Shonen Knife pay tribute to hard rock

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This was published 6 years ago

Shonen Knife pay tribute to hard rock

By Jane Rocca
Updated

Japanese bubblegum pop trio Shonen Knife ditch their punk voice for a dose of `70s classic rock on their 20th studio album, Adventure.

Formed 35 years ago by Naoko Yamano, 55, the Osaka powerhouse tune into metal riffs this time around in a tribute to the kings who ruled the genre, including Motorhead, Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy.

Shonen Knife say they love their way of life, including the touring.

Shonen Knife say they love their way of life, including the touring.

Shonen Knife might look all syrupy `60s pop from the outside, but there's plenty of grunt that comes with their wild disposition. It was thanks to bands like Ramones​ and the Buzzcocks that inspired these once bored teenagers to pick up an instrument in the first place.

By the time the '90s rolled around, Shonen Knife became US college radio darlings after a British touring spot with Nirvana.

Thanks to Kurt Cobain's adoration and support they caught the attention of labels like Sub Pop and Virgin Records and became part of the '90s scene that included Redd Kross and Sonic Youth.

According to Yamano, being offered a tour with Nirvana was nerve-racking.

"We heard they were really wild and we were really nervous," Yamano says.

"I did hesitate at first, but of course they turned out to be such gentlemen and, if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have received the mainstream exposure that we did."

Paying tribute to the hard rock genre is nothing new for Shonen Knife as this album follows 2014's Overdrive, which saw a similar concept unfold.

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"There was a time when an album release like this wouldn't have been so popular," Yamano says. "But the demand for classic rock is very now. Regardless of fashion and trends though, I love `70s classic rock for its energy."

The band have toured Australia four times in three decades and say their loyal fan base makes the trek worthwhile.

"Japanese people don't really like our style of music. They want melody and mainstream pop."

Yamano formed the band with her sister and bass player Atsuko, who quit the band in 2006, moved to Los Angeles and started a family. But she returned to the fold a few years ago to make a comeback with Adventure. They also hired 20-year-old drummer Risa to crank the teen angst.

"We've gotten better with age and I still wake up wanting to do this, which is something I am very proud of," Yamano says.

"We don't do this for fame or fortune. It's a passion, a way of life and we just love touring."

Shonen Knife perform at the NGV in Melbourne at 6pm on Friday, September 22; Karova Lounge in Ballarat on September 23; Oxford Art Factory in Sydney on September 27; and Corner Hotel in Melbourne on October 1.

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