Interview: Kris Roe, The Ataris

“This is not all entertainment.”

It’s been seven years since The Ataris last came to Australia, and nearly twenty years since the release of their first album, Anywhere But Here.

The man behind the band – Kris Roe – wants longtime fans to know that their return to Oz will give them “what they want” (“a night of fun”, even) but also stories about heartbreak and grief.

Concert-goers would expect nothing less.

We caught up with Kris ahead of the tour – which kicks off June 3 in Brisbane and heads to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide before wrapping up in Perth on June 12 – to talk about how his music has changed over the years, the dark inspiration for their “Boys of Summer” cover and why he’s not interested in “pretty boys” like Justin Bieber. Plus, an update on their new album (and some bonus EPs).