R.I.P. Mike Atta from the Middle Class

Published Apr 21, 2014

Mike Atta, founding guitarist of the seminal California hardcore band the Middle Class , has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He died on Sunday (April 20) and is survived by his wife Pam and son Van.Forming in Santa Ana in 1977, the Middle Class are considered by many to be one of the most influential punk bands of all time, helping define the sound of early American hardcore. Their 1978 EPis possibly the first-ever American hardcore record, neck in neck with Black Flag'sAfter breaking up in 1982, the band reformed for some live shows earlier this decade.On their Facebook page , the band shared the following statement:Atta was diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer in 2010. It spread to his lungs in 2012. In 2013, a number of benefit concerts took place featuring the likes of the Adolescents, Mike Watt, 45 Grave and others.Last year, Burger Records released, a star-studded compilation to raise funds for Atta. The compilation also included the Middle Class's lost track "Body and Soul," which can be streamed below.