The Ataris
Encyclopedia
The Ataris are a rock band from Anderson, Indiana
. They have released five studio albums, and their most recent E.P. was released on November 25, 2010 on the Gainesville, Florida
based label, Paper + Plastick
. It contained the brand new tracks "All Souls' Day" and "The Graveyard of The Atlantic" both from their forthcoming full length L.P. "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" due out in early 2012 also on Paper + Plastick.
, bassist from the band The Vandals
who owned their own label, Kung Fu Records
. 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
drummer Derrick Plourde
. 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
, 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 due to personal reasons and was replaced by Patrick Riley.
From there, the band gradually increased in popularity in the underground rock scene, a lot 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
. However, it wasn't until the release of Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits
in the year 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 and heartfelt tales of relationships, discovery and things once left behind. After this album, Riley left the band to go back to school, and Marco Peña re-joined the band.
The band's third full length studio album, End is Forever
, was released in 2001. This album painted a more intensely personal side of the band's storytelling and personal relationships. Due to their persistent touring schedule, a lot of the arrangements and lyrics were worked out at the last minute while in the studio and then the vocals recorded while Roe had a bad cold. Roe maintains that he was not completely happy with half of the songs, although he went on to state that in spite of this, several of the songs such as "Fast Times at Dropout High" and "Road Signs and Rock Songs" were still to date some of the band's strongest of their earlier career.
During this same period, the Ataris' contract with Kung Fu Records expired, and the band chose to sign with Columbia Records
. 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. Where as previous efforts would be 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
. This album also included their hit cover song, originally recorded by Don Henley "The Boys of Summer
", which much to the dismay of the band became their "accidental" second single after a 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 #20 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
The band toured behind this record for most of 2003 and into early 2004. That year also saw the release of a low-key, bootleg 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 respectfully and creatively 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 moved back to New York; though the pair would later regroup to begin the recordings of the band's next album.
. 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
, formerly of Pollen
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
due to the label's internal disintegration. In November 2006, The Ataris started their own imprint, Isola Recordings, through Sanctuary Records
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.
. He said, "I feel that today where I am at is sort of coming around full circle and just having fun again and being newly inspired by the art that made me discover music in the first place.".
In Spring 2008, three members of a local Indiana band joined The Ataris, replacing the Welcome The Night-era lineup after an amicable split. The band began recording demos for their next album at The Gallows Studio in Muncie, Indiana. Roe described the songs as "just very melodic, raw, catchy, upbeat, sing along rock songs" and "definitely everything the opposite of slick, polished and over produced."
In December 2008, the band recorded a batch of new songs at Flying Blanket Studios in Arizona. Some of which Roe has stated will likely become part of their forthcoming album "The Graveyard of the Atlantic"
Kristopher Roe played a number of acoustic shows throughout Europe and U.K. from January through March 2009. The full band then toured through South America, South Africa, an extensive U.S. tour and scattered dates on the Warped Tour in summer 2009.
Roe finished all of the guitars, bass, and drums for the existing thirteen songs in April 2009. Vocals have currently been recorded on four of those finished tracks. Roe has stated that he has written several other songs since and plans to record and add some of those tracks to The Graveyard of the Atlantic. Roe has confirmed the song "Fast Times at Dropout High", from the End is Forever
album, will be re-recorded for the new album. The band recently uploaded an early, unmastered mix of "All Souls Day", as well as an untitled acoustic demo. Both of which will likely be included on their upcoming CD. This rough mix of "All Souls' Day" was also included on the 2009 Warped tour compilation CD
.
In August, Roe posted a blog on the band's MySpace
page informing that the new album will be named The Graveyard of the Atlantic
. The album will be released in Japan by Bullion Records and in the United States on the Gainesville, Florida
based label, Paper + Plastick
.
On June 10, 2010 Kristopher Roe announced (through facebook.com/theataris) that a 7 inch containing two new songs will be released on July 6 on the Gainesville, FL label Paper + Plastick, in time for their summer tour with Gasoline Heart. The 7 inch contains full band recordings of the songs "All Souls' Day" and "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" and was made available November 25, 2010.
In January–February 2011, Kris Roe embarked on a cross country acoustic
solo tour of the US, mostly playing stripped down acoustic versions of The Ataris songs, as well as the occasional spontaneous cover song. During the band's down time Kristopher still continues to tour the world acoustically. To date Kristopher has embarked on several successful acoustic tours throughout the United States, Australia, Japan, South America, Europe, U.K. and Canada.
In an interview with Kris Roe on February 7, 2011, he has confirmed that 20 songs had been recorded in the sessions for their upcoming album The Graveyard of the Atlantic
, Likely around twelve of those would make the final record. Some of the leftover tracks will be released over a staggered period of time as 7"'s. bonus tracks and B-sides at the band's own leisure. Kristopher also confirmed that there were still vocals to record for six of those remaining final album tracks, then mixing and mastering will follow. All of the album has been recorded completely to analog tape, using organic sounds and vintage equipment. "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" is now set for release in early 2012.
Former members
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Madison county. Anderson is the headquarters of the Church of God and home of Anderson University, which is...
. They have released five studio albums, and their most recent E.P. was released on November 25, 2010 on the Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
based label, Paper + Plastick
Paper + Plastick
Paper + Plastick is an indie record label, founded by Vinnie Fiorello, best known as the drummer for ska punk band Less Than Jake, but also co-founder of the label Fueled By Ramen.-History:Announced on March 21, 2008, the label launched on May 30, 2008....
. It contained the brand new tracks "All Souls' Day" and "The Graveyard of The Atlantic" both from their forthcoming full length L.P. "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" due out in early 2012 also on Paper + Plastick.
Kung Fu Records (1995–2002)
Formed in 1995, the band originally consisted of singer, songwriter, guitarist Kris Roe and guitarist Jasin Thomason. Using a 4-track, Kris 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 Kris attended a show at the club Bogart's in Cincinnati, where Jasin passed one of the band's demo tapes to a roadie from the band. The roadie gave the tape to Joe EscalanteJoe Escalante
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Escalante is an American musician, record label owner, radio host, film and music video director, and amateur matador, as well as a former television executive and entertainment lawyer...
, bassist from the band The Vandals
The Vandals
The Vandals are an American rock band established in 1980 in Huntington Beach, California. They have released ten full-length studio albums and two live albums and have toured the world extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour...
who owned their own label, Kung Fu Records
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 label soon grew to include a roster of notable artists...
. 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
Lagwagon is an American punk rock band originally from Goleta, just outside Santa Barbara, California. They formed in 1990 and went on hiatus and reunited several times over the years...
drummer Derrick Plourde
Derrick Plourde
Derrick William Plourde was a drummer who was born in Goleta, California. Active between 1989 and his unexpected death in 2005, he was a former member of Lagwagon, Bad Astronaut, Jaws, The Ataris, Mad Caddies, Rich Kids on LSD, and others.Suspected as bipolar and battling drug addiction, Derrick...
. 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
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Madison county. Anderson is the headquarters of the Church of God and home of Anderson University, which is...
, Indiana to Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
, 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
Dance Hall Crashers
Dance Hall Crashers is an American ska punk band formed in 1989 in Berkeley, California.-Early years:The original incarnation of the Dance Hall Crashers was formed in 1989 by Matt Freeman and Tim Armstrong, formerly of the seminal Bay Area ska-punk band Operation Ivy, after both musicians...
and Unwritten Law
Unwritten Law
Unwritten Law is an American rock band formed in 1990 in Poway, California and currently recording for Suburban Noize Records. They have released seven full-length studio albums and have toured internationally, including performances on the Warped Tour...
, so Roe decided to give the band one more shot. He got his friend from Santa Barbara, Mike Davenport
Mike Davenport
Michael Sean Davenport is a musician. Davenport was bass guitarist, for The Ataris, joining the band in 1995 prior to the album Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits in which Davenport co-wrote the song "In Spite Of the World". He also played bass on the album End is Forever and the EP Look...
, to play bass. Davenport shared a small rehearsal space on East Haley Street with his friend Marco Peña
Marco Peña
Marco Peña was the guitarist for the American rock band The Ataris from 1999 to 2001. He is credited as having played on their album End Is Forever although it is thought that Kris Roe played all the guitar parts on this record. He was also an early member of former Ataris bassist Mike Davenport's...
, 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 due to personal reasons and was replaced by Patrick Riley.
From there, the band gradually increased in popularity in the underground rock scene, a lot 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
Look Forward to Failure
Look Forward to Failure was an EP released on November 10, 1998 by The Ataris on Fat Wreck Chords. This was the first album released to feature the fan favorite "San Dimas High School Football Rules". That song later appeared on Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits...
, released on San Francisco punk label Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
. However, it wasn't until the release of Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits
Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits
Blue Skies, Broken Hearts... Next 12 Exits is the second-full length album by The Ataris, released on Kung Fu Records on April 13, 1999. Singer/guitarist Kris Roe took the photograph for the album cover.-Track listing:...
in the year 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 and heartfelt tales of relationships, discovery and things once left behind. After this album, Riley left the band to go back to school, and Marco Peña re-joined the band.
The band's third full length studio album, End is Forever
End Is Forever
End Is Forever is the third full release on Kung-Fu Records by The Ataris in 2001. Along with Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits, End Is Forever is usually considered one of the best albums by The Ataris. The album features a mix of punk and pop punk similar to the bands previous works...
, was released in 2001. This album painted a more intensely personal side of the band's storytelling and personal relationships. Due to their persistent touring schedule, a lot of the arrangements and lyrics were worked out at the last minute while in the studio and then the vocals recorded while Roe had a bad cold. Roe maintains that he was not completely happy with half of the songs, although he went on to state that in spite of this, several of the songs such as "Fast Times at Dropout High" and "Road Signs and Rock Songs" were still to date some of the band's strongest of their earlier career.
So Long, Astoria (2003–05)
In 2002, the lineup changed again, with John Collura replacing Peña on guitar. Prior to this, Collura had played in his own band 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
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Later that year, they began recording their fourth full-length album and major label debut, So Long, Astoria
So long, astoria
So Long, Astoria is the fourth full-length album released by The Ataris on March 4, 2003.This is The Ataris' first album on Columbia Records, having previously been signed to independent punk label Kung Fu Records. It peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified gold status...
, released on March 4, 2003.
Produced by Lou Giordano
Lou Giordano
Lou Giordano is a record producer and recording engineer who worked at Radiobeat Studios and Fort Apache Studios. He has produced a wide variety of bands, including Hüsker Dü, the Goo Goo Dolls, and many others....
, the album's production served as a stark contrast to any of the band's past releases. Where as previous efforts would be 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
Jimmy Eat World is an American alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, that formed in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind....
. This album also included their hit cover song, originally recorded by Don Henley "The Boys of Summer
The Boys of Summer (song)
"The Boys of Summer" is a song by Don Henley, with lyrics written by Henley and music composed by Henley and Mike Campbell, longtime guitarist for Tom Petty. It is the lead track and first single from Henley's 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast. The song's music video won many awards...
", which much to the dismay of the band became their "accidental" second single after a 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 #20 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
The band toured behind this record for most of 2003 and into early 2004. That year also saw the release of a low-key, bootleg live album, Live At The Metro
Live At The Metro
Live at the Metro is a live album released by American pop punk band The Ataris in 2004. It was recorded live on October 25, 2003 at The Metro in Chicago...
, along with a track on the Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 is a 2004 American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi, written by Alvin Sargent and developed by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Michael Chabon. It is the second film in the Spider-Man film franchise based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man...
soundtrack. So Long, Astoria
So long, astoria
So Long, Astoria is the fourth full-length album released by The Ataris on March 4, 2003.This is The Ataris' first album on Columbia Records, having previously been signed to independent punk label Kung Fu Records. It peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified gold status...
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 respectfully and creatively 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 moved back to New York; though the pair would later regroup to begin the recordings of the band's next album.
Welcome the Night (2005–07)
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 NightWelcome the Night
Welcome the Night is the fifth studio album by The Ataris, the long delayed follow-up to the previous release So Long, Astoria and marks the departure from melodic punk style to a more indie alternative rock...
. 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
Bob Hoag is a 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:...
, formerly of Pollen
Pollen (band)
Pollen was a power pop band originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They released four albums over their eight years.-Band members:*Dan Hargest, *Kevin Scanlon, Pollen was a power pop band originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They released four albums over their eight...
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
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
due to the label's internal disintegration. In November 2006, The Ataris started their own imprint, Isola Recordings, through Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest independent music management company in the world...
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.
The Graveyard of the Atlantic (since 2007)
Roe stated in a blog post that the band's new material would see a return to the more upbeat, urgent , rock sound from albums like End Is ForeverEnd Is Forever
End Is Forever is the third full release on Kung-Fu Records by The Ataris in 2001. Along with Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits, End Is Forever is usually considered one of the best albums by The Ataris. The album features a mix of punk and pop punk similar to the bands previous works...
. He said, "I feel that today where I am at is sort of coming around full circle and just having fun again and being newly inspired by the art that made me discover music in the first place.".
In Spring 2008, three members of a local Indiana band joined The Ataris, replacing the Welcome The Night-era lineup after an amicable split. The band began recording demos for their next album at The Gallows Studio in Muncie, Indiana. Roe described the songs as "just very melodic, raw, catchy, upbeat, sing along rock songs" and "definitely everything the opposite of slick, polished and over produced."
In December 2008, the band recorded a batch of new songs at Flying Blanket Studios in Arizona. Some of which Roe has stated will likely become part of their forthcoming album "The Graveyard of the Atlantic"
Kristopher Roe played a number of acoustic shows throughout Europe and U.K. from January through March 2009. The full band then toured through South America, South Africa, an extensive U.S. tour and scattered dates on the Warped Tour in summer 2009.
Roe finished all of the guitars, bass, and drums for the existing thirteen songs in April 2009. Vocals have currently been recorded on four of those finished tracks. Roe has stated that he has written several other songs since and plans to record and add some of those tracks to The Graveyard of the Atlantic. Roe has confirmed the song "Fast Times at Dropout High", from the End is Forever
End Is Forever
End Is Forever is the third full release on Kung-Fu Records by The Ataris in 2001. Along with Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits, End Is Forever is usually considered one of the best albums by The Ataris. The album features a mix of punk and pop punk similar to the bands previous works...
album, will be re-recorded for the new album. The band recently uploaded an early, unmastered mix of "All Souls Day", as well as an untitled acoustic demo. Both of which will likely be included on their upcoming CD. This rough mix of "All Souls' Day" was also included on the 2009 Warped tour compilation CD
Warped Tour 2009 Tour Compilation
The Warped Tour 2009 Tour Compilation is the fourteenth installment in the annual compilation series accompanying the Warped Tour. The cover is a photograph of NOFX members El Hefe, Fat Mike, and Erik Sandin performing on the 2006 tour.- Track listing :...
.
In August, Roe posted a blog on the band's MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page informing that the new album will be named The Graveyard of the Atlantic
The Graveyard of the Atlantic
Graveyard of the Atlantic was supposed to be the sixth studio album by American alternative rock band The Ataris. However, the status of the album and the release date are unknown, as it has been pushed back for over 2 years...
. The album will be released in Japan by Bullion Records and in the United States on the Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
based label, Paper + Plastick
Paper + Plastick
Paper + Plastick is an indie record label, founded by Vinnie Fiorello, best known as the drummer for ska punk band Less Than Jake, but also co-founder of the label Fueled By Ramen.-History:Announced on March 21, 2008, the label launched on May 30, 2008....
.
On June 10, 2010 Kristopher Roe announced (through facebook.com/theataris) that a 7 inch containing two new songs will be released on July 6 on the Gainesville, FL label Paper + Plastick, in time for their summer tour with Gasoline Heart. The 7 inch contains full band recordings of the songs "All Souls' Day" and "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" and was made available November 25, 2010.
In January–February 2011, Kris Roe embarked on a cross country acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
solo tour of the US, mostly playing stripped down acoustic versions of The Ataris songs, as well as the occasional spontaneous cover song. During the band's down time Kristopher still continues to tour the world acoustically. To date Kristopher has embarked on several successful acoustic tours throughout the United States, Australia, Japan, South America, Europe, U.K. and Canada.
In an interview with Kris Roe on February 7, 2011, he has confirmed that 20 songs had been recorded in the sessions for their upcoming album The Graveyard of the Atlantic
The Graveyard of the Atlantic
Graveyard of the Atlantic was supposed to be the sixth studio album by American alternative rock band The Ataris. However, the status of the album and the release date are unknown, as it has been pushed back for over 2 years...
, Likely around twelve of those would make the final record. Some of the leftover tracks will be released over a staggered period of time as 7"'s. bonus tracks and B-sides at the band's own leisure. Kristopher also confirmed that there were still vocals to record for six of those remaining final album tracks, then mixing and mastering will follow. All of the album has been recorded completely to analog tape, using organic sounds and vintage equipment. "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" is now set for release in early 2012.
Band members
Current members- Kristopher Roe – vocals, guitar, percussion, keys (1995–present)
- Bryan Nelson – bass (2008–present)
- Bob Hoag - drums, piano, keys,percussion, backing vocals (2005-2007, 2011-present)
- Thomas Holst - guitar (2011-present)
Former members
- John Collura – guitar, backing vocals, piano (2001–2007)
- Mike DavenportMike DavenportMichael Sean Davenport is a musician. Davenport was bass guitarist, for The Ataris, joining the band in 1995 prior to the album Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits in which Davenport co-wrote the song "In Spite Of the World". He also played bass on the album End is Forever and the EP Look...
– bass (1998–2005) - Chris Knapp – drums, percussion (1998–2005)
- Jacob Dwiggins – drums, percussion (2008–2011)
- Aaron Glass – guitar (2010)
- Chris Swinney – guitar, backing vocals (2008–2010)
- Paul Carabello – guitar, percussion, backing vocals (2005–2007)
- Shane Chikeles – drums, percussion (2005–2007)
- Angus Cooke – cello, percussion (2005–2007)
- Sean Hansen – bass, percussion, backing vocals (2005–2007)
- Marco PeñaMarco PeñaMarco Peña was the guitarist for the American rock band The Ataris from 1999 to 2001. He is credited as having played on their album End Is Forever although it is thought that Kris Roe played all the guitar parts on this record. He was also an early member of former Ataris bassist Mike Davenport's...
– guitar (1998, 1999–2001) - Patrick Riley – guitar (1998)
- Derrick PlourdeDerrick PlourdeDerrick William Plourde was a drummer who was born in Goleta, California. Active between 1989 and his unexpected death in 2005, he was a former member of Lagwagon, Bad Astronaut, Jaws, The Ataris, Mad Caddies, Rich Kids on LSD, and others.Suspected as bipolar and battling drug addiction, Derrick...
– drums, percussion (1996–1997) - Marko DeSantis – bass (1996–1997)
Studio albums
| Album | Record label | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| Anywhere But Here | Kung Fu Records 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 label soon grew to include a roster of notable artists... |
1997, Reissued in 2002 |
| Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits Blue Skies, Broken Hearts... Next 12 Exits is the second-full length album by The Ataris, released on Kung Fu Records on April 13, 1999. Singer/guitarist Kris Roe took the photograph for the album cover.-Track listing:... |
Kung Fu Records 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 label soon grew to include a roster of notable artists... |
1999, Reissued in 2010 |
| End Is Forever End Is Forever End Is Forever is the third full release on Kung-Fu Records by The Ataris in 2001. Along with Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits, End Is Forever is usually considered one of the best albums by The Ataris. The album features a mix of punk and pop punk similar to the bands previous works... |
Kung Fu Records 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 label soon grew to include a roster of notable artists... |
2001 |
| So Long, Astoria So long, astoria So Long, Astoria is the fourth full-length album released by The Ataris on March 4, 2003.This is The Ataris' first album on Columbia Records, having previously been signed to independent punk label Kung Fu Records. It peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified gold status... |
Columbia Records Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company... |
2003 |
| Welcome the Night Welcome the Night Welcome the Night is the fifth studio album by The Ataris, the long delayed follow-up to the previous release So Long, Astoria and marks the departure from melodic punk style to a more indie alternative rock... |
Sanctuary Records Sanctuary Records Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest independent music management company in the world... |
2007 |
| The Graveyard of the Atlantic The Graveyard of the Atlantic Graveyard of the Atlantic was supposed to be the sixth studio album by American alternative rock band The Ataris. However, the status of the album and the release date are unknown, as it has been pushed back for over 2 years... |
Paper + Plastick Paper + Plastick Paper + Plastick is an indie record label, founded by Vinnie Fiorello, best known as the drummer for ska punk band Less Than Jake, but also co-founder of the label Fueled By Ramen.-History:Announced on March 21, 2008, the label launched on May 30, 2008.... |
Unknown |