A pop-punk band based in Santa Barbra, CA. The Ataris are: Kris Roe - vox, guitar, Mike Davenport - bass, vox, Marco Pena - guitar, vox, and Chris Knapp - drums. Kris is originally from Indiana. At a Vandals show in Indiana he gave the band a demo tape. Later Vandals' Joe Escalente owner of Kung-Fu Records called Kris and asked him to do a record for his label. Kris moves to CA formed a band and started making records. I like this band a lot, because I like the topics they address on some songs. Still their music is basically pop-punk which means it isn't technically interesting. The lyrics while good and angsty are pretty simple. Sometimes when I listen to one of their albums I end up wishing for a little more. They still have some room to grow. That being said they still kick ass.

I have their album Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits. Lots of angst-ridden songs. A really cool song off this is San Dimas High School Football Rules.

The latest album End Is Forever follows in the style set by Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits. It is an enjoyable listen. Teenage Riot is good poppy fun and there is still plenty of angst, like Giving Up On Love. Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start is probably my favorite song on the album.

Albums:
End Is Forever -- Kung-Fu Records (2001)
Let It Burn -- Kung-Fu Records (2000)
Blue Skies Broken Hears...Next 12 Exits -- Kung-Fu Records (1999)
Anywhere But Here -- Kung-Fu Records (1997)
EPs
Looking Forward to Failure -- Fat Wreck Chords (1998)
They have also appeared on several Fat Wreck Chords compilations as Fat Mike took a liking to them. Plus some other comps. They also have a bunch of tracks on MP3.com.