Rock and punk musicians are often known for pushing boundaries to promote their music, and The Ataris recently took that to a new level. The Indiana punk band, famous for their cover of “The Boys of Summer,” released a vinyl single that is considered an illegal record in eight U.S. states.
In May 2025, The Ataris returned with “Car Song,” their first new release in 15 years. Alongside the track came a unique 7-inch vinyl edition, which included a portion of frontman Kris Roe’s late father’s ashes pressed directly into the record. The music video, inspired by Breaking Bad, added to the single’s dramatic presentation.
Proceeds from the vinyl benefited Shatterproof, a nonprofit focused on addiction recovery, honoring Roe’s father, who passed away in 2014 due to alcoholism-related issues. Despite—or perhaps because of—its unusual content, the vinyl sold out quickly. However, it became an illegal record in eight states due to laws banning the sale of human remains.
A note on the sales page clearly stated that the vinyl could not be shipped to Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. In those states, distributing human ashes—even in a memorial product—is prohibited, making the limited edition an illegal record for residents there. Orders to those addresses would be canceled automatically.
Still, the band’s motivation was deeply personal. Roe explained that his father had always been a dedicated supporter of the band, engaging with fans, filming shows, and being a part of their community. Pressing his father’s ashes into vinyl felt like a fitting tribute—merging memory with music in a lasting way.
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