Black abstract symbol inside a bright pink circle.

as seen on

THE KNOT

Louisiana Veteran Owned Business seal. Features the state outline in red/white stripes, blue border.
Wedding Wire logo: White text and floral design on a teal circle.

as seen on

WEDDINGWIRE

Black abstract symbol inside a bright pink circle.
Louisiana Veteran Owned Business seal featuring the state outline with an American flag design.
Wedding Wire logo: White text and floral design on a teal circle.

ABOUT THE BAND

No frills, just great Rock N' Roll, country, and blues from the 50s to the 90s and beyond!


Hard Eight is a New Orleans based band performing originals and covers of the absolute best music ever written! We are available for booking at all venues and events, indoor and outdoor, especially weddings, and including bars/restaurants, fairs/festivals, and private events.


Our band members love to perform live music! We all have a diverse musical background and experience, playing music from different genres for all crowd sizes, from small intimate settings to large energetic venues.


ABOUT THE BAND

No frills, just great Rock N' Roll, country, and blues from the 50s to the 90s and beyond!


Hard Eight is a New Orleans based band performing originals and covers of the absolute best music ever written! We are available for booking at all venues and events, indoor and outdoor, especially weddings, and including bars/restaurants, fairs/festivals, and private events.


Our band members love to perform live music! We all have a diverse musical background and experience, playing music from different genres for all crowd sizes, from small intimate settings to large energetic venues.

BAND MEMBERS

Man playing bass guitar outdoors, wearing a blue t-shirt and green pants.

MIKE ANDERSON

Mike Anderson lays down clean, no‑nonsense bass lines with precision, powering half of Hard 8’s rhythm engine. An Air Force veteran, he brings discipline, drive, and rock‑solid groove to every show.
Man singing into a microphone on stage, wearing a New Orleans Saints shirt.

Ben Banchs

Ben Banchs fires up every show with a powerful voice, nonstop energy, and hip‑shaking swagger. An Air Force veteran, he feeds off the crowd and turns every Hard 8 set into a party.
Drummer playing a red drum set outdoors, smiling, with drumsticks raised.

PJ Brown

PJ Brown is the newest member of Hard 8 and has been a fixture in the New Orleans band scene for over four decades. He is smooth, precise, and versatile, covering a wide variety of genres from 50's Rockabilly to 90's Aleternative. 
Man playing harmonica and guitar on stage, wearing a Saints jersey, outdoors.

Paul Malphurs

Paul Malphurs, a Georgia‑born Navy and Air Force veteran, brings rich rock and country roots to Hard 8. On harmonica and rhythm guitar, he channels his hero Gregg Allman, with soulful style.
Man playing electric guitar on a stage, wearing a black shirt and hat.


FORMER MEMBERS

Never forget where you came from! We wouldn't be here without these cats:


Heath Horridge (Drums)

Joey Marceaux (Drums)



OTHER COLLABORATING MUCISIANS

Thanks to these fine musicians that stepped up to fill in when we needed them:


Rusty Cavalier (Drums)

Tim Chauvin (Sound)

Brent Graham (Drums)

Mike Hanberry (Drums)

Joel Klein (Bass)

Randy Lanier (Drums)



what people are saying!

  • Band performing on outdoor stage, people dancing in front. Nighttime setting with lights.

    "...and tonight, get ready for some rock n' roll, get ready for some blues, get ready to Roll Over Beethoven, get ready Proud Mary, and get ready for that band that's Bad to the Bone, ladies and gentlemen, let's roll tonight with Hard 8!!!"


    Mayor Mark Johnson - Covington LA

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  • Couple dancing at wedding reception, holding drinks, with band in background.

    "This was the highlight of our wedding! They played every song I requested and kept the crowd dancing until the very end. We tried to extend the venue for another hour so we could keep dancing, but they wouldn't let us LOL! And they were extremely affordable compared to other bands."


    Emily B.

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  • Woman watches band perform on stage at a venue called Columbia St. with mosaic mural backdrop.

    "This band is great! I haven't danced this much in I don't remember how long!!"


    June R. 

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  • Band

    "Best version of Proud Mary I've heard any cover band play! Hands down!"


    Tracy H.

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  • A group takes a selfie with a band on stage. People wave, play instruments, and smile. Outdoors.

    "Absolutely one of the best bands around!"


    Mike C.

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  • People pose with a band,

    "So much fun! The band was pretty good!"


    Charlene G. 

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  • People dancing in a well-lit room. Some have their arms raised. There are white decorations in the background.

    "This was the highlight of our wedding! They played every song I requested and kept the crowd dancing until the very end. We tried to extend the venue for another hour so we could keep dancing, but they wouldn't let us LOL! And they were extremely affordable compared to other bands."


    Emily B.

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  • Two smiling women, close-up, indoors. One in black top, other in blue tie-dye. Bar setting, blurry background.

    "I didn't want to do the same old thing that everyone else does for my 50th birthday so I told my husband to hire a band so we could dance! It was awesome!! They played so many dance songs and sing-alongs and they even let me sing with them. It was better than I ever expected."


    Nicole A.

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  • A crowded bar with people at the bar and in front of a stage with a band.

    "First live band I saw after COVID! It was exactly what I needed to hear!"


    James M.

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Band performing on stage under stage lights; red and purple hues. Musicians with instruments and singer at microphone.
Band performing live on stage at a venue; singer with microphone, musicians playing instruments, dark setting with blue stage lights.






















 


Hard 8 at The Twist of Lime 


HARD EIGHT

Band Members



Mike Anderson

Bass


Ben Banchs

Vocals


Paul Malphurs

Harmonica


Joey Marceaux

Drums


Javier Rodriguez

Guitar







OUR MUSIC

SoundCloud logo: red cloud with soundwave on the left and text
Red star next to the word
Hard 8 Band performing at The Ground Pat'i Grille & Bar. Musicians onstage; red and blue logo.
Poster for The Hard 8 Band live at Ruby's Roadhouse on Feb. 14, 2026, featuring a cupid in a Mardi Gras mask.

EVENTS

September 2026

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

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31

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3

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5

6

7

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10

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3

PREVIOUS SHOWS

DATE VENUE CITY
01/17/2021 Walk-On's Covington LA
03/13/2021 Walk-On's Covington LA
05/21/2021 Twist of Lime Metairie LA
05/29/2021 New Orleans Harley Davidson Metairie LA
10/02/2021 Twist of Lime Metairie LA
10/23/2021 The Hitch Ponchatoula LA
01/14/2022 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
01/28/2022 Battlefield Bar Chalmette LA
04/23/2022 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
04/30/2022 The Hitch Ponchatoula LA
05/14/2022 Twist of Lime Metairie LA
06/03/2022 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
06/22/2022 Cleary Tavern Metairie LA
08/30/2022 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
10/15/2022 Daiquiris & Creams Mandeville LA
11/19/2022 The Hitch Ponchatoula LA
12/21/2022 Cleary Tavern Metairie LA
01/20/2023 St Ann Wine Bar Mandeville LA
01/28/2023 Daiquiris & Creams Mandeville LA
02/11/2023 The Hitch Ponchatoula LA
02/25/2023 American Legion Post 73 Picayune MS
04/01/2023 Daiquiris & Creams Mandeville LA
05/06/2023 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
06/10/2023 American Legion Post 73 Picayune MS
06/30/2023 St Ann Wine Bar Mandeville LA
07/14/2023 Cleary Tavern Metairie LA
08/05/2023 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
08/19/2023 Daiquiris & Creams Mandeville LA
08/17/2023 The Kamp (Charity Event) Harahan LA
10/19/2023 Rockin' The Rails Covington LA
10/28/2023 Whiskey Cowboy Metairie LA
11/04/2023 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
12/02/2023 Daiquiris & Creams Mandeville LA
12/15/2023 St Ann Wine Bar Mandeville LA
01/19/2024 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
01/27/2024 Whiskey Cowboy Metairie LA
03/16/2024 Daiquiris & Creams Mandeville LA
03/22/2024 St Ann Wine Bar Mandeville LA
04/06/2024 Private Event Madisonville LA
04/13/2024 Felix's Restaurant New Orleans LA
05/10/2024 Faux Meaux Metairie LA
05/18/2024 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
06/07/2024 St Ann Wine Bar Mandeville LA
06/29/2024 Monshine Bar & Grill Metairie LA
07/20/2024 Faux Meaux Metairie LA
08/10/2024 Columbia Street Tap Room Covington LA
10/19/2024 Ground Pat'i Kenner LA
11/30/2024 Private Event Metairie LA

CONTACT US

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU

BOOKING INFO


BEN BANCHS

booking@hard8band.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

THE FINE PRINT



How far in advanced should you book your event?

For weddings, book as soon as you
know what day you're getting hitched.
Other events we prefer 30 days notice,
but if you're in a bind just give us a call.
Obviously, the more notice the better.

 
Do you provide DJ services?

Yes, we do. Our equipment can serve a dual purpose
and can be used to play your music choices before
and after the band plays, as well as during our breaks.

 
How much $$$ does it cost?

The cost to hire any band depends on a number of factors.
The three main considerations will always be when,
where, and how long you want us to play. 

Once you lock in a date, we will generate a contract for
you to sign, and also collect a deposit to hold the date.
 

Do you take requests?

We go out of our way to accommodate
songs requests, especially for weddings.

Once you book your event you can request any song
from our list and we will include it in your event's set.

If we cannot accommodate a particular song request live,
we are able to play a recording if it suits your event needs.
 

Can you accommodate announcements?

 Yes. Whether you want us to make all of
your announcements or if you want to use our
equipment and handle the announcements yourself,
we can support all your announcement needs.
 

Any other things to consider?

Each event location is different and will require its own
unique setup. Outdoor events especially may require
additional equipment such as a tent,
stage, and a reliable power source.