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Shonen Knife / 少年ナイフ


(Taneda Ritsuko, Morimoto Emi, Yamano Naoko)

Formed in Osaka, Japan in 1981, Shonen Knife is an all-female pop-punk group.

Current members: Yamano Naoko (original member - lead vocals, guitar, etc.), Taneda Ritsuko (bass, vocals), Morimoto Emi (drums, vocals)
Former members: Nakatani Michie (original member - bass, vocals, keyboard), Yamano Atsuko (original member - drums, vocals, bass), Nishiura Mana (touring drummer), Nakanishi Etsuko (drums, backing vocals)


Official website: http://www.shonenknife.net/
Blogs: http://www.shonenknife.net/blog/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ShonenKnife (Naoko)
http://www.twitter.com/SK_Ritsuko (Ritsuko)
http://www.twitter.com/SK_Atsuko (Atsuko)

I figured with hardcore SK fans erilaz, TU, and myself here a Shonen Knife thread might actually see some activity. Though I debated whether to put them in here or the J-Classics forum. I'll work on adding more info and maybe a discography to the OP later.

For those unfamiliar with The Knife, here are a few performances and recent videos:

(Note that all videos are from the 2006-2010 formation of the group featuring Naoko on guitar, Ritsuko on bass, and Etsuko on drums. Emi is a fairly new addition having only just replaced Etsuko in the Spring/Summer of 2010)

Rock in Japan Festival 2006 (songs performed: "Twist Barbie", "Explosion!", "Giant Kitty"):


"Top of the World" (a cover of the 1973 original by The Carpenters) live performance from 09.01.16 on Music Japan:


"Super Group" PV:


"Perfect Freedom" PV:

NEWS!

As mentioned in the thread's title, 2011 marks Shonen Knife's 30th year anniversary!

The UK release of Free Time will hit in July featuring all new album artwork:


The UK also sees the release of a digital single on May 23rd featuring "Perfect Freedom", "P.Y.O.", and "Evil Birds" with cover art by Naoko's daughter, Emma:

That likeness of Emi is uncanny!

(I didn't even know she had a daughter. After digging around a bit it turns out she was responsible for the cover art to Genki Shock! as well)


Currently touring Japan, Shonen Knife has announced UK tour dates in August and September and will then be touring North America shortly after!

More news from their US label, Good Charamel Records:

Good Charamel Records wrote:Speaking of the mighty Knife, we will have a new release from Shonen Knife to celebrate their 30th Anniversary with a brand new release entitled "Osaka Ramones" available THIS SUMMER to coincide with their upcoming touring schedule !!!!!

To spruce up the new thread, here's my autographed Tortoise Brand Pot Cleaner:

Hooray, you found the thread!

Very impressive autograph piece!

More News!

Ritsuko revealed on Twitter today that the upcoming Osaka Ramones release will include songs that contain lead vocals performed by herself as well as Emi! Ritsuko has performed lead vocals on Shonen Knife songs before in concert, of course, but I believe this will be her first time on a SK studio track! And the first time we will get to hear Emi perform lead vocals for Shonen Knife in any capacity!

And according to my crude translation of this article that Ritsuko linked to on Twitter, the Osaka Ramones release will in fact be a Ramones cover album as its title and its prior usage by Shonen Knife would suggest. The article also states that the cover album will be released on 7/20. Any guesses or hopes for what Ramones songs will be covered?

^ Hard to say. SK have recorded at least one Ramones cover in the past: their version of "I Wanna Be Sedated" appears as a bonus track on the 1995 Japanese CD reissue of Burning Farm.

Ever heard of ROMANES? They were a Japanese female trio who released an album of Ramones covers in 2006.

[youtube]dMaGQnpjN-s[/youtube]

That was pretty terrible. Yet strangely compelling. Their cover of "Do You Wanna Dance" is a little less grating. I'll keep an eye out for their CD.


Knife news!

Shonen Knife have contributed a cover of "Black Leather" to Take It Or Leave It, a Runaways tribute album! The release date for the album is June 28th. Full track list and preorder details here - http://www.mainmanrecords.com/MMR040.html

^ Awesome! I love the Runaways!

And again, it's not the Knife's first time covering them. "Cherry Bomb" is on the Japanese CD re-release of Pretty Little Baka Guy.

Does this mean that a guest appearance on a Rezillos tribute album is next? (pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease)

Osaka Ramones cover art and full track list!



Look familiar?
US release date: 2011.7.19
Japan release date: 2011.7.20

1. Blitzkrieg Bop (電撃バップ)
2. Rock 'N' Roll High School
3. We Want the Airwaves
4. She's the One
5. Rockaway Beach
6. Sheena Is a Punk Rocker (シーナはパンク・ロッカー)
7. Scattergun
8. Psycho Therapy
9. The KKK Took My Baby Away
10. We're a Happy Family
11. Chinese Rock
12. Beat on the Brat
13. Pinhead

Dates for Shonen Knife's North American Tour 2011 have been announced! (You'll find me in the front row at the San Francisco show.)

New Music Monkey wrote:October

20- Toronto, ONT- Horseshoe Tavern

21- Montreal- QC- II Motore

22- Brooklyn, NY- Public Assembly (CMJ)

24- Baltimore, MD- Otto Bar

25- Durham, NC- The Pinhook

26- Atlanta, GA- Masquerade

27- Mobile, AL- Alabama Music Box

28- Houston, TX- GroundHall

29- Austin, TX- Red 7

November

1- Los Angeles, CA- TBA

2- San Diego, CA – Casbah

3- Long Beach, CA – Alex’s Bar

4- San Francisco, CA- Bottom of the Hill

5- Portland, OR- Dante’s

7- Vancouver, BC- Biltmore Cabaret

8- Seattle, WA- Tractor Tavern

11- Minneapolis, MN- First Ave.

12- Chicago, IL- Empty Bottle

13- Kalamazoo, MI- The Strutt

14- Indianpolis, IN- Radio, Radio

17- Pittsburgh, PA- 31st Pub

18- Brooklyn, NY- The Bellhouse

19- Buffalo, NY- Mohawk Palace


Additional dates to be added.

http://www.newmusicmonkey.com/?p=4533