Concert Review - Shonen Knife, Auckland New Zealand, 2017

Shonen Knife

5th October 2017
Whammy! Bar, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Connor Crawford.

Konnichi wa! It’s Thursday night and Whammy Bar sounds like downtown Tokyo as the entire audience roars “Arigato” to the three Japanese ladies standing before them on stage. Shonen Knife has ridden into town for one of three shows that they are performing around the North Island this month; last night hitting Nirvara Lounge in Hamilton, and Friday seeing the trio take over Meow bar in the capital city.

Looking absolutely resplendent in silver lamé outfits lovingly crafted by one of the Yamano sisters themselves, Shonen Knife were welcomed to the stage with gusto from a capacity crowd ready to be entertained by the long running Japanese Pop Punk trio. Sure they have had some line-up changes over the years since their formation in 1981; but one thing that hasn’t changed is their love for creating often silly little ditties about everything from Rock n Roll to food. Yes, they like food, “I’m so hungry!” drummer Risa Kawano at one point laments; and they like to sing about it too!

Not a band to muck around the trio launched into ‘Pop Tune’ followed quickly by ‘Banana Chips’ and ‘Twist Barbie’, the crowd packing in closer and tighter to the stage as Shonen Knife completely threw themselves into their set with blistering guitar flourishes and hair flicking. Influenced by the likes of The Beach Boys, The Monkees and the granddaddies of punk itself The Ramones, it is easy to see how Shonen Knife arrived at their original and much loved style. In no way, shape or form are they a cheap knock off of any of the aforementioned artists; instead they are an embodiment of many of the elements from the 50’s and 60’s, tied together with the alternative threads of the musical giants that walked before them.

‘Jump Into The New World’ from their latest release Adventure went down a treat with the crowd, the fevered calls of “Arigato” once again echoing through the room. Following ‘Rock n Roll T-Shirt’ lead guitarist Naoko Yamano introduces their “fresh member” Risa Kawano on drums who throughout the night exudes such an infectious amount of energy that you would have to be made of stone to not find yourself grinning from ear to ear and bopping your head along to her beat. “Hello! I am Nesa, nice to meet you – thank you for coming tonight”, even her greeting is full of life!

“Are you having a good time? It’s my first time [here] in twenty years! Let’s have some fun tonight!” bass guitarist and founding member Atsuko Yamano conveys to the audience punching the air with her fist. Fellow founding member Naoko telling the audience that on her last visit here “two years and eight months ago” she didn’t have time to climb the Sky Tower, but this time she did!; The audience applauding her for her efforts.

Introductions done it is back to the music; ‘All You Can Eat’ being turned into a long play version complete with crowd participation and a rather humorous solo performed on a Kazoo by the lovely Atsuko. By the time the rocky little number ‘Sushi Bar Song’ was played, Whammy Bar was heaving, people resorting to balancing on tiptoes to catch a glimpse of these queens of the D.I.Y aesthetic. Eight songs later and an encore to boot and the ladies in silver were done; “Arigato” flying back and forth between the band and the audience, every single face present lit up with a grin a mile wide.

Sayōnara Shonen Knife! Til we meet again, Arigato!

Shonen Knife perform live in Auckland, New Zealand, 2017. Image by Crawford Photography.

Were you there at Whammy! Bar for this awesome night of bubblegum punk brilliance? Or have you seen Shonen Knife perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!