The Ataris’ ‘Car Song’ Includes Singer’s Dad’s Ashes Mixed in Vinyl

The Ataris are honoring the late father of lead singer Kris Roe with a new 7-inch single that includes Roe’s father’s ashes mixed in to the vinyl.

“Car Song,” now available in limited edition 7-inch vinyl, was written in honor of Roe’s father, who passed away in 2014 due to complications related to alcoholism. In his honor, a portion of the proceeds from the “Car Song” 7-inch release will go to Shatterproof, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending addiction.

“I’ve always been so lucky to have my dad’s unwavering support for The Ataris. He wasn’t just a fan — he was a fixture of our community. He would often interact with fans on the band’s message board, film live sets, and share them with everyone—everyone knew him. He was a huge part of the band’s journey,” Roe said in a press release. “When I read about a service that would press a loved one’s ashes into vinyl, it instantly hit me. What better way to honor my dad than making him a permanent part of the music he always loved? It felt like the most meaningful tribute I could give him.”

“Car Song” is the first new release in 15 years for the Ataris, who also released a Breaking Bad-inspired video for the track that pays tribute to Walter White, Saul Goodman and the cinematic universe of one of modern television’s most celebrated franchises.

The video comes amid the band’s continued reunion around the original lineup for their 2003 So Long, Astoria album, which began late last year and includes Roe, bassist Mike Davenport, guitarist John Collura, and drummer Chris Knapp. So Long, Astoria was released through Columbia Records in 2003 and sold over 700,000 copies in the US, making it the sole record from The Ataris’ to be certified gold.

“Car Song” is the first release from The Ataris’ yet-to-be-announced album and comes after Roe purchased the white Volvo featured in the final season of Breaking Bad. Roe reportedly purchased the Volvo from a friend who worked as an assistant director on the show and later found a receipt in the car signed by actor Bryan Cranston in the glovebox.

“I like to say that Walter White’s Volvo was the catalyst for ‘Car Song’ and the new album,” Roe said in a press release announcing the single. “It all just came together from there, and now, here we are.”

Watch the full video for “Car Song” below: