Sorry About Dresden

Sorry About Dresden is a four-man indie rock band from Chapel Hill, N.C. Since forming in 1997, the band has made a modest splash in the national indie scene.

Combining elements of traditional alternative rock and punk rock, the band has drawn comparisons to Pavement, Superchunk, and the Archers of Loaf. The music’s sound is guitar-driven with a twangy, chiming feel.

Though they use political-historical references in a number of their song and album titles and in the name of the band itself (see Bombing of Dresden in World War II), Sorry About Dresden’s music is largely apolitical. Lyrics tend to be melancholy or about weather.

Sorry About Dresden has released three full-length albums, an EP, and has appeared on a number of compilations and finally found a home on Saddle Creek Records. The band’s first release was The Mayor Will Abdicate in 1999 under the independent label Route 14 Records. This was followed by How the Cold War Began and The Convenience of Indecision, both released in 2001 under different labels.

Sorry About Dresden's biggest commercial success came by way of their fourth album Let it Rest with Saddle Creek Records, an Omaha-based label started by Justin Oberst, brother of the band’s guitarist (and co-singer) Matt Oberst. The other members of Sorry About Dresden are drummer James Hepler, singer/guitarist Eric Roehrig, and bassist Matt Tomich. Matt Oberst's younger brother, Conor Oberst of the popular indie act Bright Eyes, is also on the label.

Over the years Sorry About Dresden has made a name for itself on the college rock scene, mostly through word of mouth and favorable reviews in independent publications.

Singer/song writer/guitarist of Sorry About Dresden Matt Oberst passed away November 27th, 2016 at the age of 42 in his home in North Carolina leaving behind children Johnno and Annabelle Oberst.

Discography

Albums

• The Mayor Will Abdicate (1999) - Route 14 Records
• Rock School (2001) - Moment Before Impact Records
• How the Cold War Began (2001) - Moment Before Impact Records
• The Convenience of Indecision (2001) - Saddle Creek Records
• Let it Rest (2003) - Saddle Creek Records
• "Sorry About Dresden/The Jagular Drop 7" Split" (2006) - Horn Records

Singles

• "Crusades"/"Me and Kim Il Sung" (1997) - Dude City Records
• Sorry About Dresden/The White Octave ("What The Sea Left Behind Part 2" / "Felix Culpa") (2000) - Moment Before Impact Records
• Rock School ("State You Hate") (2001) - Moment Before Impact Records

Compilations

• Saddle Creek 50 (2002 · Saddle Creek)
• Lagniappe: A Saddle Creek Benefit for Hurricane Katrina (2005 · Saddle Creek)
• Sing For Your Meat: A Tribute to Guided By Voices (2011 · No More Fake Labels)

External links

• sorryaboutdresden.com
• Sorry About Dresden Myspace
• Saddle Creek Records
• Lazy-i Interview: July 2003