EDITOR'S NOTE: Organizers on Friday announced that Saturday's scheduled show at the Alliant Energy Center has been canceled.

When Dr. House played a few tunes on the piano during the season premiere of "House," he may have been trying to help fellow patients.

Or he may have been rehearsing for an upcoming gig.

Hugh Laurie, who plays Dr. Gregory House on the hit Fox drama, plays keyboards with a group that calls itself Band From TV. And that simple name says it all: The band is populated by those whose faces are better known for playing fictional characters, not musical instruments.

In addition to Laurie, the other moonlighting musicians are:

• Jesse Spencer, aka Dr. Robert Chase from "House," playing the violin

• James Denton, aka Mike Delfino from "Desperate Housewives," on guitar

• Teri Hatcher, Denton's TV wife, Susan Mayer, singing with the band

• Bob Guiney of "The Bachelor" fame, also lending his pipes

• Adrian Pasdar, aka Nathan Petrelli on "Heroes," also on guitar

• Greg Grunberg, aka Matt Parkman on "Heroes," keeping the beat on drums

Grunberg, who founded the band after a fortuitous guest role on "House" led to an impromptu jam session with Laurie, explains the concept like this: "We're familiar faces playing familiar songs."

But it's more than a bunch of actors playing out rock 'n' roll fantasies. They're doing this for charity. In addition to putting a dent in the pocketbooks of individuals and families, the downturn in the economy has hit charities hard.

"There's such a need to raise money," Grunberg said, adding that the group has upped the number of concerts it performs to help out. "Charities are really hurting right now."

In addition, Grunberg's own family situation motivates him to take the stage: "This one is personal," he said.

The band's Saturday, Nov. 21, show at the Dane County Coliseum will raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, along with the other charities chosen by band members. Grunberg's oldest son Jake, 10, has epilepsy, and in addition to spreading awareness of the neurological disorder through Band From TV gigs, Grunberg has created TalkAboutIt.org, a website that aims to educate people about epilepsy and seizure disorders. These performances do much to further a cause close to him.

"We're having a blast, but we're doing this for a good cause, and that's what's important," he said.

Each celeb in the band has a charity -- Denton plays for The Conservation Fund, Laurie plays for Save the Children -- and the group is serious about having fun for a cause. To increase the opportunities to raise money for charity, Band From TV released its first album, "Hoggin' All the Covers," in October 2008, available at Amazon.com. The lineup includes the band's take on Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen and the Kinks, to name a few.

And while the band is not interested in taking away the top Billboard spot from anyone, there is a lot of respect for real musical talent here.

"They're actors, but they all have that inner desire to be a musician," Grunberg said.

(The band might get some musical cred from an outside source: Pasdar is married to Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks.)

Grunberg, a self-taught drummer who admits to having a few gigs as part of a garage band in high school, raves about the professional musicians who round out the sound for Band From TV.

"They're great, just amazing musicians," he said. "But they know people are there to see us."

That "us" changes a bit from gig to gig; Grunberg, Hatcher, Laurie, Pasdar, Denton, Guiney and Spencer make up the core of the group. And every so often, special guests join the party: Past shows have welcomed Jorge Garcia (Hurley from "Lost"), Zachary Levi (Chuck from, well, "Chuck"), Hayden Panettiere (Claire from "Heroes"), musician John Mayer and many more.

For Saturday's show, confirmed musicians include Grunberg, Pasdar, Denton, Guiney, Spencer and Scott Grimes (Dr. Archie Morris of "ER"). Grunberg was mum on the rest, only to say there will be a few surprise guests. (Hatcher? Laurie? It's likely.)

The faces are familiar, and so are the songs: The setlist is all covers, from old-school standards like "Minnie the Moocher" and "Viva Las Vegas" to contemporary hits from Carrie Underwood and Pink. Band members' interests are all across the board, from country to pop to blues to good old rock 'n' roll.

"We have something for everyone," Grunberg said. "We want to give people a good time."

Watch clips of past shows on the band's website, bandfromtv.org, and it's evident: Here is a group of performers who really enjoy playing musicians.

But these are actors, and actors have egos. Considering that "House" and "Heroes" air in the same time slot, is there any friendly competition within the band between the representatives from "House," Laurie and Spencer; and those from "Heroes," Grunberg and Pasdar?

"Oh yeah, for sure," Grunberg said. "You can't compete with ‘House' in the ratings; it's a juggernaut. We (‘Heroes') have our own fans.

"But I like to joke with Hugh, ‘One slip in the ratings and you're out of the band. It's called Band From TV, not Band From Canceled Shows!' "

Add or View Comment

Login to post your comment. If you don't have an account, you may register for one.