After their last release on Kung Fu Records, "End Is Forever", their contract expired, and the band went looking for a new record label. They eventually (somewhat to the surprise and disbelief of their fans) signed to Columbia Records, seen by most as selling out. "Most" apparently includes Marco Pena, the guitarist, who left the band about that time. He was replaced by their guitar tech John Collura. The band deny that Marco's departure was over Columbia or money, but it seems unlikely that the timing was a coincidence.

Since then, the Ataris have released a new record, titled "So Long, Astoria" on Columbia, which seems to be a step backwards to the simpler, more upbeat feel of Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits rather than the heavier, thicker texture of End Is Forever. Their live set seems as compelling as ever, and (at least here in the UK) they're still playing fairly small venues.

Their debut album, ...Anywhere But Here has also been remastered (and on some tracks rerecorded) and rereleased on Kung Fu, presumably to show that there are no hard feelings.