The Ataris are a punk rock band from Anderson, Indiana formed in 1995. The … Read Full Bio ↴The Ataris are a punk rock band from Anderson, Indiana formed in 1995. The band originally consisted of singer/songwriter/guitarist Kris Roe and guitarist Jasin Thomason. Using a 4-Track, they wrote and recorded demos in Kris's bedroom, with a drum machine as the drummer. At this point in time the band was searching for a full-time drummer. The first step in their road to success came when Kris attended a The Vandals concert at Bogart's in Cincinnati, where he passed one of the demo tapes to The Vandals' roadie Fitz. A few weeks later, Kris received a call from Kung Fu Records, who told him they were interested in putting out their record. Though they were initially just searching for a drummer, the band signed to Kung Fu Records anyway. The label sent the tape to various drummers, and eventually the band settled on Derrick Plourde. The band then proceeded to record their debut album "Anywhere But Here", tracking the whole thing in less than a week. In June of 1997, Kris moved from Anderson to Santa Barbara, California. Shortly afterward, Marko 72 joined the band on bass. Jasin Thomason left the band to go back to Indiana, and the group toured as a three-piece from then on. After a short tour in October 1997, the original lineup disbanded. Kris reformed the group with Mike Davenport on bass, Chris Knapp on drums, and Patrick Riley on guitar. From there, they gradually increased in popularity in the underground punk scene, producing the well-acclaimed EP, "Look Forward to Failure", where they collaborated with blink-182's Mark Hoppus on one of the tracks. However, it wasn't until the release of "Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits" in the year 1999 that they started to be much more reputable. This album, along with "Look Forward to Failure", is responsible for the well-known punk rock anthem, "San Dimas High School Football Rules". Today, many of their original fans consider this the best and most hardcore album in The Ataris' catalogue. After this album, Riley left the band, and was replaced with Marco Peña.

Kris Roe also took on the role of managing other punk bands such as Useless ID from Haifa, Israel. They collaborated on a split EP entitled "Let It Burn". Kris also acted as co-producer with Mass Giorgini (whose other production credits include working alongside Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day) for a ]label]Cincinnati, OH-based band called the National Trust in 2004, an album which is as-of-yet unreleased..

After a long delay, the album End Is Forever was released in 2001. This album was a testament to Kris Roe's increasing maturity as a songwriter. Most of the songs, especially "Fast Times at Dropout High", touched on very personal and emotional topics such as losing a sibling because his parents gave his newborn brother away for adoption. Once again the lineup changed, with John Collura replacing Peña on guitar.

On the 24th of June 2002 The Ataris left Kung Fu Records and signed with Columbia Records. Later in that year they recorded their 6th album, "So Long, Astoria", released on March 4th, 2003. This album was responsible for giving them their break into the mainstream audience and generated many successful singles, including "In This Diary" and their cover of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer".

After touring behind the album for most of 2003, the band began writing the follow-up to "So Long, Astoria". Much of 2004 was spent in inactivity. In February of 2004, the band released "Live At The Metro", an album containing a full concert at The Metro in Chicago, as well as acoustic tracks. Mike Davenport and Chris Knapp left the band in early 2005.

Recording of "Welcome the Night" began in February 2005. Along with it came five new members - Sean Hansen filling the bass position, Shane Chickeles on drums, and guitarist Paul Carabello, Angus Cooke (Who played Cello on "End Is Forever"), and Bob Hoag on 3rd guitar, Cello, and Keyboards respectively. The group spent all of spring and summer recording at Seedy Underbelly in Los Angeles. "Welcome the Night" was orginally due out in April or May of 2006 but as of March 2006 the release date was pushed back to July of 2006. The release date of this album was once again been pushed back to possibly early 2007 after The Ataris asked to be released from their contract with Columbia Records, which the label agreed too. The "Welcome the Night" album was released in late February to an eager Ataris fan base. Unfortunately, it was not what they expected. The "Welcome the Night" album took a completely different approach to music. In a drastic deviation from his past traditions of whimsical, nostalgic pop songs, Roe used the new album to pursue a much more mature post-rock/progressive sound, an initiative which many speculate arose from the divorce of his wife and other personal conflicts. While "Welcome the Night" is certainly a great departure from The Ataris' roots, Roe has indicated that their upcoming release will attempt to return to the happy, youthful overtures that older fans have grown accustomed to.

Neilhouse
The Ataris Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It all started that one day
When I had nothing more to say to you
So I ran the other way.
Love is for morons.

But, who's this fucking idiot that I see
Staring right back at me???
Will someone tell me

What's right or wrong anymore?

'Cause everywhere I go
I wonder what I'm searching for.
I think of all the times
I've thought of you and masturbated.

All this pre-teen shit has got me so
Frustrated!
Don't turn around
'Cause there's nothing more for you back

There.
I'd send a postcard,
But it'd say how much that I don't care.
I'm goin' east to say the least

To see The Queers, how true.
I'll be at the Neilhouse
But I'll be without you!
Don't try to tell me you can't have any fun.

You played me for a fucking fool
But now you get to be one, don't go.

Overall Meaning

The Ataris' "Neilhouse" tells the story of a man who is feeling lost, frustrated, and dejected after a failed relationship. He recalls the time when he had nothing more to say to his lover and decided to run away from the situation, believing that love is for "morons." However, as he runs the other way, he comes face to face with his reflection and wonders what's right or wrong anymore. He goes on to describe his feelings of searching for something, but not knowing what it is. He also mentions the times he thought of his ex and masturbated, which he calls "pre-teen shit."

Despite feeling frustrated with his situation, the man decides to travel east to see The Queers, a punk rock band, at Neilhouse. The lyrics suggest that attending the concert is a way to escape the pain of his broken heart. The chorus warns his ex-girlfriend not to follow him or expect him to care if she does. He tells her that she played him, but now she gets to be the fool. The song's raw energy and honest, gritty lyrics make it a standout track in The Ataris' discography.

Line by Line Meaning

It all started that one day
The story begins on a particular day

When I had nothing more to say to you
The singer had reached a point in the relationship where they felt they had nothing left to say to the other person

So I ran the other way.
The singer chose to avoid the situation and escape in the opposite direction

Love is for morons.
The artist expresses their cynical view of love

But, who's this fucking idiot that I see
The artist is surprised at their own behavior and how they are acting like someone they don't want to be

Staring right back at me???
The singer is questioning their own actions and whether they are making the right choices

Will someone tell me
The singer is asking for guidance or advice

What's right or wrong anymore?
The artist is unsure of what is correct or incorrect in their present situation

'Cause everywhere I go
The artist is emphasizing that their current dilemma follows them wherever they are

I wonder what I'm searching for.
The artist is reflecting on their purpose or goal

I think of all the times
The singer recalls past moments

I've thought of you and masturbated.
The artist has engaged in sexual fantasies about the other person

All this pre-teen shit has got me so
The singer is frustrated by the immature behavior and feelings they are experiencing

Frustrated!
The singer is expressing their anger and irritation

Don't turn around
The singer is addressing the other person directly

'Cause there's nothing more for you back there.
The artist does not believe there is anything left for the other person in their past together

I'd send a postcard,
The artist is using humorous language to express their lack of concern

But it'd say how much that I don't care.
The message on the hypothetical postcard would declare the singer's indifference and apathy

I'm goin' east to say the least
The singer is going in a certain direction with a specific destination in mind

To see The Queers, how true.
The artist is going to see a particular band they enjoy

I'll be at the Neilhouse
The artist is giving a location of interest

But I'll be without you!
The artist is declaring that the other person will not be present with them

Don't try to tell me you can't have any fun.
The singer is daring the other person to prove that they cannot enjoy themselves

You played me for a fucking fool
The artist feels that they were deceived and manipulated by the other person

But now you get to be one, don't go.
The singer expresses a feeling of satisfaction that the other person will experience the same kind of treatment they received

Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: Kristopher Lee Roe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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