ARTIST

The Ataris

The story of Ataris may read like a fairytale, but an overnight success they are not. Lead vocalist/guitarist Kris Roe grew up in the drab Midwestern town of Anderson, Indiana as an aspiring songwriter, constantly writing and recording songs in his bedroom. One fateful day Roe attended a Vandals show, handed founding Vandal Joe Escalante (and head of notable punk-rock label Kung Fu Records) a demo tape, and weeks later received a call from Escalante asking him to make a record for Kung Fu, located in Southern California. Unable to resist the offer, Roe moved to Santa Barbara, California and put together a band, which included guitarist Marco Pena (eventually replaced by John Collura, guitar/vocals), bassist Mike Davenport, and drummer Derrick Plourde (ex-Lagwagon, who was later replaced by Chris "Kid" Knapp).

The newly formed band released their first album, Anywhere But Here (produced by Vandals guitarist Warren Fitzgerald), in 1997. The indie debut caught the ear of NoFx's Fat Mike, owner of the even more reputable punk label Fat Wreck Chords, and Mike subsequently offered his favorite new foursome the chance to record an EP, Look Forward To Failure, produced by members of The Descendents.

The band also released three additional back-to-back albums for Kung Fu: Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits with producer Joey Cape (Lagwagon's singer/producer) in early 1999, Let It Burn in 2000, and End Is Forever in 2001. Each record sold more than 100,000 copies in the U.S. with comparable sales around the world, leading to sold-out shows in Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The Ataris continued to tour nonstop -- sharing bills with bands like Jimmy Eat World, Social Distortion, Blink 182, 311, MxPx, Unwritten Law, Goldfinger, and The Hives -- and were a main attraction on the Vans Warped Tour several times.

After months of writing and recording, the Ataris released their highly anticipated major-label debut So Long, Astoria (Columbia Records) in March 2003. Roe has described the album as a straightforward powerpop-rock record that still reflects the band's early indie roots. As owners of their own record store in Santa Barbara who are still devotedly interactive with their fans and are even lending a helping hand in getting fellow bands signed to indie labels, The Ataris aren't ones to forget their humble beginnings.

Written by Minnie Chi