30th Anniversary Tour
plus special guests SO COWWhat about this new album then?
‘Super Group’ is the 14th album from Shonen Knife, released in the UK on DAMNABLY. The CD features exclusive artwork and bonus live tracks recorded from their first UK show in 15 years at the Brixton Windmill in 2009.
“When I finally got to see them live, I was transformed into a hysterical nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert.” Kurt Cobain Who are Shonen Knife?
The groundbreaking all-female Japanese, pop-punk trio formed in Osaka in 1981, when Naoko first heard late ‘70’s punk-pop like The Ramones.Inspired, the band crafted their own idiosyncratic songs, fashioned brightly coloured outfits and DIY albums. In 1985, K Records released ‘Burning Farm’ in the US. Deals with Sub Pop and various Majors followed. 1989 saw the crème of the alt. rock scene (including Sonic Youth, L7 and Redd Kross) covering their favourite Shonen Knife songs on the tribute album ‘Every Band Has A Shonen Knife Who Loves Them’. They toured with Nirvana (on the ‘Nevermind’ tour), The Breeders and as part of Lollapalooza. They recorded sessions for John Peel and appeared on MTV’s ‘Beavis and Butthead’. Shonen Knife were the first Japanese act to break through to the west, and they remain one of the most influential. Almost 30 years on, a few line- up changes and 15 albums later, they’re still as super-punk-pop rockin and fun as ever. The band will play All Tomorrow’s Parties curated by Matt Groening in May, as well as a UK/Europe Tour.
What does it sound like?
Infectious, kooky songs on a variety of offbeat topics. From the inevitable ego clashes in a ‘super group’, the misnomer of immortality (‘Pyramid Power’) to the joys of outdoor cooking (‘BBQ Party’). From sugary-pop to uber-heavy rock that sounds like Motorhead in Wonka Land, Super Group is full of youthful exuberance, yet delves into the mysteries of life from deer parks to the nature of stardom. It’s deep, it’s light, it’s super-mental pop-punk ROCK. Totally original and outrageously loveable.
What do you need to know about this record?
After original member Atsuko retired from the band, ‘Super Group’ marks the return of Shonen Knife to a power trio, with bassist Ritsuko Taneda joining as an official member. The concept of the album is to “go back to the starting point of ROCK” and Naoko’s recent obsession with 70’s UK metal. The result is hyper catchy, cool songs that Jonathan Richman and Black Sabbath would not be ashamed of. Plus they cover Wings’ Jet!-pure fandom, pure fundom in a way that only Shonen Knife can do.
Japanese Legends
