Ataris was brought to South Africa for tour by Authentic Ideas I had the Pleasure of Interviewing them :
So why the name Ataris?
Well Kris really enjoyed playing video games when he was younger so when he was trying to come up with a name “The Ataris” came up. It was going to be a temporary name but it looks like it stuck.
What do you think the hi-light will be in South Africa?
We are all just really excited to experience something new. Playing shows is always amazing so that will be great. Just coming to South Africa will be awesome not to mention seeing penguins, sharks, dolphins and hopefully some other wildlife. We also can’t wait to make new friends we love meeting our fans and talking with them.
How did the whole South African Tour come about?
We were talking about how we would really love to play somewhere in Africa. Finally one day we decided we could probably make it happen so we started doing some searching on the internet. We hooked up with CrashCarBurn.
Have you spoken or been in contact with any of the bands you are to play with on the South African part of your world tour? And whom?
I personally haven’t but I think that Chris has. We have been trying to update the people of South Africa with video blogs every so often. Chris and I also helped pick the bands for the support shows.
Have any of the band members been here in the sunny land before…. ?
None of us have been to the Continent of Africa at all. But we are very excited to get there.
It’s noted that your influences are “The Replacements”, “Samiam”, “Jawbreaker”, “Archers Of Loaf”, “Superchunk”, “Sludgeworth”, “Ned's Atomic Dustbin”, “Kent”, “ALL”, “Descendents”,” Swervedriver”, “MBV”; yet there is an element of if one could call it “folk” or even “story telling” elements in your music so are there other influences that you could mention?
Kris listens to a lot of different music. He lyrics definitely have a real “Singer/Songwriter” feel to them. He listens to a lot of Lucero, Wilco, Drag the River and stuff in that vein.
There are so many genre’s within the music industry at current how would describe “pop punk” and where you fit in?
I really like to categorize everything as rock instead of punk, pop punk, hardcore, screamo, etc…But if a had to I would say we are a pretty straight forward rock band with punk feel. I don’t really know if there are any bands in the mainstream that I could refer to as pop punk.
How do you as a band feel about accidental “hit singles” and having to record in between spaces or rather when there is time? {Variable question two within one}
I think that every band that wants to make music their career wants a single so whether be accidental or intentional it doesn’t really matter. Sure you want the song that you pick as the single to become a hit but that doesn’t always happen. I don’t think having a hit single will really ever be a bad thing. As far as recording goes it is really nice to be able to block out the time and do it all at once. Sometimes you just can’t do that so you have to do the best you can to make everything as cohesive as possible when doing it at different times.
Here’s a question that many bands often wonder about, how does one keep a band going for so long, any secret key ingredient?
A band can only last as long as they can hold their fans attention. Writing strong songs that people can generally relate to helps a ton.
When on the road and you have time off what do you as a band do?
We spend a lot of time on the internet and watching tv. We enjoy each other’s company so we will sit and talk too. We aren’t one of those bands that don’t talk to each other when riding in the van. Sometimes we never stop. We enjoy eating dinner as a band it is kind of like our family time.
What is your favourite song to perform; ooh let me guess all of them ?
Mine would probably be So, Long Astoria or Takeoffs and Landings…But I don’t know maybe Your Boyfriend Sucks? I do like playing them all! I can’t help it. We really just love to play!
Right last question
Who was the best band thus far in your career that you have performed with?
Wow, there have been so many I just don’t know.
Conducted For www.undergroundpress.co.za
