Demolition String Band

We are so saddened and crushed at the passing of our dear friend Chris Bryson who left us and his wonderful wife Cynthia Swope on Christmas morning December 25th, 2023. He had been fighting for months to overcome some sudden health challenges. We will miss him so much.
Chris was a Demolition String Band collaborator from day one in the late 90’s with his brilliant graphic design ideas – we always reminded him that we could never do a new album or release, or one of our many tribute concerts, without having him and his keen and artful eye create the visuals and graphics that were so important and that so complimented our music.

Every album we’ve ever made was designed, inside and out, by Chris. As well as every tshirt, shot glass, matchbook, beer koozie and any other piece of DSB merch. He has been a constant through our band’s 28 year run, not just with his talent but with his enthusiasm and encouragement.

After he and his wife Cynthia relocated from their beloved Alphabet City home to New Orleans some years ago, Chris began sharing his gift for photography, especially his street portraits which are stunning and place him in another artistic class beyond his graphic design abilities.

His absence on our little team moving onward will be acute, and even more so as our longtime friend.
Our love and prayers go out to Cynthia and everyone who knew and loved him.

Demolition String Band Acoustic at Porchlight on New Year’s Eve with Nick Reeb on fiddle and Matt Quiones on bass! They doll the place up to look like a cool winter ski lodge type place and have all kinds of cool foods and drinks. Go to their website for all the details!

Demolition String Band Electric at Skinny Dennis 9-Midnight tonite (12/16) with Kenny Soule on drums and Winston Roye on bass and then tomorrow around the corner at Lucky Dog 4-7pm DSB acoustic! ***ytonkmusic

We’re back at Lucky Dog again today 11/19 4-7pm! Banjo, fiddle, mandolin, Martin Guitars, harmonies, originals and bluegrass classics! Come join us, bring your dog if you got one! 🐕🐩🐕‍🦺🐾🦴🎶🎶🎼🎻🪕

Demolition String Band Electric tonight 11/18 at “The Skinny,” 9-Midnight with this groovy rhythm section! Always a pleasure when we spend Sat night rockin’ and twangin’ at one of the coolest h***y tonks around. Lots of time tested originals and tasty covers! Come join us!

Boo and I’ll be at Porchlight tonight 10/23, doing our duo thang, 6-9pm. Banjo, mando and two guitars. A few spooky murder ballads thrown in the mix to get in the mood. (Jack O’ Lantern courtesy of a day hang with my fav craft assistant “Steady Freddie”)

Thanks Lenny Kaye for having us on your Nuggets stage!

Can you feel it? For the Fall 2023 Hoboken Arts and Music Festival, Lenny Kaye put together an all-star band and invited special guests to lend a hand. Joining Lenny on stage Elena Skye and Boo Reiners (Demolition String Band). All three have played multiple times at the festival.







Dennis Diken

We’ll be singing a song in Lenny Kaye’s “Nuggets” show at The Hoboken Art & Music Festival this Sunday, Oct 1st. Lots of great singers will be joining his stellar icon-filled band singing these “psychedelic artifacts.” The Nuggets set starts at 1:30. More details in this groovy article by Cindy Stagoff! The whole day is gonna be pretty swell with sets by Karyn Kuhl Band, The Bongos and The Feelies!

Tonight Boo and Elena are doing their duo thang at Porchlight in Manhattan, 6-9pm. Stop by if you’re in the ‘hood! (Photo from Omagh Bluegrass Festival in Northern Ireland a few years back).

Christopher Bryson of the Waxed Paper Press has been ridin’ shotgun with Demolition String Band since Vermont’s North Hollow Records put out our debut album in ‘98. Talent, skills, brains — and with a camera, he’s magic. He’s been a little bit under the weather, but is gettin’ better ever day. Good to see him and his lens getting featured here in the

Christopher Bryson - South x Southeast photomagazine And then she asked, “But are you happy, baby?” The doors of St Mary’s Vieux Carré New Orleans, LA 2015 […]

Tonight in Westfield; Sweet Sounds Downtown! We’re playing 7-9pm. Stop by if you’re in the hood!

Demolition String Band Electric will be h***y tonkin’ Sat nite (8/19) at Skinny Dennis 9pm -Mid with WJRoye and David Christian and then we spend Sun afternoon (8/20) playing the bluegrass music at Lucky Dog 4-7pm with Erik Alvar and Kensuke Shoji.

Thanks to Cindy Stagoff and njarts for such a great article about next week’s big show!

Demolition String Band and guests to play country classics at free Hoboken show Event takes place Aug. 17 at Frank Sinatra Park.

Mark your calendars, this is going to be fun! Lots of great classic country with a gaggle of great singers and musicians! Hosted by Demolition String Band Electric at beautiful Sinatra Park on the Hudson River, Thursday Aug 17! 7-9pm (poster by the fabulous chris bryson)

Tomorrow, Sunday August 6, Demolition String Band acoustic at the “Music in the Park series" in Riverview-Fisk Park in Jersey City, 12:30-1:30! We are told this Sunday is also the annual Peach Pie contest as well so it should be a pretty yummy event! Come by if you’re in the hood. With our buddy Sammy Barnes on fiddle and special guest Jason Sypher on bass!

Gettin’ excited because our “family fun” side project, The Americana Family Jamboree, will be hosting two all ages square dances on The Family Stage at The Greyfox Bluegrass Festival on Friday (7/14) 4:15pm at and Sat (7/15) 4:45pm with special guest fiddler Sammy Barnes and the fabulous Megan Downes of The City Stompers calling! Come join us and wear your dancin’ shoes! Boo Reiners Sam Barnes Neil Helme Elena Skye