Biography
Comprising the vocal contributions of Elena Skye and the guitar work of Boo Reiner, the Demolition String Band produces country-rock sounds despite lacking origins in the expected Southern locales. The pair established the group during 1996 in New Jersey, with Skye hailing initially from Chicago and Reiner from Virginia; they first crossed paths inside a neighborhood bookstore before launching into collaborative bluegrass performances that earned positive coverage from outlets including The New York Times, Billboard, and The Village Voice. North Hollow Records, an independent imprint newly launched at the time, put out the band’s opening full-length One Dog Town in 1998, after which the duo embarked on an extensive tour across the United States. The following year brought a single in the form of a country-styled cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” and October 2001 saw the arrival of their second album, Pulling Up Atlantis. Where the Wild, Wild Flowers Grow appeared in 2004 and centered its material on the catalog of Ola Belle Reed, the underappreciated Appalachian songwriter. Drummer Phil Cimino and bassist Winston Roye augmented the lineup for the 2007 release Different Kinds of Love. Beyond mounting their own headline performances, the Demolition String Band served as support for established acts such as Patti Smith, Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie Spector, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, while Skye and Reiner also took part in segments on Comedy Central and Late Night with Conan O’Brien through their involvement with the Upright Citizens Brigade.
Albums