Kris Roe of The Ataris - Performing at Smokin' Aces February 12th

From a fan's point of view, one of the most disappointing things about their favorite artists is losing connection with them. "Don't forget about us when you're famous," friends often tell me, and I'm sure many other artists hear this line often as well. Thankfully, there are artists out there like Kris Roe of The Ataris. Kris actually maintains his own Social Network sites and answers his messages and comments. Yes, that's right, if you're a fan of The Ataris on Facebook, you are definitively talking to Kris himself!

Kris has been on tour lately and, luckily, T-Union Productions booked a show on his tour. He will be performing  on February 12th at Smokin' Aces with Hit the Lip and Angela and The Ex's as his supporting acts.

Kris Roe, who commented on Punknews.org back in October says this regarding what some kids have been saying about his new tour:

I have no interest in pleasing anyone and I write what is true to me. I could care less what anyone expects of me. Punk rock is not a fashion show.

Which gives us an insightful reminder of what Punk Rock is all about... or at least, what it set out to be originally. Roe was responding to fan's crizism of him doing smaller venues and taking a more hands-on approach to his music and tour. He was pointing out their cinicism as these were most likely the same kids who called him a sell-out when The Ataris were doing bigger shows playing songs that were getting airplay.

As rough as this comment may seem, I think it's great hearing artists get real. Think about it, this isn't an agent speaking for Kris Roe or some random Web Developer hired to maintain a social network blog. This was Kris Roe himself saying this... and all he is saying is how he feels and why he feels that way. It's just very "Punk Rock" of him to come out and give everyone a big FU like that. Personally, I'm behind Kris on this one as he was trying to get a message accross, and his message did so. He just wants everyone to know he DGAF.