The Ataris story reads like a punk-rock fairytale: teenager lives in boring midwestern town (Indiana); spends all his time writing and recording songs in his room; goes to a Vandals show and gives the band a tape; weeks later he gets a call from Vandals founder/owner of Kung-Fu Records, Joe Escalante asking to do a record for his label; moves to California and puts band together with drummer Derrick Plourde (Ex-Lagwagon); makes record "Anywhere but here" (Produced by Vandals' guitarist Warren Fitzgerald); gets invited to tour with some of his favorite bands (see below); puts together solid new line-up; becomes Fat Mike's (NoFX) favorite new band, who then releases their EP, "Look Forward to Failure" (Fat Wreck Chords), produced by members of the Decendents; the saga continues with, "Blue Skies, Broken Hearts... Next 12 Exits" produced by Lagwagon singer/producer, Joey Cape; Currently they are planning a short European tour. Taken from www.ataris.com, the Official Ataris web page.
Coming soon: Biographies on every band member of The Ataris. Mini-interviews will eventually be done with each member.
Name: John Collura
Hometown: Orange County, New York
When did you first start playing music?
Took piano lessons when i was 6 years old.How did you meet and find yourself in the Ataris?
I met the ataris on my first tour with my old band, Beefcake in August of 1999--i started playing with them on the 7th show of the 2001 Warped Tour.When did you get into music?
I first picked up a guitar when i was 17, but never seriously played until late 1996--then in early 1997 i started Beefcake with singer/guitarist Phil Thomas.Who were your first influences?
First influences of "punk" where operation ivy, green day, NOFX and fugazi.What cds are spinning in your cd player right now?
Recently i have been listening to Sick of it All(Yours Truly)--Bigwig(Invitation to Tragedy)--NUFAN(Live in a Dive)--Jimmy Eat World(Bleed American)--the new Tenacious D record.Which cds are all time favorites?
All time favorite record is really difficult--i will list a few that i love: NOFX(Punk in Drublic)--Descendents(Milo Goes to College)--Weezer(the blue record)--The Bouncing Souls(The Bouncing Souls).What does your gear consist of?
I have a Mesa Dual Rectifier and a Rectifier Cabinet--Korg rack tuner and a Furman Power Source--i play a Paul Reed Smith Custom CE 24 and I have a Gibson SG.If you could add any new piece to your gear, what would it be?
I would probably add another 4/12 mesa cabinet--but i intend to buy another PRS guitar and a 1960's reissue Les Paul Classic. plus I wouldn't mind trying some sort of processor for the fun of it!!Where would you like to see The Ataris in two years?
I just hope we are happy individually in 2 years--i never cared about being the most popular or the richest man alive so hopefully in 2 years we can still create really good music and play in front of people that want to listen to it.Do you have any particular shows that stand out from the rest?
The first real club show i played with the Ataris in America was rad--that was at the Glass House in Pomona. playing the Brixton Academy in England was really cool--also the warped show in Salt Lake was pretty crazy.Do you have any favorite places/cities to play in?
I can't wait to play in NYC with the ataris, i never was able to play Irving or any large venues in the city with my other band, so that will be very exciting for me. i haven't played many club shows with the ataris around the country--i only played warped--so to be fair i will just name a few of the places that i have played that were rad: Portland Oregon, Seattle, Salt Lake, Denver, San Francisco, Laramie WY, Pomona....i loved the East Coast Warped shows and i also remember the Milwaukee warp show, cause that was like playing in a club and it was awesome.