Today’s Las Vegas Sun has an article about Hard 8, a rock band who is seeking stardom through an unusual path. They sent a demo to the UFC who liked their music so much they asked them to record a number of songs for use on their programming:

Hard 8 hopes that hooking up with the UFC will start its breakout roll.

The group pitched a couple of songs to the mixed martial arts giant headquartered in Las Vegas. UFC officials liked the songs so much they asked for more, and ended up contracting the band for 17 songs to use on televised bouts.

Hard 8’s aggressive sound combines elements of rock, hard core, alternative, metal and hip-hop. It has performed at the Palms, House of Blues, Empire Ballroom, Celebrity Theater and Jillian’s.

Lead singer and guitarist Kurtis Imel, 30, was inspired to submit his music after attending a few of the fights.

“I felt like I was at a concert,� he says. “All the music I do, I thought my stuff would be perfect.�

Apparently, so did the UFC.

The group has been together for about six years. It features Imel (whose stage name is K-8), drummer Patrick Stockburger (P.A. Trick), keyboardist Ryan Moore (Professor Blue) and bassist Anthony Pirrello (Lil Homie).

Imel began playing in a cover band in Boulder, Colo., when he was 15. The band was considering moving to Los Angeles. But Imel had a premonition and didn’t make the trip. The lead singer went alone and was killed in a car wreck. Imel moved to Las Vegas nine years ago and started to put together a new band.

Hard 8 is almost ready to roll the dice again with a new CD, “Heartbreak Boulevard,� which is expected to be released in late summer or early fall.

If the national exposure of its UFC songs works its magic, Hard 8 should make it the easy way.

One way or another, these bands are hot @ Las Vegas Sun