James Marsters News + Live Journal

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! Enjoy this week's Q&A from May 2010:

May 2010

If you could choose one of the following aspects of Spike which would it be?
a) His attitude towards life
b) His way of loving someone
c) His look (clothes, hair, etc)
His way of loving.

We know that you name your guitars, such as “Malcom” and “Crystal.” How do you come up with the names for your guitars?
(Laughs.) I have no idea. The name just pops in my head. I named my tour guitar “Chow” because it was made in Korea.

You’re playing a game. How important is winning to you?
It depends on who I’m playing with. If I’m playing with children then it’s most important that they have fun. If I’m playing with my girlfriend then it’s most important that she has fun. In all other circumstances I want to win, win, win!

What food reminds you of childhood?
Mmmmmmm. Charleston Chew Candy Bars and giant Pixie Stix.

Would you be likely to survive alone in the wilderness?
Under what conditions? I would put my chances at slightly better than average – which would make me bear meat.

Everyone always asks about crying on cue, how about laughing? What makes you laugh?
Oh. (laughs) Anything! Yeah, if you’re in a good mood and not bitter, then it’s very easy to laugh on camera. But in fact, it’s harder to laugh on camera than it is to cry.

Either/Or:
Spring or Fall? Spring
Who do you most relate to, pre-vampire William or Simon from “Chance”? Simon

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! Enjoy this week's Q&A from April 2010:

April 2010

When Spike burned at the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, why did he laugh?
(Pauses.) Because that’s MY reaction to great pain. Whenever I hit my head, or cut myself, I’m like “OH, GOD, OH THAT HURTS, OH WOW… (laughs loudly) You laugh so you don’t cry.

Are you good with tools? Can you fix things in the house or car, or do you just call someone to do it?
I ran a theatre company – I can fix anything, but it only lasts for 4 weeks.

Everyone experiences those “what if” moments. Is there any particular role that you have auditioned for and not gotten that you still wonder “what if?” to this day?
No. I’ve learned to forget about roles I didn’t get. Anything else would drive me insane.

What memories do you have of the actual moon landing?
I remember being allowed to stay up late to watch it, which never happened in my house. I am also ashamed enough to say that I was young enough to be bored. It was only after I got to the school yard that I realized how momentous the event was.

Would you prefer money for a housekeeper, cook, gardener, or personal secretary?
Housekeeper – I like to cook. What the heck does a personal secretary do anyway?

What’s the best guitar you’ve ever played?
A beat-up Taylor in 1983 in New York. A guy was busking on the street and let me play his guitar. I made five dollars for him in five minutes. He was happy.

Favorites:
Relaxation Ritual – Hot bath and a good rant on MSNBC by Keith Olbermann.
Fast Food – I have a great love for both In and Out and Carl Jr. because they serve a no-carb hamburger.

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! (Skipped last week's due to my retweeting all of your fave James pics to help celebrate James' birthday; check them out here & here) Enjoy this week's Q&A from March 2010:

March 2010

What song did you start to play in the deleted scene for P.S. I Love You? Everyone loves that scene.
Oh, that was Too Fast, that I wrote. I had to use something that I wrote so they didn’t have to deal with any copyrights.

Should the individual or society be of primary importance?
Uh, well society exists to give succor to the individual. There’s no reason for society if it doesn’t serve the individual, so the individual does come first. I’m an American, though, so I’m gonna say that. If I was Chinese, I might tell you the opposite.

Are you a good swimmer?
I’m a very good swimmer. I was trained at the YMCA in Modesto to the level of “Shark”, which is just below lifeguard.

What do you think of Joss Whedon’s comment that “Buffy was in love with Spike the moment their hands clasped” in the finale?
Yeah, I believe that. Only then was he a true hero, only then did he truly sacrifice himself for other people and only then did he truly deserve her.

Food you hated as a child, but came to like as an adult?
Nothing. I still hate lima beans, I still hate liver, and I still hate brussel sprouts.

As an actor, you have died onstage and onscreen several times. Which were your most and least favorite deaths to perform and why?
My least favorite was on Lie to Me because I wanted more dialogue with Tim Roth and Jennifer Beals. My favorite was my first death on Smallville because I knew it was meaningless. Dying isn’t good.

Favorites:
Decade? My favorite decade? Right now!!
Amusement park ride? Rollercoaster- an old-fashioned wooden roller coaster.
James Bond? I would have said Sean Connery until Craig. But now it’s Daniel Craig. Yeah. He’s the dirtiest, he’s a real killer. You really would not want to have dinner with that guy. I love it – he’s so nasty!

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! Enjoy this week's Q&A from February 2010:

February 2010

What was your very first non-acting job and how old were you?
Dishwashing at the Nest Restaurant in Modesto, CA

Did you ever have a special childhood stuffed animal, and if so what was it called?
At one point I had 27 stuffed animals and they were all arranged in a row so I had no room in bed and I was happy as a clam. My favorite was a snake named King Edward.

Can you walk on stilts or ride a unicycle?
Yes. I am a man who took acting classes all his life. I can do the unicycle, I can do all that crap. (Laughs.)

If you were to inhabit the world of any video or computer game, which one would you live in?
I like dark apocolyptic video games, but I have no interest in living in those worlds. But if I could be Batman I’d be willing to go to Arkham Asylum,

On days when you are home and able to relax, do you prefer to go barefooted, wear only socks or wear socks and shoes?
I give equal time to all footwear!

As someone who obviously enjoys his work is there any aspect of your job that you dislike?
Waiting. My favorite word in the universe is “action” so everyone has to shut up and let me get to work.

I understand you are influenced in your song writing by the music of Nick Drake, I just wondered which song of Nick’s is you personal favorite , and how you first heard about him?
I’m not arrogant enough to claim Nick Drake as an inspiration. He’s too complex for me to copy. My favorite song is the last cut on the album Pink Moon. I heard about him from a car commercial! 

A headline about you which you gladly would read?
James Marsters set to be Barack Obama’s new press secretary, James Marsters solves the energy crisis, James Marsters does away with insurance companies.

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! Enjoy this week's Q&A from January 2010:

January 2010

What do you think about the vampire craze that seems to be taking over the entertainment world?
Go vampires! They’re sexy, they’re hot, and they’re profitable.

Which is sexier, hip bones or hollow of the throat?
Hipbones.

Would you rather meet your great-grandchildren or your great-grandparents?
Great-grandchildren in a heartbeat!

Do you regularly use your English accent to make sure its still there?
No. (He said in American)

Is the reason Spike did not smoke on the last season of Angel because you quit smoking?
I tried to minimize Spike’s smoking the whole time, knowing that kids were watching, and hating the herbal cigarettes that I had to smoke. Spike didn’t smoke on “Angel” because I had more power then.

Have you ever (at any age) performed in a magic act?
No, not that I can recall.

Either/Or
Dark or white meat? Both.
Scuba diving or sky diving? (Laughs) I’m not like that guy, the either/or guy. Uh, ok…. Scuba.

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! Enjoy this week's Q&A from December 2009:

December 2009

Do you think that Hamlet’s "To be or not to be…" has been taken out of context by most of society?
As long as people realize that he is considering suicide, they have it right.

Did you ever have a crush on any of your teachers?
Yes, an incredible crush on my second grade teacher. I don’t remember her name now, but when I went into third grade she had transferred to become a third grade teacher and I got her again.

Which is more important – intelligence or common sense?
We shouldn’t try to parse these any more. They’re finding that emotion is vitally important to intelligence. We are ignorant of our own intelligence.

You have written several songs about your experiences on current projects such as Moonshot, Torchwood and High Plains Invaders. Have you ever written a song about Spike?
I wrote on song during “Buffy” called “Dangerous” about the importance of self-discipline.

Do you still drink wheatgrass juice? Fresh or powdered and where do you get it?
Fresh from Jamba Juice – they’re friendly and they smell good!

Favorites:
Springsteen album: The Ghost of Tom Joad
Star Wars Toy: My brand new shiny Storm Trooper outfit!

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! Enjoy this week's Q&A from November 2009:

November 2009

Do you consider yourself a feminist?
I consider myself a humanist.

I hate screen cliches such as someone someone reaching for another person in bed as they wake up, but that person isn’t there, or someone running but always falling. What movie or tv cliches bug you?
Cowboy six-shooters with 24 bullets. Everyone wakes up looking gorgeous. And everyone dries off from a rainstorm in seconds.

If you could be a part of President Obama’s cabinet, what would you like to do? What do you think you would be good at?
I used to think I’d make a great press secretary until all the teabagging started and I realized I don’t have the patience. I would have lost it a long time ago. I would have said “shut up you fools, he’s trying to help you” but that wouldn’t help the boss.

Do you prefer playing live or recording in a studio?
I prefer playing live. It’s more dangerous.

In Moonshot there were some sequences that appeared to be in a weighless environment. Were they filmed on one of the trainers used to simulate a weightless environment? If so, did you enjoy being weightless?
Ha, ha, ha, fooled you! Those were all poor-boy shots on earth. Credit good mime training.

What process or thought does it take to cry on cue? I’ve heard it’s one of the hardest emotions for some actors.
Mmmm, mmmm… (silence) Crying on cue is hard. The best thing to do is to think of the saddest thing in your life and then try NOT to cry. But surprisingly, laughing with sincerity is harder – especially on take seven.

Do you ever play any low-tech sort of games, like board games or card games? If so, which ones?
Risk and, following the President’s lead, poker.

Either/Or

Neat or messy? Neat… I lie – messy, with very short periods of neat.
Presents on Christmas eve or Christmas morning? Both.
Spend six months traveling in Europe or six minutes on the moon? On the moon, baby!

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! Enjoy this week's Q&A from October 2009:

October 2009

What goals do you feel you haven’t accomplished yet in your music, either in your lyrics and melody, or in your guitar playing? What are you still striving for?
Writing a good bridge.

Do you doodle while you’re on the phone and what is your doodle of choice?
Yes, arrows piercing flesh.

There has been a recent resurgence of questions regarding Shakespeare’s identity by groups which include notable actors like Derek Jacobi. What is your opinion of the controversy regarding Shakespeare’s authorship?
Every author has a different flavor and style, they taste different – each of them. To me all of the Shakespeare that I’ve done, including staged reading, auditions and plays, all of it tastes the same.

Do you like your driver’s license photo?
Yes! I actually do! And so much so that I really don’t want to get a new license because I know I’m gonna be older now. I’m two months away from getting a new passport photo and the new one is gonna be like (scrunches up face). Laughs.

What was one of your "least favorite reads" (i.e. assigned or forced on you by a teacher – a topic you didn’t like, or a theme that didn’t fit with your life at the time) that turned out to provide insight, motivation or opportunity for you later in life?
My teachers were cool and gave me good stuff to read; but I did get stuck with Alan Greenspan’s latest book on CD during a 5 hour road trip where he bragged about his finesse of the economy. Obviously written before the economy tanked! Too sad to be funny.

Favorites:

City in the world and why: San Francisco, which is a frontier Paris, but doesn’t pride itself yet and has found the wisdom to be tolerant – which is why United Federation of Planets chose it to be its capital.

Sandwich: Just a good hoagie on a warm day.

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! Enjoy this week's Q&A from September 2009:

September 2009

How do you entertain yourself on an airplane?
Books, Vanity Fair, science magazines, sleep and giving myself foot rubs.

Who were the first and last bands you saw in concert?
First band was the Clash in 1979 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco and the last one was Arcade Fire at Hollywood Bowl in LA.

As a parent and an artist what do you think of the schools cutting back on art programs?
It is one of many important things being cut right now like security, class size, and new books…and it’s been proven that music programs increase math test results. But so many essential things are being cut right now.

Which do you find easier to portray, characters that are close to your real life personality or those that are wildly different?
I always use my personality traits, the things that are true about me in all roles whether or not I think I am close to them.

Finish the sentence: New Year’s resolutions make me…
Barf.

Yes or No:

Did you have braces when you were a kid? No.
Do you still paint? No, I wish I did.
Do you need reading glasses when you read books? (laughs) Yes, but I always lie about that – don’t tell anyone.

Back in the day, James Marsters' old official websites used to post a monthly Q&A session with James, & I'm reposting those Q&As every week for a bit of fun (& nostalgia)! Enjoy this week's Q&A from August 2009:

August 2009

Is there a movie that makes you cry everytime you see it?
“W” by Oliver Stone. (laughs)

Have you had a role that really changed your life and the way you see things?
Hmmm, (pause). Yes, I have many times. I was very lucky in early adulthood to do many classic plays and I feel half-raised by the great authors. Plays like “Dollhouse” by Ibsen, ‘Measure for Measure”, “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Macbeth” by Shakespeare, “The Red Coat” by David Mamet – these were the teachers at my finishing school.

What did Spike’s vampire face feel like?
Like nothing at all! The foam was very light and moved with your face with no effort. The teeth sucked – they forced you to mumble and slur when you were trying to be inhumanly cool.

Have you considered the possibility of one day starting up another theater company? If you did, is there anything that you know that you would do right off to make it work best?
If I met the right five people who are in on the thing, I could be talked into it, but it is second only to child rearing in its difficulty. The one thing I’d do first is to get a business manager. Doing good plays that are well-received is not guaranteed without that.

Could you say a few words about Andy Hallett? It broke my heart when he died and I’d love to hear someone who knew him say a few words about him.
Andy was a real man – you can tell an adult by how they deal with pain or adversity. Andy’s eyeballs gave him searing pain all day every day because of the contacts they used. He was every moment a gentlemen; laughing and joking, wiping the tears from his eyes.

Obsession – unhealthy or motivating and why?
Unhealthy. You gotta be careful not to want something that you can’t figure out how to get.

I’ve noticed that many fans sing along with you at concerts. What goes through your mind when you look out at an audience and find them singing the songs that you wrote along with you?
I hope we all keep the same time (laughs).

Favorites:
Batman: There’s no other Batman, but the current Batman, Christian Bale. George Clooney? Come on, man. There’s nobody else with the balls of Christian Bale.
Outdoor activities: Hiking, biking and frisbee.
CD you always reach for to play when you’re driving: Nick Drake.