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The Ataris are an American
punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...
band from
Anderson, Indiana Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. The population was 54,788 at the 2020 census. It is named after Chief William Anderson. The city is the headquarters of the Church of God and its Anderson ...
. Formed in 1996, they released five studio albums between 1997 and 2007. Their best-selling album is '' So Long, Astoria'' (2003), which was certified gold. Their high-charting single is their cover of
Don Henley Donald Hugh Henley (born July 22, 1947) is an American musician who is a founding member of the rock band the Eagles, for whom he is the drummer and co-lead vocalist, as well as its sole continuous member. Henley sang the lead vocals on Eagles ...
's " The Boys of Summer" from ''So Long, Astoria''. The only constant member throughout their history has been singer/songwriter/guitarist Kristopher "Kris" Roe.


History


Kung Fu Records (1996–2001)

Formed on November 1, 1996, and with the band's name a reference to the large collection of
Atari Atari () is a brand name that has been owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by French holding company Atari SA (formerly Infogrames) and its focus is on "video games, consumer hardware, licensing and bl ...
video game cartridges of Roe, the band originally consisted of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Kristopher Roe and guitarist Jasin Thomason. Using a 4-track, Roe wrote and recorded demos in his bedroom, using a drum machine while he searched for a full-time drummer. The band's first big break came in 1996 when Roe attended a show at the club Bogart's in Cincinnati, where Thomason passed one of the band's demo tapes to a roadie from the band. The roadie gave the tape to Joe Escalante, bassist from the band
the Vandals The Vandals are an American punk rock band, established in 1980 in Orange County, California. They have released ten full-length studio albums, three live albums, three live DVDs and have toured the world extensively, including performances on ...
who owned their own label,
Kung Fu Records Kung Fu Records is an American independent record label founded in 1996 by Joe Escalante and Warren Fitzgerald of the punk rock band The Vandals. Founded in order to release a record by the Riverside, California band Assorted Jelly Beans, the l ...
. A few weeks later, Roe received a call from Kung Fu Records, who told him they were interested in putting out their record, even though he was really only searching for a drummer. The Ataris signed to Kung Fu and the label passed the tape along to various drummers. Eventually, Roe decided upon ex-
Lagwagon Lagwagon is an American punk rock band originally from Goleta, California, just outside Santa Barbara, California, Santa Barbara. They formed in 1989, went on hiatus in 2000, and reunited several times over the years. Their name comes from the ba ...
drummer
Derrick Plourde Derrick William Plourde (October 17, 1971 – March 30, 2005) was an American drummer, musician and artist. Born in Goleta, California, he was active from 1989 until his death in 2005. Although best known as a former member of Lagwagon, Plour ...
. The band then proceeded to record their debut album '' Anywhere but Here'', tracking the whole thing in less than a week. The album was released on April 29, 1997 and the band held a release show party at Missing Link Records in Indianapolis on May 2. In June 1997, Roe moved from Anderson, Indiana to Santa Barbara, California. Shortly afterward, Marko Desantis joined the band on bass for a short time. Thomason decided to leave the band to stay in Indiana, and the group toured as a three-piece for a short while. After a brief tour in October 1997, this lineup disbanded. Roe, out of money and living in a van, contemplated moving back to Indiana. But the band still had an upcoming tour booked with Dance Hall Crashers and
Unwritten Law Unwritten Law is an American punk rock band formed in 1990 in Poway, California by drummer Wade Youman. The band has undergone multiple line-up changes, with Youman the sole remaining original member – however, he has left the group twice in i ...
, so Roe decided to give the band one more shot. He got his friend from Santa Barbara, Mike Davenport, to play bass. Davenport shared a small rehearsal space on East Haley Street with his friend Marco Peña, who was in a different band. One day at the rehearsal space, Roe and Davenport heard the drummer of Peña's band, Chris Knapp, playing and immediately asked him to join the Ataris. While Roe and Davenport joked that Peña would be upset over them "stealing" his band's drummer, Peña surprised them by showing up at their practice the next day, strapping on his guitar, and playing along. It turned out Peña had learned all the songs from ''Anywhere But Here''. He joined the band as a second guitarist and the foursome went on their scheduled tour. However, Peña soon left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by Patrick Riley. From there, the band gradually increased in popularity in the underground rock scene due to their consistent touring and personal, DIY approach to the band. They then found more success with their 1998 EP '' Look Forward to Failure'', released on San Francisco punk label
Fat Wreck Chords Fat Wreck Chords (pronounced "Fat Records") is an independent record label based in San Francisco focused on punk rock. It was started by NOFX lead singer Michael Burkett (better known as Fat Mike) and his wife at the time, Erin Burkett in 1990. ...
. However, it wasn't until the release of '' Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits'' in 1999 that they started to gain widespread acclaim. The album's name comes from the name of a mobile home park along Highway 101 in Santa Barbara. Also, "...next 12 exits" refers to a nearby sign on Highway 101 North that reads "Santa Barbara, Next 12 Exits". The album contained personal, storytelling lyrics. After this album, Riley left the band to go back to school, and Marco Peña re-joined the band. In 2001 the band took part in the Vans Warped Tour. The band's third full-length studio album, ''
End Is Forever ''End Is Forever'' is the third studio album by American rock band The Ataris, released on Kung-Fu Records in 2001. The album features a mix of punk and pop punk similar to the band's previous works along with catchy pop rhythms. It contains ...
'', was also released in 2001.


''So Long, Astoria'' (2002–2004)

In 2002, the lineup changed again, with John Collura replacing Peña on guitar. Prior to this, Collura had played in his own band Beefcake who'd toured with the Ataris. He'd also done time on tour as a guitar tech for the Ataris just prior to Peña's departure. During this same period, the Ataris' contract with Kung Fu Records expired, and the band chose to sign with
Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...
. Later that year, they began recording their fourth full-length album and major label debut, '' So Long, Astoria'', released on March 4, 2003. Produced by Lou Giordano, the album's production served as a stark contrast to any of the band's past releases, as previous efforts were recorded in short time spans between tours. ''So Long, Astoria'' was widely credited for introducing the Ataris to a larger mainstream audience and generating several successful singles, including " In This Diary" and " The Saddest Song". Musically, the album showcased very personal, encrypted and slightly more optimistic songwriting with a more refined, straightforward rock sound, not unlike
Jimmy Eat World Jimmy Eat World is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Mesa, Arizona, in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and lead guitarist Jim Adkins, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach ...
. This album also included their hit cover song, originally recorded by
Don Henley Donald Hugh Henley (born July 22, 1947) is an American musician who is a founding member of the rock band the Eagles, for whom he is the drummer and co-lead vocalist, as well as its sole continuous member. Henley sang the lead vocals on Eagles ...
, " The Boys of Summer", which much to the dismay of the band became their "accidental" second single after the radio station KROQ in Los Angeles started playing it, even though the band had already chosen the song "My Reply" as their second single. The single is their highest-charting single to date, reaching No. 20 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The band toured behind this record for most of 2003 and into early 2004 adding another guitarist (Joseph A. Farriella) to the band. That year also saw the release of a low-key live album, ''Live At The Metro'', along with a track on the Spider-Man 2 soundtrack. So Long, Astoria sold well in excess of 700,000 copies and was certified gold. After a number of personal, financial and artistic differences, this line-up decided to go its separate ways over the summer and fall of 2004. Davenport, interested in playing heavier music, became a founding member of the band Versus the World, while Knapp stopped playing music altogether and stayed in Santa Barbara. Details regarding the departures of Knapp and Davenport have been kept quiet for sometime, and neither camp has appeared interested in fueling any public debate or ill-will. Looking for some time off, Roe headed back to Indiana while Collura, Farriella moved back to New York; though they would later regroup to begin the recordings of the band’s next album


''Welcome the Night'' (2005–2007)

After some time off, Roe and Collura later moved forward and began writing songs that would become part of the follow-up to ''So Long, Astoria'' titled '' Welcome the Night''. They held some informal practices with some friends from New York, who played in the band Park Ranger. These sessions led to three members of Park Ranger joining the Ataris: Sean Hansen on bass, Shane Chickeles on drums, and Paul Carabello on third guitar. To round out the lineup they added longtime friends
Bob Hoag Bob Hoag is an American record producer, songwriter and musician based in Mesa, Arizona. In 2005, he was recruited to be the pianist and keyboardist for American rock band The Ataris. Career Hoag wrote songs for his group, The Go Reflex, as wel ...
, formerly of
Pollen Pollen is a powdery substance produced by most types of flowers of seed plants for the purpose of sexual reproduction. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced Gametophyte#Heterospory, microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm ...
and the Go Reflex (which was managed by Roe), on piano and keyboards, and Angus Cooke on cello. Cooke played cello on past Ataris records, and helped with production as well. Starting in 2005, the band began recording ''Welcome the Night'' at Seedy Underbelly in California, with producer Nick Launay. Writing and recording eventually took the better part of two years and was extended to multiple studios. The album was routinely delayed by Columbia. On June 10, 2006, the band announced that it had left
Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...
due to the label's internal disintegration. In November 2006, the Ataris started their own imprint, Isola Recordings, through
Sanctuary Records Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and is, as of 2013, a subsidiary of BMG Rights Management solely for reissues. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest ...
and RED Distribution, and simultaneously announced the official release date of their fifth album ''Welcome the Night'' as February 20, 2007. ''Welcome the Night'' debuted at number 85 on the ''Billboard'' charts with over 12,000 copies sold. Following the album's release, the band embarked on a tour of the United States and Europe.


''New upcoming album'' (2008–present)

In June 2008, the band began demoing at The Gallows Recording Studio in Muncie, Indiana in preparation for recording in late summer, with the aim of releasing a new album in 2009. In November, the band posted a clip of a demo online. The following month, the band entered the studio to record their next album. On December 29, it was mentioned that drums had been completed and that guitars were next. In January 2009, the band went on a tour of the UK. On April 12, a demo titled "All Souls' Day" was posted on the group's Myspace. In addition, it was mentioned that their next album would be released in the summer. Between April and June 2009, the band toured the US, with shows in South Africa in the middle of this trek. After this, they appeared on the 2009 Warped Tour. The finished version of "All Souls' Day" was posted online in June 2009. On August 17, 2009, the band announced they had nearly finished recording their next album, tentatively titled ''Graveyard of the Atlantic''. They went on a short Midwest tour in November 2009. Between February and April 2010, the Ataris went on a cross-country US tour with Don't Panic, and then performed at the Windy City Sound Clash festival. Following this, they went on another US tour between July and September 2010. That same year, a two track songs, ''All Souls' Day & the Graveyard of the Atlantic'' containing just its title tracks was released under the Paper + Plastick label. In 2012, the band released a four track EP entitled ''The Graveyard of the Atlantic''. From 2013, the Ataris began a North American tour with Kris Roe as singer and the former members John Collura, Mike Davenport and Chris Knapp to celebrate the 10 years of their most successful album ''So Long, Astoria''. In 2015, the band release an acoustic album, titled ''Hang Your Head in Hope''. In 2016, the band released a six-song EP entitled ''October in This Railroad Earth'' through
Bandcamp Bandcamp is an American online music distribution platform founded in 2008 by Oddpost co-founder Ethan Diamond and programmers Shawn Grunberger, Joe Holt and Neal Tucker, with an office and record store in Oakland, California. Acquired by Epic ...
. In 2017,
Warped Tour The Warped Tour is a Concert tour, touring Rock music, rock music festival that toured the United States and Canada each summer from 1995 until 2019, and returned in 2025 for its 30th anniversary. By 2015, Warped was the largest traveling music ...
announced that the Ataris was going to play on the 2017 tour. On June 18, 2017, the band released a compilation titled ''Silver Turns to Rust'' on Bandcamp. This compilation featured four previously released tracks from ''The Graveyard of the Atlantic'' and six from the previously released EP ''October in this Railroad Earth''. In 2024, Kris Roe posted via the Ataris' Facebook page that the band is currently in the studio with producer and former drummer Bob Hoag to record the next album. Roe also confirmed that the band will most likely not use The Graveyard of the Atlantic album title. Roe also confirmed Bob Hoag will be recording drums on the upcoming record. On February 9, 2025, Roe confirmed bass and drums for the new record are officially recorded and is currently in the process of recording remaining guitars and vocals. On February 14, 2025, Roe confirmed
Summer of '69 "Summer of '69" is a song recorded by the Canadian singer Bryan Adams from his fourth album, ''Reckless (Bryan Adams album), Reckless''. It is an up-tempo rock song about a dilemma between settling down or trying to become a rock star. The tra ...
by
Bryan Adams Bryan Guy Adams (born November 5, 1959) is a British and Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and photographer. He is estimated to have sold between 75 million and more than 100 million album, records and Single (music), si ...
as one of the songs confirmed for the new album. On May 2nd 2025, the band released a new singl
"Car Song"
The song was previously available as a demo via the band's bandcamp profile.


Musical style

The Ataris has been described as
pop-punk Pop-punk (also punk-pop, alternatively spelled without the hyphen) is a rock music fusion genre that combines elements of punk rock with power pop or pop music, pop. It is defined by its fast-paced, energetic tempos, and emphasis on classic pop s ...
,
emo Emo () is a genre of rock music characterized by emotional, often confessional lyrics. It emerged as a style of hardcore punk and from the Washington, D.C., hardcore scene, where it was known as emotional hardcore or emocore. The bands ...
, and
punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...
. The band's influences include
Descendents The Descendents are an American punk rock band formed in Manhattan Beach, California, in 1977, by guitarist Frank Navetta, bassist Tony Lombardo and drummer Bill Stevenson (musician), Bill Stevenson as a power pop/surf music, surf punk band. I ...
, Jawbreaker, All,
Fugazi Fugazi (; ) is an American post-hardcore band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1986. The band consists of guitarists and vocalists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally, and drummer Brendan Canty. They were noted for their style-transc ...
,
Avail Avail is an American melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. Originally from Reston, Virginia, the band formed in 1987, its members including Joe Banks, Doug Crosby, Brien Stewart, and Mikey Warstler. The only original remaining member, ...
, the
Ramones The Ramones were an American punk rock band formed in the New York City neighborhood Forest Hills, Queens in 1974. Known for helping establish the punk movement in the United States and elsewhere, the Ramones are often recognized as one of th ...
, and the Replacements.


Controversy

While performing in Asbury Park, New Jersey on October 7, 2012, frontman Kris Roe acted hostile towards then-drummer Rob Felicetti on stage. Kris said he had "had enough" and "could not take it anymore" as the drummer was performing "off-time" throughout their set (a claim refuted by various professional drummers). A fan had captured the incident on camera, and was subsequently uploaded to social media. Roe claimed in a follow-up video regarding the incident that Felicetti was drunk during the performance, a claim Felicetti later denied. This incident led Felicetti to exit the band.


Band members

Current * Kristopher Roe – lead vocals, rhythm guitar , bass guitar * Mike Davenport – bass guitar * Chris Knapp – drums * John Collura – lead guitar, backing vocals, piano * Brian Bonsall - lead guitar, bass guitar Former *Jasin Thomason – lead guitar, backing vocals * Marko DeSantis – bass guitar *
Derrick Plourde Derrick William Plourde (October 17, 1971 – March 30, 2005) was an American drummer, musician and artist. Born in Goleta, California, he was active from 1989 until his death in 2005. Although best known as a former member of Lagwagon, Plour ...
– drums *Marco Peña – lead guitar *Patrick Riley - lead guitar *Joseph A. Farriella – rhythm guitar, backing vocals *Paul Carabello – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lead guitar *Sean Hansen – bass guitar, backing vocals, drums * Angus Cooke – cello *Shane Chikeles – drums, percussion *
Bob Hoag Bob Hoag is an American record producer, songwriter and musician based in Mesa, Arizona. In 2005, he was recruited to be the pianist and keyboardist for American rock band The Ataris. Career Hoag wrote songs for his group, The Go Reflex, as wel ...
– keyboards, percussion , drums *Christopher Swinney – lead guitar, backing vocals *Bryan Nelson – bass guitar *Jacob Dwiggins – drums *Aaron Glass – guitar *Rob Felicetti – lead guitar , drums *Thomas Holst – lead guitar , rhythm guitar *Erik Perkins – drums *Mike Woods – bass guitar *Dustin Phillips – drums *Dale Nixon - lead guitar *Danny Duke - bass guitar


Timeline


Discography

Studio albums *'' Anywhere but Here'' (1997) *'' Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits'' (1999) *''
End Is Forever ''End Is Forever'' is the third studio album by American rock band The Ataris, released on Kung-Fu Records in 2001. The album features a mix of punk and pop punk similar to the band's previous works along with catchy pop rhythms. It contains ...
'' (2001) *'' So Long, Astoria'' (2003) *'' Welcome the Night'' (2007) EPs albums *''Hawaii 1985 (with Junglefish)'' (1996) *'' Look Forward to Failure'' (1998) *''Wrists of Fury (with Douglas)'' (2000) *''Let It Burn (with Useless ID)'' (2000) *''All You Can Ever Learn Is What You Already Know'' (2002) *''The Graveyard of the Atlantic'' (2012) *''October in This Railroad Earth'' (2016) Compilation albums *Hang Your Head in Hope (2015) *Silver Turns to Rust (2017) Live albums *Live at Capitol Milling (2003) *Live at the Metro (2004) *Live in Chicago 2019 (2020)


References


External links


Bandcamp profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ataris, The Musical groups established in 1996 1995 establishments in Indiana American emo musical groups American pop punk groups Skate punk groups Punk rock groups from Indiana Columbia Records artists Fat Wreck Chords artists Kung Fu Records artists Sanctuary Records artists American punk rock groups