Summary

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer's real-life bands bring the music of the 1990s to life in Sunnydale's Bronze club.
• Bands like Sprung Monkey, Velvet Chain, and Cibo Matto added an extra layer of authenticity to the show's universe.
• From memorable moments with Michelle Branch to quirky tunes by Nerf Herder, music played a vital role in Buffy's storytelling.

The numerous real-life bands on Buffy the Vampire Slayer serve as a perfect time capsule for the 1990s. The series, which ran from 1997-2003, took place in the fictional town of Sunnydale, which had a club known as the Bronze. Despite the monsters roaming the town, the club attracted some great bands. While Buffy the Vampire Slayer is remembered for wonderful things, music is a vital aspect of the show that tends to get overlooked. The series even has two soundtrack albums.

Buffy features music by bands as varied as Rasputina, Azure Ray, The Sundays, and Alison Krauss. As for the Bronze, the local club would occasionally host musicians too famous to stop off in Sunnydale, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t delightful to see them become a part of the Buffyverse. There were fictional bands on the show (Oz's Dingoes Ate My Baby and Veruca's Shy). However, it was always fun when a real-life band showed up to play in Sunnydale, often promoting their most recent album.

Sprung Monkey

Season 1, Episode 1 - "Welcome To The Hellmouth"

Sprung Monkey has the honor of being the first band on Buffy the Vampire Slayer to play the Bronze. Sprung Monkey appeared in the pilot, “Welcome to the Hellmouth,” performing the song "Believe," but several other songs can also be heard as events unfold. Sprung Monkey's music was also featured in two other episodes in season 1. The band, originating from San Diego, was active from 1991 through 2002 and reunited in 2005. They have released five albums, the last in 2013.

Superfine

Season 1, Episode 4, “Teacher’s Pet”

Superfine played the Bronze in season 1, episode 4, “Teacher’s Pet.” Their song “Stoner Love” can be heard, but “I Already Met You” is more prominently featured while the Scoobies hang out in the Bronze. The track also appears on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album, which has 19 songs from throughout the series. Frontman Rob Grad was the bassist for 90s rock band Kik Tracee before joining Superfine, which he left in 2003. They only released one self-titled EP as a band.

Velvet Chain

Season 1, Episode 5, “Never Kill A Boy On The First Date”

Season 1, episode 5, “Never Kill a Boy on the First Date,” was one of many episodes in which Buffy struggled to maintain some semblance of a social life without her calling getting in the way. Of course, dating Owen was disastrous, but while the two were at the Bronze, L.A.-based trip-hop band Velvet Chain played “Treason” and “Strong.”

"Strong" was also included on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album. Velvet Chain were such big fans of the show that in 1999 they released The Buffy EP, which included their take on a theme song called "Buffy (She's the Slayer).” Seth Green (Oz on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) played guitar on the track.

Cibo Matto

Season 2, Episode 1 - "When She Was Bad"

Cibo Matto is responsible for one of the most memorable Bronze moments. In the season 2 premiere, “When She Was Bad,” Buffy took her “issues” out on Willow, Xander, and Angel. Her flirty dance with Xander wounded them all in one fell swoop. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Nicholas Brendan are both great, but it's “Sugar Water” by Cibo Matto that makes the scene work so well.

Another track from the band, “Spoon,” can also be heard before Buffy’s now-infamous dance. The band, whose name means "crazy food" in Italian, was formed in New York City in 1994 by Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori. They were later joined by other members, including Sean Lennon. Cibo Matto went on hiatus in 2002 but reunited in 2011.

Nickel

Season 2, Episode 3, “School Hard”

Another important Bronze moment is Spike seeing Buffy for the first time. This happens in season 2, episode 3, “School Hard.” Nickel played the club, performing their songs “1000 Nights” and “Stupid Thing,” from the album of the same name. It’s during "Stupid Thing" that Spike catches his first glimpse of the Slayer. Unfortunately, despite their undeniable contribution to this monumental Buffy moment, Nickel didn't do much after their appearance on the series.

Lotion

Season 2, Episode 15, “Phases”

Appearing in season 2, episode 15, “Phases,” Lotion played the Bronze just before Oz wreaked havoc as a werewolf. They performed “Blind For Now” at the club and their music can be heard in season 3 as well. This Manhattan-based indie band was formed in 1991 and has opened up for amazing musicians such as Pavement, Frank Black and the Catholics, and Mercury Rev. They broke up in 2001 but in 2023, the band reunited for a concert.

Splendid

Season 2, Episode 19 - “I Only Have Eyes For You”

Splendid has played the Bronze twice. They performed “Charge” in season 2, episode 19, “I Only Have Eyes for You,” as Buffy “came, saw and rejected” a potential suitor. Splendid returned in the season 4 premiere, “The Freshman,” playing “You & Me,” as Xander gave Buffy a much-needed pep talk. The band can also be heard in season 5.

Splendid was a musical duo comprised of former husband and wife team, Angie Hart, of Australian band Frente!, and Jesse Tobias, who would go on to work on the musical arrangements with Christophe Beck for “Once More with Feeling.”

Bellylove

Season 3, Episode 1 - "Anne"

Bellylove played the Bronze in Buffy's season 3 premiere, “Anne.” The band performed their song “Back to Freedom” while the Scoobies wondered where Buffy had gone. Bellylove formed in L.A. in 1998 and enjoyed their breakout thanks to their appearance on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They remain active to this day, though their sound has evolved over the years, as drummers have come and gone. Founders Lisa Rae Black and Toni Valenta have been constants despite lineup changes.

Darling Violetta

Season 3, Episode 3, “Faith, Hope & Trick”

Darling Violetta performed in season 3, episode 3, “Faith, Hope & Trick.” They played their song “Blue Sun” as Faith danced with the vampire briefly known only as “Disco Dave,” and a track called “Cure,” while the Scooby Gang got to know Faith a little better. Based in Hollywood, Darling Violetta was active from 1997-2009. Darling Violetta also had a big role in a Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff series, as they wrote and performed the theme song for Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s spin-off, Angel.

K's Choice

Season 3, Episode 16, “Doppelgängland”

Another unforgettable Bronze moment came in season 3, episode 16, “Doppelgängland.” K’s Choice played their song “Virgin State of Mind,” which fit the scene perfectly, as Vampire Willow entered the club in the main timeline. The song was also included on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album. K’s Choice is a Belgian band formed in 1994. They have had several musicians come and go over the years, with the core members being siblings Sam and Gert Bettens. K’s Choice was active until 2003, though they did reunite in 2009.

Dēvics

Season 5, Episode 14 - "Crush"

The long-awaited reunion between Spike and Drusilla occurs during the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel crossover, “Crush” - season 5, episode 14. Dēvics played their song “Key” as Dru killed a couple so she and Spike (who had a chip in his head) could drink them together. Another L.A. band, Dēvics formed in 1993 but has been inactive since 2006, as Sara Lov and Dustin O’Halloran have pursued solo careers. "Key" appears on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale.

Michelle Branch

Season 6, Episode 8, “Tabula Rasa”

Michelle Branch appeared at the Bronze in Season 6, episode 8, “Tabula Rasa,” playing her heartbreaking ballad, “Goodbye to You.” The song soundtracked several major events in Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Tara left Willow, Giles left town, and Buffy kissed Spike for the second time.

Branch’s song expertly conveyed the complex emotions in the episode’s final scenes.

Branch’s song expertly conveyed the complex emotions in the episode’s final scenes without the characters uttering a word. The singer-songwriter has been active since 1999 and formed The Wreckers with fellow musician Jessica Harp in 2005. They have since disbanded, but Branch has continued to release music as recently as 2017.

Virgil/Halo Friendlies

Season 6, Episode 9, “Smashed”

Virgil and Halo Friendlies played the Bronze in Season 6, episode 9, “Smashed.” The former was performing at the club when Willow and Amy arrived. Virgil played their songs “Parachute” and “Vermilion Borders.” However, once the two witches started altering the Bronze and its inhabitants to their liking, they decided the band could use a change. The group that appeared in place of Virgil was Halo Friendlies, who performed the track “Run Away."

Virgil was formed by Andrew Paul Woodworth in 2000, while Halo Friendlies were an all-girl pop punk band from 1998-2004.

The Breeders

Season 7, Episode 6, “Him”

One of the best bands to survive the ‘90s and continue releasing great music, the Breeders appeared on Buffy the Vampire Slayer because sisters Kim and Kelley Deal are huge fans of the show (via The Guardian). The band played the Bronze as Dawn danced with R.J. in Season 7, episode 6, “Him,” performing two songs off their excellent album, Title TK, “Little Fury” and “Son of Three (Viva).”

The Breeders had previously released a cover of Nerf Herder’s Buffy theme song.

The Breeders had previously released a cover of Nerf Herder’s Buffy theme song and had also been playing the track on tour for months when Kim Deal herself called to negotiate the Breeders’ appearance at the Bronze. They would go on to record the theme song themselves for Radio Sunnydale.

Aimee Mann

Season 7, Episode 8, “Sleeper”

Legendary singer-songwriter Aimee Mann played the Bronze in Season 7, episode 8, “Sleeper.” Mann performed “This Is How It Goes” and “Pavlov’s Bell” from her 2002 album, Lost in Space. The latter also appears on Radio Sunnydale. As the band played, Spike killed one of the vampires he'd unknowingly sired while under the control of the First. The vamp’s dusting caused them to stop playing, but only momentarily.

On her way off the stage, Mann can be heard saying, “Man, I hate playing vampire towns.” She is the only real-life musician to have any lines on the show. After getting her start in the ‘80s band Til Tuesday, Mann launched a very successful solo career. She has appeared in films and TV shows such as The Big Lebowski and Portlandia, and recorded songs that largely defined Paul Thomas Anderson’s stellar film, Magnolia.

Aberdeen

Season 7, Episode 13, “The Killer in Me”

Fans may not have loved Willow and Kennedy as a couple, but the band Aberdeen soundtracked their first unofficial date at the Bronze in Season 7, episode 13, “The Killer in Me.” The band played the songs “Sink or Float” and “Cities and Buses.” This American pop group formed in 1992 and “Sink or Float” was featured on the UK version of Radio Sunnydale. Their appearance as one of the bands on Buffy was their biggest exposure and they broke up in 2005 after releasing three albums.

Nerf Herder

Season 7, Episode 19, “Empty Places”

Appropriately, the last band to be seen at the Bronze is the same one who composed Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s theme song. Nerf Herder played in Season 7, episode 19, “Empty Places” and Dawn joked they might be one of the signs of the apocalypse. They performed "Mr. Spock” and ”Rock City News” as Faith took the potential slayers out to blow off some steam.

The inventors of “nerdcore,” the band formed in Santa Barbara, and were together from 1994 through 2003. They reunited in 2005, and their last album was released in 2016. "Van Halen" was the only song that charted, but the theme for Buffy the Vampire Slayer secures their place in history.