The Ataris coming to Athens on DIY tour
By Kelly Vormelker, Staff Writer
September 26, 2007 | 5:19 p.m.
Since their conception in 1995, The Ataris have released five studio albums, endured a constant turnover of members, toured the country and in the process, earned a spot as a top-tier punk band in the eyes of critics and fans.
However, The Ataris are now experiencing something new. They released their fifth album, Welcome to the Night, to less-than-mediocre reviews. Backed by a label that did not support the album enough to promote it, The Ataris had to take over things themselves.
Faced with the harsh reality and choice of either giving up and walking away from the band or pushing through in a new way, The Ataris made the decision to tour again. The band decided to embark on a tour of smaller venues, booked entirely through their MySpace page. Local bands are opening at each of these shows, and The Ataris are turning back to some of their older songs to mark this tour as another success.
Now, with The Ataris standing at a crossroads within their long, storied history, lead guitarist John Collura spoke with Speakeasy about the band’s current state.
Speakeasy: What made the band embark on a tour of small venues instead of promoting your most recent record?
John Collura: The label sold the record, and within a month of the release, they did no promotion. We had no money, no video, nothing, the record was just floating out there. They put it in stores and that was it. After that happens there are a couple of things that you can do: you either just quit, put out another record immediately, or do what we did and just tour. We are now doing what we have always done, we’re doing it ourselves.
SE: Then why not try to promote the record, Welcome to the Night, with the tour instead of turning away from it?
John: The last record was not a guitar record, it had a lot of different instrumentation and effects. That’s where we were at the time. We could have tried to put out some terrible pop sounds, but I think everyone would have seen through that as well. It's like, too bad that’s what we made. Sorry we were selfish for trying to be ourselves.
SE: With that said, what can you say for The Ataris’ current state of mind?
John: I think, there were a couple of ways to go. Some bands would probably have quit by now. Whatever said band that is out there right now in this genre, I really wonder what they would do in our situation. I don’t see a lot of bands doing what we are now. We are kind of starting over. We get a lot of people that say, “I used to listen to you guys when I was 15.” Our last record didn’t catch up with those people. They weren't able to get it, because it wasn’t promoted enough.
SE: How did you choose where to go on this tour from all of the places that asked you to come on MySpace?
John: Originally the tour was only supposed to be through a couple of upper-Midwest states and Canada. Then, Kris got carried away and started booking everywhere. But before you knew it we had 40 something dates.
SE: Have you been impressed by the local bands that have opened for you?
John: Yeah, I mean it depends. It's always hit or miss. This is exciting for a local opening band, I’ve been in the same position. It ends up being good for some, terrible for others, but it's fun to do it this way.
SE: Will The Ataris be ready to release a new album in 2008, and what can fans expect on it?
John: The plan is to get it out in 2008. I think that would be smartest. As soon as we get home we will start demo-ing. It is still in the early stages. For now I think it will be less involved with other instrumentation. It will be more akin to our past: more guitar, bass and drum, more aggressive.
SE: The Ataris seem to have a really personable connection with the fans even with the band’s large popularity, with your MySpace page, a fan contest, a small venue tour. How do you keep this balance?
John: Just like everybody else, we are fans of bands too. Kris has been that creepy fan. He is a music nerd in all senses of the word. I would never go to a show, to a town, and not talk to anybody. The funny thing about these shows is that we are mingling, hanging out in the crowd. We are just like everybody else there.
SE: On The Ataris' MySpace page, its says that with this tour you want to “remind ourselves of why we fell in love with punk rock in the first place!” So what is that reason for you?
John: I don’t think that The Ataris are a punk rock band. It is what we listen to. It's not about money, it's not about fame, we're just like, lets play and be super close. I think that punk rock is just more about the spirit, attitude and the lifestyle.
SE: How have The Ataris been effected by a constant turnover of members?
John: Quite honestly, we only got better. The version of band that I met in 1999, when they were still unheard of, was so dysfunctional. We would show up to a show and half the guys had black eyes. They were fighting each other, and I was trying to be peacemaker. It just wasn’t a band until we got these new guys. Everyone can do their part now, they are all creative.
SE: Do you believe that you have reached a long-term combination?
John: You never know. I got Shane, Paul and Sean all together from a band in New York. We are mainly operating on an open-door policy with them. They can be a part of the band if they want. They can be in a video if they want. There is no pressure. We can always move on.
SE: What are some of your long-term goals for The Ataris?
John: I don’t know if I have them. Creating another record and seeing if someone wants to take it, to one day go with a big label, see if we can get our stuff on the radio again. I am really just thinking about getting this record done right now.
Take advantage of the chance that The Ataris have given fans in small towns such as Athens to see them live, close enough to see the sweat beading on Kris Roe’s forehead as he belts out the songs that made fans fall in love with The Ataris in the beginning. Catch the band this Thursday, Sept. 27 at The Union with local bands Six Gallery and El Fabuloso. Doors open at 10 p.m.
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Fans can find more information about each of these bands on their MySpace pages, www.MySpace.com/TheAtaris, www.MySpace.com/SixGallery, www.MySpace.com/lFabuloso.