The Ataris prove to be more than just a game

By Jina Tedmori
Daily Forty-Niner

While most people are familiar with Atari, the popular ë80s video game system, many do not know about The Ataris. However that may be changing if four Santa Barbara residents get their way.

The Ataris is a four-member, pop-punk band based in Santa Barbara that has been together for over two years.

"The Ataris are the ones to watch as to where punk is going," said Santa Barbara disc jockey from KJEE Spencer Fischer. "Without alienating their fan base, they have incorporated a number of different styles from emo to pop, while still delivering one of the most enjoyable live shows."

Three of the members, Mike Davenport (Bass), Marco Pena (Guitar) and Chris "Kid" Knapp (Drums) are originally from the Santa Barbara area.

However the story of the brainchild of the band, lead singer Kris Roe, is almost like a Cinderella story. After a Vandals show he gave the band a tape of some of his songs that he had written and recorded in his bedroom. Vandals' founder and owner of Kung Fu Records Joe Escalante called a few weeks later and asked if Roe would do a record for his label.

Roe made the long journey out to California from his original hometown in Indiana and succeeded in putting a band together which included drummer Derrik Plourde (formerly of the band Lagwagon).

Upon the release of The Ataris first album Anywhere But Here (produced by Warren Fitzgerald, the Vandals' guitarist) they were invited to tour with some of their favorite bands.

The Ataris have toured with bands such as Blink 182, MXPX, Good Riddance, Ten-Foot Pole, Unwritten Law and No Use For a Name.

Through the non-stop touring they have formed a loyal fan base.

"I have been a fan of the punk music scene for a long time, I love The Ataris and have their Blue Skies album," said Shannon Erdhaus, Cal State Long Beach business marketing senior. "But, I have never had the opportunity to see them live, I tried to at this last Palladium show but it was sold out."

The Ataris are currently on tour with The Vandals and Lagwagon promoting the new album The End Is Forever. Their most recent Southern California show was at the Palladium in Hollywood on Nov. 10.

The sold-out show had the crowd going wild with fans moshing to a lot of never-been-heard songs from the new album scheduled to be released next year.

"Everyone should go and buy our new album on Feb. 14," Roe said. "I hope if you buy it for your loved one, you don't break up."

For the last song, "San Dimas High School Rules," Roe threw himself into the audience and was crowd surfing. Security tried to calm the audience, without much success. As he floated across, something flew into the air and landed on the stage. Roe had thrown his wallet; he must know from experience that stuff that goes in the pit usually does not come out. Thrusting himself back on to the stage, without his shoes, The Ataris had completed their show.

Now touring the world, The Ataris are moving even higher up in the scene. Retiring their old beat-up brown tour van, that has taken them across the country and back many times, they now have a real driver and bus to travel in.

"It's nice to have a professional driver when we are in places like France because usually Kris will drive us and I can't sleep for fear of my life," Marco said. "He thinks he's a good driver but he's not, especially in France, where he has to drive on the opposite side of the road." Playing in different countries has a different feel than America, according to Kid, as the fans have some unusual ways of reacting to the music.

"It felt so weird to play in Japan because the fans watching the show make this weird noise it is hard to describe," Kid said. "It was so loud I could hear it over my bass drum. All of audience together would jump and grunt to create this over whelming noise at first I though there was something wrong with my equipment."

However touring does have its downside, Davenport said.

"I like touring," he said. "The only downfall is the limited amount of time I get to spend at home in Santa Barbara, it seems like when I am home I have so much that need to get done and then its time to leave again."

The Ataris play one more Southern California date Saturday before their big European tour at Chain Reaction in Anaheim.

Ataris.com

The Ataris, featuring Kris Roe (vocals), Mike Davenport (bass), Marco Peña (guitar) and Chris Knapp (drums), left to right, play in Anaheim Friday.