Jesse Sykes

by Jason MacNeil
Formed from the ashes of two alternative country bands, Whiskeytown and Hominy, the duo of lead singer/guitarist Jesse Sykes and guitarist Phil Wandscher met in 1999 in Seattles Hattie Hat bar. Sykes had just ended a relationship with Jim Sykes and had slowed her songwriting down, but a new seed was sprouted when meeting Wandscher. The pair began performing as a duo and received much praise, creating a slow buzz. The group eventually added drummer Kevin Warner, bassist Bill Herzog, and violinist Anne Marie Ruljancich. After entering the studio they recorded their debut release, Reckless Burning, which was released in April 2002. Over the next few years, the group shared the stage with Neko Case, Richard Buckner, Mark Olsen, and the Supersuckers, among others. Sykes second album, Oh, My Girl, came out two years later. Her third effort, Like, Love, Lust & the Open Halls of the Soul, emerged in 2007.