Sorry About Dresden
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Chapel Hill, North Carolina , United States |
| Products | Indie rock music, albums, EPs, singles |
| Website | sorryaboutdresden |
Sorry About Dresden was an indie rock group originating from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, established in 1997 and affiliated with Saddle Creek Records. Their discography includes three studio albums, one EP, and contributions to multiple compilation albums.
History
Formed in 1997 by Omaha native Matt Oberst alongside bassist Matt Tomich, guitarist and vocalist Eric Roehrig, and drummer James Hepler, the band's name alludes to the bombing of Dresden but is described as "neither ideological nor depressive."
Their initial release was the single "Crusades" (1998), which preceded their first full-length album The Mayor Will Abdicate (1999), released through Route 14 Records. In 2001, they followed up with both the EP How the Cold War Began and the album The Convenience of Indecision.
The band’s highest commercial achievement was their third album, Let It Rest (2003), released on Omaha-based Saddle Creek Records—founded by Justin Oberst, brother of lead singer Matt Oberst. Notably, Matt’s younger sibling, Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, is also signed to this label.
After a period of inactivity, Sorry About Dresden reunited for a performance in March 2006. Tragically, frontman Matt Oberst passed away on November 27, 2016, at age 42. To commemorate him, the surviving members held a memorial concert on January 4, 2020, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Cat's Cradle (venue).
A posthumous track titled "Ghost (Is Leaving Me)," recorded during sessions for The Convenience Of Indecision, was released on October 22, 2021.
Albums
- The Mayor Will Abdicate (1999) - Route 14 Records
- The Convenience of Indecision (2001) - Saddle Creek Records
- Let It Rest (2003) - Saddle Creek Records
Singles
- Crusades"/"Me and Kim Il Sung (1998) - Dude City Records
- Sorry About Dresden/The White Octave 7" split ("What The Sea Left Behind Part 2" / "Felix Culpa") (2000) - Moment Before Impact Records
- Rock School ("State You Hate", "Lachrymose/Obsequious/Vehement/Elated") (2000) - Moment Before Impact Records
- Bright Eyes/Rilo Kiley/Sorry About Dresden 7" split ("Candid Camera") (2002) - Devil in the Woods Magazine Issue #55
- Sorry About Dresden/Cold Sides 7" split ("Leviathan") (2003) - Sit n' Spin Records
- Sorry About Dresden/The Jagular Drop 7" split (2006) - Horn Records
- Ghost (Is Leaving Me) (2021) - Saddle Creek Records
EPs
- How The Cold War Began (2001) - Moment Before Impact Records
Contributions and Appearances
- The Bridges of Dissonant County Vol. 1 ("What Gives You Butterflies?") (1998) - 2A Records
- Pet Sounds Volume One: A Benefit For Alter ("My Universe") (1999) - Vital Cog Records
- NE vs NC ("Some Precision") (2002) - The Redemption Recording CO.
- Patchwork: A Compilation ("An Unmade Bed") (2002) - Mere Exposure
- Saddle Creek 50 ("Sick and Sore", "People Have Parties") (2002) - Saddle Creek Records
- I Am A Cold Rock. I Am Dull Grass: A Tribute to Will Oldham ("All Gone, All Gone") (2004) - Tract Records
- Lagniappe: A Saddle Creek Benefit for Hurricane Katrina ("Sunrise: Norfolk, Virginia") (2005) - Saddle Creek Records
- Sing For Your Meat: A Tribute to Guided By Voices ("Echos Myron") (2011) - No More Fake Labels