User:CorrectionsJackal/draft
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 8G Band is the house band for Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC. Named after the show's studio, Studio 8G,[2] the band is led by Saturday Night Live (SNL) alumni Fred Armisen[3][4] and its initial lineup includes bassist Syd Butler, guitarist Seth Jabour, keyboardist Eli Janney and drummer Kimberly Thompson.[5][6][7] Armisen also wrote the show's punk-inspired theme song.[8][9]
The 8G Band | |
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| Years active | 2014–present[1] |
| Members |
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| Past members | |
to do: update with layoff
Background
On May 12, 2013, it was announced that Saturday Night Live (SNL) head writer and Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers would be leaving the show to take over the long-running talk show franchise Late Night, replacing Jimmy Fallon.[21][22] Meyers initially stated in late 2013 that Late Night would not have a house band, explaining, "One of the things we need to do, I think, is define ourselves as different than [Fallon]. So music is going to be a slightly smaller element of the show. Questlove of [Late Night with Jimmy Fallon house band] the Roots is helping us figure out how to do music without a band. We’re thinking some version of a DJ."[23] He later reversed the decision,[24] announcing on Twitter the following year that the band will be called the 8G Band and fronted by fellow SNL alumni Fred Armisen.[25][26] The idea for Armisen to lead the band was suggested by producer Lorne Michaels around a month before the premiere.[27]
Armisen was previously the drummer for Trenchmouth in the 1990s[28] and as a touring drummer for Blue Man Group after Trenchmouth disbanded.[29] Armisen enlisted Les Savy Fav guitarist Seth Jabour and bassist Syd Butler for the house band, with whom he had previously collaborated on Les Savy Fav's fourth studio album, Let's Stay Friends, in 2007.[30]