Atari Teenage Riot

ATARI TEENAGE RIOT was founded in spring 1992 because Alec Empire, Hanin Elias and Carl Crack could no longer identify with the way techno was turning into mainstream pop. They wanted to produce something new that recreated the excitement they had felt when first hearing punk, hip-hop or techno.

Alec Empire had previously brought out 20 self- produced EP’s and two albums and Hanin Elias brought out two solo EP’s, each of which stood against conventional categories like house, techno or jungle breakbeats.

Atari Teenage Riot’s first single “Hetzjagd auf Nazis” (Hunt Down The Nazis), was released autumn 1992 on Force Inc. The press reaction was enthusiastic but it also created some hostile reactions, which still survive.

In 1993 Atari Teenage Riot signed a record deal with the UK Company, Phonogram. The band spent most of the first part of the year in London recording and released two EP’s (“Atari Teenage Riot” and “Kids R United”) together with a number of DJ 12 inches.

In the autumn and winter of 1993 the band toured extensively in Europe until by January 1994 it became clear that Phonogram wanted to push the band into the techno rave corner. Shortly thereafter ATARI TEENAGE RIOT left the major and, with the advance for an album that was never released, founded a new label, Digital Hardcore Recordings.

The release in August 1994 of the limited single “Raverbashing” signified the band’s final break with any form of techno. From then on, ATARI TEENAGE RIOT only played with live bands such as Dinosaur Jr. and the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. The band has now played put in over 300 live shows worldwide.

July 1995 saw the release of the first Atari Teenage Riot album “Delete Yourself” and the double-sided EP Speed/Midijunkies on Digital Hardcore Recordings.

Most of 1996 was a mixture of touring and recording culminating at the end of the year with the release of the EP “Sick To Death” and the second album “The Future Of War.”

Japan exploded for the group and the record was released in most countries of the world to plenty of excitement and in some instances scepticism and confusion. At this time there had still been no American release but Chavez’ guitarist and all round good guy (buy their album) Matt Sweeney brought Atari Teenage Riot to the attention of Mike Diamond at Grand Royal.

In late 1996 Grand Royal released a series of 7″ singles by Alec Empire, Atari Teenage Riot, Shizuo and Ec8or and followed this in 1997 with the release of Atari Teenage Riot’s first album in the U.S. “Burn Berlin Burn.” Because the band was new to America this album took the best of “Delete Yourself” and “The Future Of War” and combined them into a definitive encapsulation of their current sound.

Atari Teenage Riot will continue touring and recording and the next album should be out around the late summer of 1998.

Carl Crack: “For us, one thing is certain, whenever ATARI TEENAGE RIOT releases an album there must be no compromise. We have absolute control over everything, the music, the artwork, the videos, the timing of releases. Absolutely everything must be in our hands. At first many people thought we were another stupid dance hype but now every stupid sod knows that this is not the case. We don’t want a party, we want a riot. And we say that loudly because it must be said. We want first to rattle then destroy the system.”

Hanin Elias: “When I hear the charts, I feel I am watching the same episode of Beverly Hills 90210 on television again and again. Always the same things going round and round. I love extreme films and make extreme music. After all, I don’t eat the same foods every day. When I listen to the charts here in Germany, I feel as if all they ever eat is Sauerkraut and potatoes everyday. That is extreme….extremely dull.”