian before landing roles on Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon's shows.

How Did Tom Kenny Created His Band?

"SpongeBob SquarePants" famously released the 2006 album "Best Day Ever." It featured Andy Paley and Brian Wilson alongside world-class musicians.

Kenny said that meeting the musicians made him and the gang create the Hi-Seas. But instead of calling himself a bandleader, he refers to him as the band's vocalist and "guiding spirit.

While he does not know when exactly the band was conceptualized, he noted that he once thought that a 12-piece band was "not the greatest business model ever." But after forming it, he discovered something in the band and continuously established its own sound.

"I want people to be really clear on what they're going to see when they come out to see Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas," he continued. "It's not a kids' show. We probably won't be doing SpongeBob songs. Once in a while, we're feeling it, we'll pull one out, and people go crazy. But really that's not what this band is for."