Absentee were an English alternative rock band from London, England, signed to Memphis Industries.

The band members were Dan Michaelson (vocals/guitar), Melinda Bronstein (vocals, keyboards, melodica, glockenspiel), Babak Ganjei (guitar/lap steel), Laurie Earle (bass) and Jon Chandler (drums, later replaced by Che Albrighton).

[6][7] The NME called it a "lugubrious wonder", with James Jam considering "Michaelson’s grumbled, world-weary mumble...the most wondrous sound to trickle out of a human being’s voicebox all year".

[8] In 2006, the band released the James Ford-produced album, Schmotime,[1] which was well received by the music press, including a 7.1 Pitchfork rating.

[14] They toured with The Magic Numbers, Brakes, Broken Family Band, Bloc Party and Silver Jews.