The Ataris are an American rock band from Anderson, Indiana which formed in 1996 and were popular in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Their songs are catchy and in my opinion still timeless to this day.
The Ataris consists of Kristopher Roe – vocals, rhythm guitar
Mike Woods – bass guitar
Dustin Phillips – drums
Dale Nixon – lead guitar
5. Take Me Back
This is a short and sharp favourite of mine which featured on their debut album ‘Anywhere But Here’, which was released in 1997.
You can feel the raw nature of this song right from the start. The young upstart band give it their all in this pop punk number that focuses on girls, love and relationships. The guitar melody is another fantastic aspect of this track and really forms the foundation of the song.

4. My Reply
The opening guitar riff is classic pop punk and just transports you back to 2003 when this genre was at it’s peak.
It is one of my favourite tracks because of it’s lyrical content and fantastic melody. The lyrics really paint a fantastic picture and works perfectly in the song: “These arms remain stretched out to you. Maybe someday you’ll accept them. Maybe it’s too late to save. A young girl’s heart that’s long stopped beating.” The song focuses on the singer’s reply or plea for his friend to keep going on in spite of difficult times and the hope for recovery.
“If you’ll just hold on for one more second. Just hold on to what you have. If you just hold on, just hold on. If you’ll just hold on for one more second. Just hold on to what you have. If you just hold on, just hold on,” is an emotional but brilliant positive chorus about holding on to the light in difficult situations.

3. So Long Astoria
The guitar work from Nixon and Roe is really impressive and draws the listener in right from the start in this opening track on the same titled album. “So Long Astoria” is typical road trip music looking at past memories with reverence and celebration.
It also looks at how quickly times flies and how one should appreciate the moment.
The drums are pulsating, the lyrics catchy and the overall vibe is energetic – a typical Ataris song that speaks to the heart.

2. St. Dimas High School Football Rules
This is one of my all time favourite tracks from The Ataris which focuses on the singer’s version of the perfect girl which he narrates from a dream he had.
“Last night I had a dream that we went to Disneyland, went on all the rides, didn’t have to wait in line. I drove you to your house where we stared up at the stars. I listened to your heartbeat as I held you in my arms.”
Roe further emphasises his longing for the girl to notice him and see his real qualities with a frank message in the lyrics:
“I only wish that this could be. Just dump your boyfriend and go out with me. I swear I’d treat you like a queen.”
This is the typical pop-punk track with fast beats, a slower melodic bridge and a fantastic sing along chorus.

1. Boys of Summer
This is the quintessential track from The Ataris and the strange thing is, that it is not even their own creation. “Boys of Summer” is a cover song of a Don Henley (The Eagles) track of the 80’s.
The Ataris though made this pop punk cover their own in such a way that many people think that it’s an original.
The guitar riffs in the intro together with the pulsating chorus are one of the highlights in this vibe-filled track. Philips’ drums are absolutely brilliant on this track as he uses every inch of his drum kit to put some kick into the song.
Roe is also brilliant on vocals and adds some fantastic emotion to this number.
The track focuses on love and the yearning for that special person and all the memories that go with it: “I can see you. Your brown skin shining in the sun.
You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby. And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong. After the boys of summer have gone.”