Japanese pop-punk trio Shonen Knife have been spreading positivity through music since 1981. Rolling into London at the tail end of a long UK tour, they are on highly entertaining form. With its old rock club vibes, The Garage is the perfect club venue for their signature blend of 60s girl beat, surf rock and punk-pop.
While they never quite broke the mainstream, back home or abroad — the love for Shonen Knife’s music runs deep through alternative music scenes across the world. And rightly so.
How many bands could stay so energetic and upbeat after four decades? Although the trio has had a fair few line up changes over the decades, lead singer and guitarist Noako Yamano has been there from the start. She’s also joined by her sister and fellow original member Atsuko on bass, and drummer Risa Kawano.
When Shonen Knife take to the stage, it’s clear they’re here for a good time. They arrive beaming, throwing rock salutes and wearing matching Mondrian-inspired outfits, hand made by Atsuko. Along with many songs about food and animals, matching girl-band outfits have always been part of their DIY aesthetic
Tonight’s gig has a celebratory, greatest hits feel. It’s a rifftastic ride throughout their 44 year back catalogue — with a good mix of old faves and songs from their more recent records. Tunes like 2016’s ‘Jump Into The New World’ and early song ‘Twist Barbie’ get the crowd dancing and singing along and I’m absolutely here for the kitschy banger ‘I Am A Cat’.
It’s a joy filled night, watching a band be unapologetically happy and rocking out without irony. Midway through the set, the band introduce themselves and drummer Risa shouts: “I’m so happy to be back in London, city of rock. We’re happy they’re back too. London audiences can have a frosty rep, but tonight, our jaded punk hearts have been well and truly melted by Shonen Knife. Especially when tunes like the Thin Lizzy-inflected ‘Bad Luck Song’ reference the London Underground.
Shonen Knife are greeted by an enthusiastic mix of die-hard and newer fans all gathered for a night of singing, dancing and infectious melodies. While their music has never been overtly political — there’s something quietly subversive about getting punks to smile and punch the air while singing along with tunes like ‘Banana Chips’. Seeing middle aged punks and Gen Zers alike coming together in cross-generational appreciation is testament to the band’s enduring appeal.
That said, it’s never ideal to hear men shouting loudly and interrupting women when they’re performing. The band patiently endure repeated shouts for old tunes while trying to play songs from their latest album 2023’s ‘Our Best Place’ including the giddy, Ramones- esque ode to a utopian life on a desert island where “There’s no no king, there is no queen, there is no prime minister” — sounds alright to me.
They end on a banging rendition of The Carpenters ‘Top of the World’ — one the best cover versions of all time. Whether music is overtly political or not, at its best, it brings us together. Spending an evening in Shonen Knife’s candy-coloured, shouty chorused orbit is a balm for the soul.
A good-sized crowd arrived early doors to see the support act Slag. According to the Brighton five-piece’s Facebook page, they are ‘The Spice Girls of Math Rock’. Quite a claim. But singer and guitarist Amelie’s vocals are more reminiscent of Wolf Alice, particularly on the single ‘Ripped’. Their sound is tight, and bass heavy with some math rock and even a touch of shoe gaze. A few tech issues and nerves make for some awkward lulls, which is a shame. But their genre hopping sound, memorable tunes and Amelie’s powerful vocals are worth watching out for.