Interview with Mike from The Ataris and Win Tickets to See Them at The Shelter!

There are some bands that definitely take you back to a certain time and place. The Ataris are one of those bands for many twenty somethings and people in their early thirties. When I brought this band up to friends over the past week, the first thing everyone recognized them for was their cover of Don Henley's "The Boys Of Summer". This popular remake was on the band's album So Long, Astoria that was released back in 2003. That album gained the band notoriety, world wide tours, headlining spots on Warped Tour, and a gold record.

It has been about 10 years since So Long, Astoria was first released. The Ataris have put out a handful of albums, had lineup changes and side projects. But now the lineup from this album that made them what they are has reunited to do another tour. They're heading across the country and playing So Long, Astoria in full and they are making a stop in Detroit this Sunday. We got a chance to chat with bass guitarist Mike Davenport from The Ataris before they head to town this weekend. Here's what he had to say:

HID- So, it has been a couple weeks since you kicked off your So Long, Astoria tour. How's it going so far?
Mike- "Amazing really. We are having such a great time and the band is playing so well. Everyone [is] singing all of our songs. We really couldn't have expected this outcome. So fucking cool."

HID- Whose idea was it to do this tour and play So Long, Astoria in full?

Mike- "That was all Kris. He wanted our show on this tour to be special and a challenge to us musically. Playing the album beginning to end has been both."

HID- It has been a while since this lineup toured together. How is it being on the road together again?
Mike- "So fun. We were a band for 11 years and when we called it quits, no doubt we needed a break, but playing together again is amazing. I love and miss my brothers and I am so thankful to have another chance to play with them."

HID- When a friend and I were talking about your band today, one of the memories that stuck out in our head was seeing you at Warped Tour back in the early 2000s. That was right around the time when this album came out. Are there any shows or tour stories that stick out in your head from around that time?
Mike- "'In This Diary' was written about the 2001 Warped Tour. A lot of the lyrics from that song are actual events from that Warped Tour. The best times of our lives."

HID- Any plans to record a new album in the near future?
Mike- "Kris has been having a hard time finishing a new Ataris album so we are gonna try to move him back to Santa Barbara to work with my Versus The World producer Thom Flowers and get a new Ataris album out next year. "

HID- What can fans expect at the Detroit show on the 23rd?
Mike- "The best Ataris show that we have ever presented. We are really focused on our instruments and performances. Do not miss it."

HID- Any favorite places that you need to make a stop at while in Detroit?Mike- "I love me sum Sweetwater Tavern around the corner from St Andrews. That's where you can find me before the show. "

The Ataris will be hitting he stage at The Shelter with their friends Authority Zero, Drag The River and Gasoline Heart. Tickets are $27 in advance and can be purchased online here. But, thanks to our friends at Live Nation we are giving away 2 pairs of tickets to this fun show! To enter to win, just email your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with The Ataris in the subject line. You only have about 24 hours to enter though! We will draw our winners on Friday morning. So don't wait! Get your name in the hat now and maybe you'll save yourself some cash and still get to go back to 2003, but for free!

~C