The Boys of Summer

The Zoo Crew is spinning "The Boys of Summer" by The Ataris from their 2003 album So Long, Astoria, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks vibing to its nostalgic pop-punk energy. This song, a cover of Don Henley’s 1984 classic, wasn’t meant to be the album’s big hit. Frontman Kris Roe shared in interviews that Columbia Records warned the band against including it, fearing it’d be pushed as a single. But when KROQ and other stations started playing it, it skyrocketed, hitting No. 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart and No. 20 on the Hot 100. Roe tweaked one lyric, swapping a Deadhead reference for a Black Flag sticker, giving it a punk edge that fit the band’s vibe. The music video, directed by Steven Murashige, was originally planned for another track, “My Reply,” but was adapted to tell “the story of a darker summer,” with a girl letting go of her summer memories, as Roe explained.

Another cool tidbit comes from Roe’s reflections on the song’s inclusion. He told Four Lane Road Media that it was chosen out of nostalgia, as it meshed with the album’s themes of looking back on youth. Fans on The Ataris’ Facebook went wild when the band posted about the 20th anniversary of So Long, Astoria in 2023, sharing memories of blasting “The Boys of Summer” during road trips and summer nights. The band even re-recorded it in 2020, releasing it on a 4-song EP with a live version and a rare radio edit, which Roe noted on Bandcamp as a nod to its lasting impact. At a 2023 anniversary show at The Wiltern, Roe introduced the song with stories of its unexpected rise, as captured by The Indy Review, making it a highlight for the crowd.

The Ataris got their start in Anderson, Indiana, in 1996, when Kris Roe, a teen with a pile of Atari game cartridges (hence the band’s name), began recording demos in his bedroom using a 4-track and a drum machine. Roe, the only constant member through the years, teamed up with guitarist Jasin Thomason initially. Their big break came when Roe handed a demo to a roadie for The Vandals at a Cincinnati show, landing them a deal with Kung Fu Records. By 1997, they’d released their debut, Anywhere But Here, and built a cult following in the late-’90s pop-punk scene. Their 1999 album Blue Skies, Broken Hearts... Next 12 Exits, produced by Lagwagon’s Joey Cape, cemented their place alongside bands like Blink-182 and New Found Glory. After signing with Columbia, So Long, Astoria in 2003 became their biggest success, going gold with over 700,000 copies sold.

You can keep up with The Ataris on their official site at lnk.bio/theataris, where they share merch and music updates. They’re active on Facebook, with over 128,000 followers, posting about tours and anniversaries. On Instagram, they share throwback photos and gig clips, while their X account keeps fans in the loop on new releases and shows. For fan communities, check out the The Ataris Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and other devotees swap stories, trade merch, and reminisce about the band’s pop-punk glory days. Another fan hub is Last.fm, where listeners track their favorite tracks and join discussions about the band’s discography.