Words Anthony Moore.
Japan’s Shonen Knife are currently touring their 19th album, Overdrive, in Australia. The first time I saw Shonen Knife live was in 1997 at the Sydney Big Day Out, back when it was at the showgrounds and full of charm and the perfect festival vibe. They didn’t play on the main stage but were up with the likes of Soundgarden, The Offspring, Fear Factory, Supergrass, The Prodigy, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Rocket From The Crypt and Patti Smith as the main drawcards. After seeing them tear through a high energy set whilst charming all of us watching on, we were all instantly hooked and walked away later that night with Shonen Knife as one of the main stand outs of the day.
The band are known for their catchy pop punk hooks and are inspired by ’60s girl groups, pop bands and early punk like The Ramones. Although they’re in the middle of touring we thought we’d throw at least one question to find out what albums inspired their sound! A massive thank you to singer / guitarist Naoko Yamano for her time.
Shonen Knife’s Top 10 Influential Albums:
The Beatles – The Beatles
Buzzcocks – Love Bites
Ramones – Ramones
KISS – Destroyer
Pilot – Pilot
Cheap Trick – Cheap Trick
Black Sabbath – Dio Years and Paranoid
Rainbow – (best hit album) The Best of Rainbow
Judas Priest – British Steel
Nick Lowe – Labour of Lust
Naoko – “I love bands who have pop melody lines. These British Hard Rock bands are pop for me. I also like bands who wear cool stage costumes like KISS. Most inspired band is The Beatles. Their songs are pop and they wore matching costumes!”
Shonen Knife: Site // Facebook // Twitter // Youtube.
TOUR DATES:
Tone Deaf and Valve presents:
SHONEN KNIFE
Step into Overdrive Australia/NZ tour 2015
Tickets onsale now.
SAT 17 JAN Hobart MONA FOMA Faux Mo – special OSAKA RAMONES performance.
Plus FILASTINE, THE ROOBS, VULGARGRAD, NICK THAYER & SEVEN MILLIGRAM and more.
SUN 18 JAN Hobart MONA FOMA
Plus DAN DEACON, THE CLEAN, ZAMMUTO, SENYAWA and more.
WED 21 JAN Perth ASTOR LOUNGE
Plus ZA! (from Spain) & THE COMMUNITY CHEST
Tickets available from www.showticketing.com.au, ph 08 9370 5888, Astor Theatre box office, www.heatseeker.com.au
THUR 22 JAN Adelaide JIVE
Plus ZA! (from Spain)
Tickets on sale from www.moshtix.com.au and the venue.
FRI 23 JAN Brisbane GALLERY OF MODERN ART Future Beauty Up Late
Plus DJ EL NORTO
Tickets from http://qagoma.qtix.com.
SAT 24 JAN Sydney THE FACTORY
Plus STEP PANTHER
Tickets from www.factorytheatre.com.au
SUN 25 JAN Melbourne DING DONG
Plus OUCH MY FACE & ZA! (from Spain)
Tickets from dingdong.oztix.com.au and Box office Mon – Fri, 9am – 5.30pm ph (03) 9514 4599 and Oztix outlets.
New Zealand shows also presented by UTR & bFM
WED 28 JAN NZ Auckland KINGS ARMS
THUR 29 JAN NZ Leigh SAWMILL CAFE
FRI 30 JAN 30 Wellington SAN FRAN
SAT 31 JAN NZ Christchurch CHURCHILLS
Tickets for all NZ shows from www.undertheradar.co.nz