Shonen Knife

Shonen Knife
少年ナイフ
Members of Shonen Knife pictured in 2008 (L-R: Atsuko Yamano, Naoko Yamano, Etsuko Nakanishi)
Members of Shonen Knife pictured in 2008 (L-R: Atsuko Yamano, Naoko Yamano, Etsuko Nakanishi)
Background information
OriginOsaka, Japan
Genres
Years active1981–present
Labels
MembersNaoko Yamano
Atsuko Yamano
Risa Kawano
Past membersMichie Nakatani
Mana Nishiura
Etsuko Nakanishi
Naru Ishizuka
Emi Morimoto
Ritsuko Taneda
Websitewww.shonenknife.net

Shonen Knife is a Japanese pop-punk band formed in Osaka in 1981.[3] Influenced by 1960s girl groups, pop bands, the Beach Boys, and early punk rock bands such as the Ramones, the band crafts stripped-down songs with simple yet unconventional lyrics sung both in Japanese and English.[4][5]

The band has been credited with making "the international pop underground more international" by "opening it up to bands from Japan".[6] They have also performed as a Ramones tribute band under the name the Osaka Ramones.[7] Guitarist/singer Naoko Yamano is the only member to have remained with the band for its entire history; her sister Atsuko Yamano was a founding member and, after a long hiatus, returned to the band in 2016.[1] They have released 22 studio albums; their most recent album Our Best Place was released in February 2023.[8]

In the words of the Boston Globe, "something oddly spellbinding occurs when deceivingly silly lyrics are sandwiched between a buoyant guitar and a rapid-fire, pop-punk drum kit. Which perhaps explains why the Japanese female alternative rock/pop punk trio Shonen Knife is still singing songs about cookies, sushi, jelly beans, and, of course, banana chips."[6]

  1. ^ a b Vallely, Sasha (July 11, 2017). "Japanese Pop-Punk All-Girl Band Shonen Knife: Writing, Touring and Guitar Gear". Guitar Girl. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  2. ^ Robson, Daniel (December 3, 2021). "40 years of Japanese rockers Shonen Knife: 'Nirvana looked wild – I was so scared!'". The Guardian. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  3. ^ "Shonen Knife – Bio". Shonen Knife. 2007. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  4. ^ Mar, Alex (March 1, 2005). "Shonen Knife Bring Sweets". Rolling Stone. RealNetworks, Inc. Archived from the original on December 18, 2006. Retrieved March 1, 2005.
  5. ^ Conner, Shawn (December 5, 2007). "Shonen Knife stays true to itself". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Murther, Christopher (March 9, 2005). "Shonen Knife Makes Its Point With Positive Punk". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 9, 2005.
  7. ^ Anderson, Rick. "Osaka Ramones: Tribute to the Ramones Review". AllMusic. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SHONEN KNIFE – SWEET CANDY POWER". The Spill Magazine. June 5, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2022.