Dr. Tara appears on The Pieces podcast with Bimini
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Kristopher Roe is the lead singer and guitarist for the American punk band The Ataris, known for his impactful songwriting and consistent touring.
After leaving Columbia Records, The Ataris announced they had joined with Sanctuary Records and RED Distribution to release their fifth album.
The Ataris signed with Columbia Records, a major label, to release their fourth full-length album, 'So Long, Astoria.'
The Ataris signed to Kung Fu Records, an independent label owned by Joe Escalante of The Vandals, and released their debut album.
The Ataris released their 1998 EP 'Look Forward to Failure' on the San Francisco punk label Fat Wreck Chords.
In 2010, the two-track single 'All Souls' Day & the Graveyard of the Atlantic' was released under the Paper + Plastick label.
Kristopher Roe discussed The Ataris' song "In This Diary" on Sound in the Signals, mentioning Landon Barker's clothing collaboration with 'The Weekend and Cheap Monday'.
Kristopher Roe was born on January 12, 1977, in Anderson, Indiana. He established The Ataris in 1995 as a home studio project, recording demos using a 4-track and a drum machine. A pivotal moment occurred in 1996 when a demo tape reached Joe Escalante of The Vandals and owner of Kung Fu Records. This led to The Ataris signing with Kung Fu Records, despite Roe initially only seeking a drummer. The band’s debut album, ‘Anywhere but Here,’ was recorded in less than a week and released on April 29, 1997. Following this, Kristopher relocated to Santa Barbara, California. The band experienced significant lineup changes over the years, with Roe remaining the sole original member, demonstrating his dedication and consistent vision for the group.
Under Kristopher Roe’s leadership, The Ataris steadily gained recognition within the underground rock scene through extensive touring and a DIY approach. Their 1998 EP ‘Look Forward to Failure’ on Fat Wreck Chords and the 1999 album ‘Blue Skies, Broken Hearts…Next 12 Exits’ garnered critical acclaim for its personal, storytelling lyrics. A major turning point occurred in 2003 when The Ataris signed with Columbia Records, releasing ‘So Long, Astoria.’ This album propelled the band into mainstream success with hit singles like ‘In This Diary’ and their cover of Don Henley’s ‘The Boys of Summer,’ the latter becoming their highest-charting single, reaching No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. ‘So Long, Astoria’ sold over 700,000 copies and was certified gold.
After ‘So Long, Astoria,’ Kristopher continued to lead The Ataris through further evolution, including signing with Sanctuary Records and releasing ‘Welcome the Night’ in 2007. This album debuted at number 85 on the Billboard charts. Throughout his career, Roe’s songwriting has consistently drawn inspiration from his personal life, including his family and experiences. He has remained active in recording and touring, consistently working on new music, and collaborating with former bandmates for reunion shows, maintaining the band’s presence in the music industry into the present day. Roe is currently in the studio with producer and former drummer Bob Hoag, working on a new album slated for release in March 2026.
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