News: Shonen Knife Announce New Album and UK Tour

Including Date At The Joiners In Southampton

Japanese cult pop punk trio Shonen Knife celebrate their 35th Anniversary this year with a brand new album Adventure (out on 1 April via Damnably). They will be hitting the road for their most extensive UK and Eire tour in April, which includes a slot at the Stewart Lee curated All Tomorrowís Parties Festival.

Formed in Osaka by guitarist and chief songwriter Naoko in 1981, Japanís Shonen Knife rose from humble DIY beginnings crafting their own idiosyncratic songs, and fashioning their own brightly coloured outfits, to sharing a stage with Nirvana on their Nevermind tour, trailblazing a path for women in music and inspiring legions of bands.

For this, their 19th album, original drummer Atsuko returns to play bass, joining Naoko (vocals + guitar) and relative newcomer Risa on drums, whilst some bass parts were provided by regular member Ritsuko (who is on maternity leave) and Naru, who became an official member from a support band.

Adventure sees the band delving deeper into the 70s rock leanings that they explored on their last album Overdrive. As Naoko explains; “passing through the 70s, the music genre which was born as rock ‘n roll developed to ROCK. This album is like that.” Musical references include Thin Lizzy, Motorhead and Deep Purple, but of course, this is Shonen Knife, so there is still an excitable pop element to the music. There are catchy hooks and 60s girl-group inspired harmonies along the way but the album is firmly rooted in 70s Rock.

Opener “Jump into the New World” is one of the poppiest tracks on the record, about new drummer Risa moving to Osaka from her hometown of Oita. Whereas, in “Rock ‘n Roll” t-shirt, the 70s rock groove really kicks in, with heavy, chugging power chords and fun lyrics about every rockerís favourite item of clothing. “Hawaii” is one of the mellower songs on the album and inevitably includes surf sounds. “Tasmanian Devil” was written after Shonen Knife played a festival in Tasmania, Australia last year. It is about the native animals, the Tasmanian Devils and is the first Shonen Knife song to feature dual lead vocals, which are shared between Naoko and Atsuko.

The album continues the Shonen Knife tradition of singing about food. ìWasabiî is a Motorhead-esque ode to Japan’s favourite condiment and “Green Tangerine” is about Kabosu tangerines which are tiny and green and used like a lemon, they are a local speciality of Risaís hometown Oita. “Cotton Candy Clouds” is based on one of Naokoís favourite motifs, cotton candy. It plays homage to 70s era Beatles with a colourful arrangement and layered vocal harmonies.

Despite their 35 years as a band, Shonen Knife still sound as fresh and vital as they ever did. They have maintained their rightful place in the ever-changing indie rock scene as one of the most influential and beloved of Japanese rock exports. They recorded sessions for John Peel and appeared on MTVís “Beavis and Butthead”. In 2010 the band played Matt Groeningís curated ATP (and play the Stewart Lee curated festival in 2016), and have toured the UK, Europe, North America, China & Taiwan.
Live, they are tight with machine-precision, punching out fast, highly exciting sets of Punk, Pop, Rock & Metal hits, all coated with their own distinctively quirky and life-affirming charm. As they fast approach their biggest European tour to date, Shonen Knife’s joy and invention shows no sign of fading. As Naoko says, “Let’s Rock!”

April
14 – Manchester, Ruby Lounge
15 – ATP 2.00, Stewart Lee
16 – Birmingham, Oobleck
17 – London, Dingwalls
19 – Falmouth, Princess Pavilion
20 – Southampton, Joiners
21 – Brighton, The Haunt
22 – Guildford, Boileroom
23 – Norwich, Arts Centre
24 – Colchester, Arts Centre
26 – Leeds, Brudenell
27 – Gateshead, Sage 2
28 – Edinburgh, Summerhall
29 – Glasgow, CCA
30 – Dublin, Whelans

May
1 – Belfast, CQAF
2 – Cork, Crane Lane
4 – Liverpool, Arts Club
5 – Nottingham, Maze
6 – Leicester, Musician
7 – Bedford, Esquires
8 – Bristol, Fleece

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