For some Buffy and Angel stars, the performing doesn't end when the cameras stop rolling.

Imagine the next time Giles pops into the Espresso Pump for a solo acoustic set, Spike shows up with his own axe for a mean, mellow duet on the Sex Pistols' "God Save the Queen." Or when Lindsey McDonald is stressing over the pressures of life at Wolfram & Hart, he hits the stage to blow off steam with some dirty country rock. 

It's unlikely that any of the above would happen in Buffyverse, but in our world, it's a different story.  James Marsters, Christian Kane and Anthony Stewart Head each pursue musical interests outside of their work on Buffy and Angel.  In music, they find a completely different form of artistic expression.

"I feel much more vulnerable when I'm singing in front of a group than [when I'm] acting," Marsters says.  "Acting, I can do anything.  I'm not embarrassed. I can drop my pants for a nickel.  But singing gives me hives. I fear it, which is why I do it."

Marsters has played semi-regular gigs at such clubs as 14 Below in Santa Monica and the Gig for the past year, even appearing in full vamp makeup for a special Halloween show.  His sets feature a mix of originals and covers, ranging from Tom Waits to Bob Dylan songs to such Springsteen obscurities as "Wild Billy's Circus Story."

"I want fire," Marsters says of the tunes he chooses to cover. "I guess I tend to sing songs about people who are gonna go to jail, who've just killed someone, who just had their heart broken, who just got screwed over by the Establishment, who just lost their house.  I was singing songs for Joss [Whedon], and he's like, 'Do you have any happy songs for us today, James?'  I guess I'm self-pitying enough that the sad stuff hits me the most."

Though he's a one-man acoustical jam onstage, his influences lean heavily toward classic punk.  "Early Ramones, early Pistols, early Clash-before anybody had any investment in the name 'punk rock,'" Marsters explains.  "I went through a very quick period of James Taylor, but grew out of that quickly.  Nothing against James but you're not gonna score with the girls singing 'Fire and Rain.'"

Christian Kane's favorite performers range from Prince to Elton John and Alice in Chains, but when he's performing with his band, Kane, it's all about walking in the country rock bootsteps of bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Eagles.  Kane-the band-was born two years ago through some unlikely connections within his management agency.

"I used to deliver stuff for my manager, and when I got my start on Fame L.A., they had to hire somebody else to deliver the packages," Kane recalls.  "The kid coming up behind me was a guitarist, and we hit it off.  We started hanging out, and a lot of good songs came out."

Kane features a semi-rotating membership, but currently comprises Steve Carlson, Craig Eastman (who also works with composer Hans Zimmer) and Mike Eaton. In their early days, they made history as the first and only band ever to play live at Hollywood's famous Formosa Café-the club packed in Kane fans every Thursday until the band grew too big for the space.  Since Kane-the actor-landed his role on Angel, the band has had to work around his schedule, but typically manages at least two live gigs a month at such clubs as the Viper Room, the Mint and the Gig.  Seeing the band live is the best way to experience it.

"To a girl, I would say, 'Bring your cut-off Harley Davidson shirt and a smile,'" Kane suggests.  "To a guy, I would say, 'Definitely don't bring your girlfriend, and grab a beer.' We get it on. It's unbelievable. We've got a great group of fans."

Those interested in following the latest bands news should definitely check out KaneMusic.Com, which features info on live performances and sound clips of the band's thirteen-song CD, which is currently being shopped around to labels.  The disc has already earned the group some fans among the Angel cast and crew.

David Greenwalt's heard the music, and he loves it," Kane says. "Tim Minear has heard it, and I gave Boreanaz a CD for Christmas. He digs it.  David [Greenwalt] invited me over for Thanksgiving and he said, 'Kane, you're in charge of writing the Thanksgiving prayer,' so I wrote a song called 'What Do We Got.' I played it that dinner and David was very appreciative. It went over well."

When he contemplates a choice between acting or music as the future of his performing career, Kane can't choose-for him, the two are inseparable.  "I'd rather do anything that lets me have fun," Kane explains. "It used to be bad-you could only do one or the other. Nowadays, the rules have been let go. It used to be that you couldn't do TV and movies. It used to be that you couldn't do music, and [now] look at Will Smith. As long as you make the right choices, there are no rules."

Anthony Stewart Head's musical roots reach back the furthest-not only is his brother Murray responsible for the disco hit "One Night in Bangkok," but Head played in a band of his own, eventually releasing a single in Britain. He frequently attends jam sessions at Joss Whedon's house featuring Marsters and other cast and crew, and he's currently working with George Sarah on an electronic music album that's tentatively slated for release this spring.  With a bit more experience than Kane and Marsters, Head tries to keep perspective on a career in acting versus music. 

I never wanted to make it a choice; I wanted to be able to do both," Head recalls.  "There are people who've managed to skate between the two, but ultimately, you just have to commit.  I think I chose the career with more longevity. People do last in rock 'n' roll, but they also come and go."

Marsters simply looks to his predecessors in the singing actor genre when contemplating his music future.  "Whose footsteps and I gonna follow?" he asks.  "William Shatner?  There's so much egg-on-the-face possible.  When I go into a club, I don't fool myself.  The reason I'm there is because I'm on a really good TV show.  There's probably some other guy who didn't get that slot because of me. I'm aware that people will book me into clubs even if I'm no good, so I just try really hard not to suck."

When it comes to music, Kane is full of ambition, Head takes a more rational approach, and Marsters tries hard not to suck.  Come to think of it, they have more in common with their on-air counterparts than they realize.

The above interview was taken from '"The Buffy Magazine No. 11." No copyright infringement is intended. Many thanks to JC for transcribing this for my (Matt's) site. :)