The Ataris story reads like a punk-rock fairy tale. It starts with a teenager named Kris Roe living in boring mid-western town (Anderson, Indiana) who goes to a Vandals show and gives the band a tape. A few weeks later, he gets a call from Vandals bassist--and owner of Kung Fu Records--Joe Escalante asking him to record for his label. So the guy moves to California and puts a band together with drummer Derrick Plourde (ex-Lagwagon). Then he makes a record called "Anywhere But Here," which is produced by Vandals' guitarist Warren Fitzgerald and gets invited to tour with some of his favorite bands. Then the lucky bugger puts together a solid new line-up, becomes Fat Mike from NOFX's favorite new band and then releases an EP Look Forward to Failure, which is produced by members of the Descendents. The saga continues with Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits, produced by Lagwagon singer/producer Joey Cape for Kung Fu Records--which has sold an average of over 600 copies per week worldwide since its April 1999 release, and still growing. Not bad... - Columbia Records