The 8G Band Explained

The 8G Band is the house band for Late Night with Seth Meyers, led by Saturday Night Live alumnus Fred Armisen.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Inception

Armisen assembled the 8G Band, named for the studio where the show is taped, just two weeks before the test show. He texted friends Seth Jabour, Syd Butler, and Eli Janney ("What are you guys doing this week?"), then found first drummer Kimberly Thompson through an audition. Jabour and Butler are members of the Brooklyn rock and roll band Les Savy Fav, and Butler also owns Frenchkiss Records. Guitarist Marnie Stern was a member of the band from 2014-2022.

2024 layoffs

Due to budget cuts, the band was laid off at the end of the 2023-2024 season. The show will continue to use and occasionally update pre-recorded music by the band for use on the show as musical intros and extros but Late Night will no longer have live music as a regular component.^[4]

Members

• Fred Armisen (bandleader, rhythm guitar, drums)
• Seth Jabour (lead guitar)
• Syd Butler (bass)
• Eli Janney (keys)

Past members

• Kimberly Thompson (drums)
• Kristina Schiano (drums)
• Marnie Stern (lead/rhythm guitar)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Meet the "Late Night with Seth Meyers" 8G Band!. NBC. 13 March 2014.
2. Web site: O'Connell. Michael. Seth Meyers Taps Fred Armisen To Lead 'Late Night' Band With Members of Les Savy Fav, Girls Against Boys. Billboard. 13 March 2014.
3. Web site: Mora. Celest. Who Is In the 8G Band on Seth Meyer's 'Late Night'? Get to Know This Awesome Fivesome. Bustle. 13 March 2014.
4. News: Andreeva . Nellie . ‘Late Night With Seth Meyers’ To Drop House Band In Budget Cut . June 12, 2024 . Deadline . June 11, 2024.