| Birth name | Craig Benjamin Wedren |
|---|---|
| Birth date | August 15, 1969 (age 57) |
| Origin | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Genre | Indie rock, post-hardcore, alternative rock |
| Occupation | Singer, musician, songwriter, composer |
| Instrument | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Label | Dischord, Epic, Team Love |
| Past member of | Shudder to Think |
| Website | craigwedren.com |
Craig Benjamin Wedren[1] (born August 15, 1969) is an American musician who began his career fronting the post-hardcore band Shudder to Think. Following the group's disbandment, he pursued a career as a television and film music composer, as well as releasing solo material.
Career
Wedren began his career as the singer and primary songwriter for Washington, D.C.-based Shudder to Think, a band that started out in the hardcore music scene, only to challenge the aesthetics and limitations of this then-emerging musical genre. After breaking indie music tradition by signing with Epic Records (Sony Music), Shudder to Think released three major label albums including their opus Pony Express Record. Shudder to Think toured widely with bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Fugazi, and Pearl Jam, and their videos were featured in regular rotation on MTV. At the peak of their career, a battle with Hodgkin's Disease grounded Wedren and the band, but following successful treatments Shudder to Think returned with a new goal in mind – to create music for film. With Shudder to Think, Wedren scored the independent films First Love Last Rites, and High Art, and contributed music to the film Velvet Goldmine. Shortly after making the transition to film work, the band dissolved their partnership, and Wedren continued his dual career as both film composer and solo artist.
As a composer, Wedren has scored a host of popular feature films including Wanderlust, Role Models, School of Rock, Wet Hot American Summer, By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, Laurel Canyon, Reno 911!: Miami, Roger Dodger, The Baxter, and Boxers and Ballerinas. Wedren has also written and performed music for the television shows Hung, United States of Tara, Reno 911!, Stella, The State, The Whitest Kids U' Know, Dawson's Creek, Bones and Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23.
In 2004, Wedren released a recording by his band Baby, which was in an electronic dance vein, but distinguished by glam and pop sensibilities.[2] In addition to Wedren, Baby's lineup also included Amy Miles (The Citizens Band), Charles Scott, Lee Mars (Nine Inch Nails), Alex Edinburgh, and Brad Vander Ark (The Verve Pipe).[3]
While continuing to grow creatively and commercially as a composer, Wedren has also developed a career as a solo artist. In 2005 he released his first solo album Lapland on the Team Love label, after which he toured supporting Foo Fighters, and Greg Dulli of Afghan Whigs. In September 2011, Wedren released Wand. To accompany the release of Wand, Wedren toured the United States with Chris Cornell, and he worked with director Tim Nackashi to create a series of 360-degree interactive videos.
In 2012, Wedren re-released recordings by his band Baby. The release included previously unreleased demos, and mixes, as well as a mixed tape which includes covers, and other unreleased material.
Wedren has also contributed vocals to the musical act Tweaker with Chris Vrenna, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, The Verve Pipe's self-titled album, the musical act Cex, The Dead Science's album Villainaire and Someone To Run Away From with Pocket, Jherek Bischoff, and a Fleetwood Mac cover with St. Vincent on Fleetwood Mac Tribute record Just Tell Me That You Want Me.
Wedren wrote the theme for and was a regular extra on MTV's The State and was close friends with many members of the show. Wedren also played a part in 2009's I Love You, Man as a member of the wedding band, as well a role in David Wain's 2012 film Wanderlust. He is a regular player with Wain's cover band the Middle Aged Dad Jam Band.
Wedren also wrote and performed the title track for the movie Balls of Fury. Additionally, he wrote the song "Bondage" for the movie soundtrack. [4]
In 2021, Wedren and Anna Waronker collaborated on the soundtrack to Showtime's Yellowjackets.[5] The original theme song No Return, for the opening credits,[6] was composed by the duo, alongside the score for the show. They also collaborated on the soundtrack for Hulu's Shrill in 2019.[5]
Personal life
Wedren was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1995. He successfully fought the disease and, after several years of treatments, remains in remission. Since 2006, he has been married to Meggan Lennon, the sister of his The State collaborator Thomas Lennon. They share a son.[7]
Discography
Solo discography
- Lapland (2005)
- The Spanish Amnesian (2009)
- Wand (2011)
- Adult Desire (2017)
- "Sanctuary" from Hanukkah+ (2019)[11]
- Sabbath Sessions, Vol. 1 (2020)[12]
- Sabbath Sessions Spring 2022 (2022)[13]
- Sabbath Sessions Summer 2022 (2022)[14]
- Sabbath Sessions F/W 2022-23 (2023)[15]
- The Dream Dreaming (2024)[16]
- Sabbath Sessions Summer 2025 (2025)[17]
With Shudder to Think
- Curses, Spells, Voodoo, Mooses (1988)
- Ten Spot (1990)
- Funeral at the Movies (1991)
- Get Your Goat (1992)
- Pony Express Record (1994)
- 50,000 B.C. (1997)
With Baby
- Baby (2004)
With Jefferson Friedman
- On in Love (2014)[18]
With Flesh Car
Film and television soundtracks
- First Love, Last Rites (1998; with Shudder to Think)
- High Art (1998; with Shudder to Think)
- The Ten (2007)[21]
- Role Models (2009)[22]
- Wet Hot American Summer (2016; with Theodore Shapiro)[23]
- Dog Days (2018; with Matt Novack)[24]
- New Amsterdam (2021)[25]
- Blood Hive (Original Score from the Showtime Series Yellowjackets) (2022; with Anna Waronker)[26]
- Blood Hive 2 (Original Score from the TV Series Yellowjackets (2023; with Anna Waronker)[27]
- Blood Hive 3 (Original Score from the TV Series Yellowjackets (2025; with Anna Waronker)[28]
Filmography
As a composer
Films
Television
References
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Billboard Staff (October 9, 2004). "Wedren Dances Again With Baby". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "Baby - Wanna Get Down". Now This Sound Is Brave. June 21, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ^ "Balls of Fury (2007) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com
- ^ "Inside the Alt-Rock Sound of Yellowjackets, TV's Most Thrilling Show". Pitchfork. 2022-01-10. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
- ^ "Yellowjackets (2021) - Opening Credits", 9 December 2021, retrieved 2022-01-11
- ^ "Making a transition into pop simplicity". Today. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
- ^ "We Finally Have an Album of Original Hanukkah Songs". Hey Alma. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ "Composer Craig Wedren on New ‘Sabbath Sessions’ Podcast and Meditatios". Jewish Journal. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ "Meet The Man Behind The Iconic Soundtrack To ‘Wet Hot American Summer’". Forward. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Havens, Lyndsey (16 December 2022). "How HAIM and Jack Black Helped This Grammy-Winning Music Supervisor Curate a Hanukkah Album". Billboard
- ^ "Sabbath Sessions, Vol. 1 by Craig Wedren on Apple Music", 2020-12-04, retrieved 2024-12-19
- ^ "Sabbath Sessions Spring 2022 by Craig Wedren on Apple Music", 2022-03-23, retrieved 2024-12-19
- ^ "Sabbath Sessions Summer 2022 by Craig Wedren on Apple Music", 2022-09-09, retrieved 2024-12-19
- ^ "Sabbath Sessions F/W 2022-23 by Craig Wedren on Apple Music", 2023-02-23, retrieved 2024-12-19
- ^ "The Dream Dreaming by Craig Wedren on Apple Music", 2024-01-26, retrieved 2024-12-19
- ^ "Sabbath Sessions Summer 2025 - Album by Craig Wedren - Apple Music", 2025-10-02, retrieved 2026-02-12
- ^ "On In Love by Jefferson Friedman, Craig Wedren & American Contemporary Music Ensemble on Apple Music", 2014-05-27, retrieved 2024-12-20
- ^ "Flesh Car". www.fleshcar.com. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "Flesh Car by Flesh Car on Apple Music", 2024-06-07, retrieved 2024-12-20
- ^ "Craig Wedren - The Ten - Film Soundtrack", 2007, retrieved 2024-12-20
- ^ "Craig Wedren - Role Models (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)", 2009-03-24, retrieved 2024-12-20
- ^ "Craig Wedren, Theodore Shapiro - Wet Hot American Summer - Original Score & Music", 2016, retrieved 2024-12-20
- ^ "Dog Days (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Craig Wedren & Matt Novack on Apple Music", 2018-08-10, retrieved 2024-12-20
- ^ "New Amsterdam (Music From the Television Series) by Craig Wedren on Apple Music", 2021-03-02, retrieved 2024-12-20
- ^ "Blood Hive (Original Score From the Showtime Series Yellowjackets) by Craig Wedren & Anna Waronker on Apple Music", 2022-04-15, retrieved 2024-12-20
- ^ "Blood Hive 2 (Original Score from the TV Series Yellowjackets) by Craig Wedren & Anna Waronker on Apple Music", 2023-06-16, retrieved 2024-12-20
- ^ "Blood Hive 3 (Original Score from the TV Series Yellowjackets) - Album by Craig Wedren & Anna Waronker - Apple Music", 2025-04-11, retrieved 2026-02-12
External links
- Craig Wedren official website
- Team Love Records
- Craig Wedren at IMDb
- Spin interview
- "Shudder to Think Singer Craig Wedren’s Polaroids Are Perfect Proto-Instagrams of the Indie 90s | Vanity Fair". www.vanityfair.com. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- "'Yellowjackets' Composers on Drafting a Perfect Indie-Rock Theme Song". variety.com. Retrieved 2025-08-17.