The Ataris were discovered by Vandals bassist Joe Escalante and subsequently signed to his label, Kung Fu Records. Once a full band was assembled by Ataris frontman Kris Roe, the group began a series of increasingly successful albums and tours with many of their musical heroes, including NOFX and Social Distortion. With their 2003 major-label debut SO LONG, ASTORIA the earnest pop-punk rockers reached an even wider audience and had their first major hit with a cover of Don Henley's "Boys of Summer."