Why We Still Need Atari Teenage Riot

In the age of e-girls and e-boys, TikTok anarchists, leftist meme communities, and Hyperpop, it might be time that we revisit some of our aesthetic predecessors. 

One of those predecessors was in the soundtrack of every 90s hacker, cybercrime movie, and on the shirts of no less than three people at 100 gecs’ last Bay Area show. Atari Teenage Riot has become an industrial and hardcore techno household name and they fully deserve their underground popularity. 

Beginning in the early 90s in Berlin, the German band’s music has always been deeply connected to the collective members’ staunch leftist political beliefs. In a Germany that was so divided by the Berlin Wall, Atari Teenage Riot had much to say that earlier 80s punk bands just hadn’t. Perhaps the failings that they saw in the German political scene—the perceived centrism and conformity of the left, the frightening rise of nationalism and conservatism on the right—could only be adequately addressed through music. 

Because these movements didn’t grow out of thin air, they were informed not only by the politics of the era, but by different cultural scenes and how better to combat a nationalist, conservative culture than by creating an anarchistic left-wing one—and combat it they did. One of their very first singles, a Breakbeat mass of futuristic computer noises and punk-like scream shouting, was entitled “Hetzjagd auf Nazis,” (in English: “Hunting for Nazis”) a clear message to the nationalists of the time. 

Though in many cases, they were directly speaking to German political crises, Atari Teenage Riot was actually incredibly successful here in the States. 

Discovered by the Beastie Boys and signed to an American label, they toured with a few like-minded bands, among them Rage Against the Machine and Nine Inch Nails. But, ATR was always unique. While their sound was similar to Nine Inch Nails and the American industrial scene, it was also deeply linked to Berlin techno. More than their explicit political nature, I think this is what made them such underground icons, especially in the U.S. In the 90s.

While many listeners then and today respected their commitment to anti-racism, anti-fascism, and youth-based anarchism that made the scene so powerful and compelling, their music added a new layer. It continues to be incredibly unique and the basis for a lot of breakcore made today. With a mixture of Acid House, Jungle, Breakbeat, 80s punk, speed metal, and politically explicit lyrics, ATR electronically combined the remnants of a youth culture into one messy, loud techno computer-age package digital hardcore. 

Well past the 90s, we now live in an era where most kids were brought up with computers or smartphones, and the rise of Western fascism is growing rapidly. The States today have more and more neo-Nazis, virulent racists, and anti-immigration policies. 

We also have an increasing number of bands and artists who are engaging with the cyber-culture of the early 2000s (Rebecca Black, who I honestly never expected to make a comeback just dropped a single with Dorian Electra). 

I don’t think it’s at all surprising that teens who are just as post-ironically nostalgic for Korn, Deftones, and the early 90s Hot Topic as they are truly into Deli Girls, Death Grips, and Machine Girl, have rediscovered (or never left behind) their love for ATR. 

Honestly, Atari Teenage Riot is comparable to the beloved breakcore heroes of today, and though they were maybe less representative of the scene’s nonbinary and queer population, the influence and visibility of truly politically leftist, musically pioneering Black and Syrian artists, is something that shifted a predominantly White sound.  

I don’t know how long it will be before people can stand around in basements listening to a new generation of digital hardcore artists, but as we listen and wait for the future, it might be good to remember the hardcore leftists of the past. 

We still live in an era where songs like “Start The Riot!,” “Delete Yourself,” and most unfortunately “Hetzjagd auf Nazis” are still relevant. We haven’t moved past the rising conservatism in the West or the increasing centrism on the left, so we shouldn’t move past ATR.

Whether it’s anti-racism, anti-facism and political radicalism, good music, or just to feel like a super cool hacker in a low-budget 90s movie (we’ve all been there), take a peek at some old ATR concert footage, or listen to some singles or albums.

Maybe by the time shows are back for good, you’ll be one of the enlightened paying homage to the forefathers of digital hardcore, Atari Teenage Riot.   

Written by Xia Jimenez