By: Danielle Bailey
Introduce the band!

We are five young honkies from Berkeley, CA. We have Ryan Perras on vox, guitar, and classic good looks. Peter Niven on lead guitar, 2nd vox, and boyish good looks. Brendan Frye on Tenor Sax, and unstoppable energy. Matt Diamant on bass rumble and computer hacking. John Anderson on drums and great hair.
Punk Globe: How long have you guys been playing?
THE ATOM AGE: We formed the band in 2008 and are just about to hit the two year mark. The idea has been around longer, but we all got together about 2 yrs ago.
Punk Globe: What is 21st Century Rock ‘N’ Roll?
THE ATOM AGE: 21st Century Rock ‘N’ Roll is a term we coined describing our wild sound. It combines old school Rock ‘N’ Roll from the 50s and early 60s with the influences of a few bands from the 90s. We deliver it at extreme volume levels and with extreme energy. You may think we are ripping off Green Day, but we played with Billie Joe’s son’s band and he stole the term from us to make 21st Century Breakdown. True fuckin story.
Punk Globe: Your debut album “Kill Surf City” came out a few months ago. How has the reception been?
THE ATOM AGE: It’s been going really well. We have started touring hard on it and have been on the road 5 months already in 2010. It’s definitely getting kids into the band slowly but surely. Randy from Solidarity Recordings has also been great with pushing it and has helped a lot.
Punk Globe: You guys have started touring a lot. Whats life on the road like for the Atom Age?
THE ATOM AGE: It’s pretty boring honestly. We usually wake up as late as possible and drive for X number of hours to our next destination. If we get there early we usually go into a book store of some kind and steal their wi-fi. We are fast food connoisseurs and take great pleasure in finding and eating the greatest American invention. We are always on the lookout for cool war related museums. Other than that, we see our random friends in random places and drive all around this giant country way too much.
Punk Globe: How is it working with labels in the age of free music and digital downloads?
THE ATOM AGE: It’s actually a really good thing for us. When we started doing stuff on labels we weren't sure that it was going to do anything because of the state of music, but we have been surprised how much labels can still help bands out. Solidarity and Asian Man have both been great, and have gotten us national distribution, tons of press, and lent us records when we don’t have money. I really don’t see how people caring about your band and working towards a common goal can be a bad thing.
Punk Globe: What are some of your biggest influences?
THE ATOM AGE: Almost anything from the 50s and early 60s is good in our book. Its hard to rival the songwriting and energy those bands brought to the table. Bands like The Sonics and MC5 were punk before people knew what punk was and really inspire us. We worship newer bands like The Clash, Rocket From The Crypt, and The Bronx. Anything that’s catchy, high energy, and original makes us moist.
Punk Globe: What is it like being part of the East Bay music scene?
THE ATOM AGE: The East Bay is cool and obviously has a lot of important musical history. There are a lot of young kids going to shows here that are really into finding new bands and just into having fun. I would say SF has much more of the jaded cool element than the East Bay does. Every show seems to have a really good, fun, attitude around here. We are grateful to be a part of it.
Punk Globe: What’s with all the monkeys?
THE ATOM AGE: The Primate is a symbol of Rock ‘N’ Roll to us. It’s a loud, intense, semi intelligent creature, who is always trying to have a good time. It also reminds us of the primal element of humans and how the best Rock ‘N’ Roll is from the gut and appeals to the less evolved more ape-like part of our brains. Plus chimps look cool in space suits and are courageous explorers.
Punk Globe: How do you feel about the state of punk today?
THE ATOM AGE: Depressed. What sucks the most is the lack of variety in punk these days. Every band is so similar. It really is no surprise that less and less people are into this type of music, it’s our own fault. Drinking beer and writing on message boards about the same 4 bands that sound like Against Me doesn’t help anybody or attract new kids. No one has any roots any more. When a band’s influences don’t go past 1997 you know you're in trouble.
Punk Globe: What are your plans for the future?
THE ATOM AGE: Touring. Lots and lots of touring. We are also gonna try to do a few 7 inches in the next year and get some more wax slabs out there.
Punk Globe: Any last words?
THE ATOM AGE: Thank you very much for the interview and check out our wild Rock ‘N’ Roll show and our debut record “Kill Surf City”. Kiss the ring baby.