By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
March 28, 2003
Kris Roe isn’t your typical rock star. While most musicians dread talking to the press, Roe says, “I love doing interviews! I never get tired of them.”
The 26-year-old frontman for the punky pop band the Ataris has been chatting up the media quite a bit lately, thanks to the strength of the band’s latest album, “So Long, Astoria.”
Favorite video game: I used to collect Atari games when I was younger but video games aren’t my thing.
The Atari connection: We just needed a band name, and when we were about 14 my friend saw all my games and suggested it.
Anti-technology: I don’t even own a computer. I’ll go to Kinko’s to make a post online. I’m still into analog. I’m the Steve Albini of my own world.
LPs or CDs? LPs! There’s something about hearing a record that hasn’t been autotuned to death.
Midwestern work ethic: When I was 15 and wanted to drop out, my parents weren’t happy. But they said, “If you do this, you have to get a job.”
Favorite Chicago club: I’m a fan of the Fireside Bowl and Metro.
Favorite record store: The Clubhouse, right next to Metro.
Favorite Chicago memory: I met my first long-term relationship there at a show. I was only 16 and she was almost 20. My parents were cool enough to let me take the train into Chicago to see her.
L.A. or N.Y.? Los Angeles doesn’t seem like a real city. My wife and I live in downtown L.A. to get a big-city feel.
Just like Jewel: When I first moved to California, I was homeless living in my van and sleeping on different people’s couches.
Worst memory: Our band got into a really horrible accident a couple years ago. A lady was decapitated.
On being clean: I was in a really reckless phase of my life when I moved to California six years ago. I had never partied in school and was trying to
catch up. I got alcohol poisoning.
On the wagon: I don’t really drink anymore. We all have good solid heads on our shoulders.
On being mistaken for a Brit band: Total compliment.
Favorite movie: I love “After Hours” by Martin Scorsese ’cause everything goes wrong. I also like “Night on Earth” by Jim Jarmusch.
CD you love: Pedro the Lion’s new album, “Control.” The songwriting is impeccable.
Band that means something to you: Fugazi. They kept it on a personal level for their fan base.
The Ataris’ trademark: We always let someone from the audience play guitar on a song.
Songwriters’ lament: Rock music is missing good songwriting. Where’s the Tom Waits on modern rock radio today?
Your songs: I really want our songs to be very descriptive, but also positive in the message we convey.
Band perks: Traveling is great. We’ve toured all over the world four times.
Daughter’s favorite band: Starla loves Jawbreaker.
Censorship: I’m against it, but you have to use common sense, too. I made CDs of some of my favorite bands for my daughter, but I’ll edit out all the
“F” words. She’s only 7.
Best thing about being you: Getting letters from kids saying our songs helped them get through hard times.
Your motto: I’ve done a lot of living in my short life.
The last word on Chicago: Home away from home. I almost moved there a while ago.
