They Came From Japan: Shonen Knife Interview

It's been said that when Kurt Cobain saw the Osaka three-piece Shonen Knife, he was transformed into a "hysterical nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert".

It's not hard to see why: despite having explosively 'punk' shows and a DIY ethos, the band don't shy away from catchy melodies either - and are known for their colourful matching costumes and quirky lyrics about simple stuff, like ‘Banana Chips’ and ‘Fruits and Vegetables’.

Over three decades they've toured with Nirvana, played shows with Fugazi and even found themselves on the soundtrack to The Powerpuff Girls. Now the band face their biggest challenge to date: facing off with Artrocker.TV over a mug of peppermint tea...

How are you enjoying the European tour?

Emi & Ritsuko: Very fun!

Naoko: The tour is going very well. Tonight is the last show and I expect all people will get happy from our music. (Laughs). And having a party.

Are there any differences between audiences in the West and Japan?

N: It doesn’t depend on country, but it depends on cities or towns. Some cities, big cities like Tokyo or New York, people are more …elegant? They’re not so wild. People are listening to our music very carefully, or clapping their hands after the song.

If it’s a city like Osaka, people are very energetic. If I say something interesting, the audience answers quickly. Very quickly. They’re dancing and moshing and like it very much.

What about in Europe?

N: People in London are just between the two. People are very energetic and listening to Shonen Knife music very well.

Shonen Knife, in different incarnations, has been playing since 1981. Have you found new fans on the road?

N: It’s mixed. Some people are listening to Shonen Knife for more than 20 years! But some people said this is the first time to come to a Shonen Knife show. I see many young people, too.

Japan can be a very conformist society. Do you ever feel any pressure from your families to get a regular job?

E: They’re very happy! They come to the shows, every time!

The recent Japanese film Fish Story is about a punk song that saves that world. What’s the one song you’d like to hear if the world were about to end?

R: ‘End of the World’! (sings the 1962 Skeeter Davis hit) "Why does the sun go on shining? Why does the sea rush to shore?" It’s an oldie, from the ’60s.

N: The Doobie Brothers, ‘Listen to the Music’. (hums tune) Whoa-oh-whoa, listen to the music!

E: (laughs)

So what’s been playing on the Shonen Knife tour bus?

N: Each of us have our own iPod. (laughs). I’m listening this time to Chicago, the ’70s American band. Heaven and Hell, with Ronnie James Dio from Black Sabbath. And Pilot, a very pop British band from the ’70s.

R: I’m listening to Travis. And the Verve. I like UK rock.

E: I’m listening to Shonen Knife. And the Beatles, because I’m in the UK now! So I feel the atmosphere of England.

How does Shonen Knife relax?

R: I read comics. I like manga a lot.

N: I like to play tennis. If not touring, I play tennis twice a week. Also I like to watch tennis tournaments, too. My favourite’s Rafael Nadal, he’s so cool. And very handsome!

E: Eating. I like eating everything! My favourite is coriander. I love pakuchi! (Japanese for coriander).

Going back to one of your old songs, what are your favourite fruits and vegetables?

N: I like mango. I have a song called ‘I like mango juice, mango juice!’ And vegetables? I like tiny radishes, the red ones.

R: I like tomato! Oh… it’s a fruit? I like celery! With mayonnaise.

E: Is coriander a vegetable? (laughs) Fruit is watermelon. I like every vegetable!

So what’s next for Shonen Knife?

N: Every July we have a show called ‘Knife Knife Party’ because July 12th is the anniversary day of Shonen Knife. We have a Japanese tour every year around that date. Then we might go on a North American tour in September/October. And maybe we might go to some Asian countries. Then we’d like to record a new album next year.

Are you writing new songs?

N: Not yet. Super Group was just released in the UK. And in Japan we have one more new album called Free Time. It’s a Japanese remixed version. We’ve just finished recording the English remix version, just before this tour. So the Free Time English version will come out in the near future.

You’ve been playing music for almost thirty years. How long will Shonen Knife last?

N: As long as we can!

Super Group is out now on Damnably.