Shonen Knife
14th November 2019
Whammy! Bar, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review and photography by Sarah Kidd.
While more than a few Aucklanders were hobnobbing with local celebrities on the VNZMA red carpet at Spark Arena last night, nestled in the heart of Whammy! Bar was a celebration just as lively as Japans own Shonen Knife returned to the stage that just a little over two years ago they shimmied across in silver lamé pantsuits.
Opening the evening were none other than Contenders from Hamilton, anyone who considers themselves to have taste who has not heard or seen of this band yet needing to rectify this immediately by catching them live, purchasing their knock out recently released self-titled EP, or frankly just doing both. While the New Zealand music scene is positively overflowing with artists of the highest calibre there are some that just stand out from the pack, and Contenders are one of them.
While the band themselves are a cohesive unit, the cogs turning in unison to create tracks that are perfectly proportioned punches to the jawline – Liam Clancy on bass and Cam Reid on drums providing the mechanics upon which all else hinges – it is vocalist Cilla McIntosh that is the ultimate machinist. With a simultaneous detachment and precision intensity, McIntosh contorts herself around the music, the stage and at times the audience, tracks such as ‘Attract Repel’ seeing those in the front row flail their arms in solidarity; ‘Dead Brain Rot’ a number 1 hit on the bFM charts sporting a quickfire tempo and ballsy guitar work.
Having made its debut at The Others Way festival, ‘The Heat’ was a much-welcomed addition to last night’s set list, because if climate change isn’t critically relevant right now then what the hell is; ‘Skate Assault’ following it up by throwing down a Dead Kennedys vibe with a Chelsea grin. Contenders are a band that will hit that sweet spot time and time again, while subtlety evolving their sound like shapeshifters.
Just as the air began to thicken like soup, fans packing into every last available inch of space, Shonen Knife made their celebrated entry, each member holding a pink banner above their heads advertising their latest album Sweet Candy Power. Taking their places, the traditional show welcome of ‘Konnichiwa’ filled the room, sisters Naoko and Atsuko Yamano on lead and bass guitar, performing their synchronised dual head banging in the middle of the room to the delight of the fans.
It’s hard not to be infatuated with Shonen Knife, their sheer vibrancy coupled with Ramones inspired punk rock simplicity an intoxicating mix, that is then lightly dusted with powdered sugar pop for that extra kick. It is this nifty little recipe that has seen Shonen Knife remain popular over their almost forty-year career. Formed in Osaka in 1981 they are much like bands such as Watusi Zombie, Guitar Wolf and King Brothers in the fact that they have an underground cult following that will see them sell out venues wherever they go, their fan base – much like the one in Whammy! last night – consisting of both the newly recruited and old school fans.
Following the D.I.Y aesthetic of many of the cult status groups, Shonen Knife were once again sporting matching outfits, their look last night channelling a far more 60’s mod feel with its bold colour blocking; Naoko informing all that her sister Atsuko made them, the former fashion designer certainly having an eye for what works. It’s been four years since Atsuko re-joined the group as bassist following a seven-year hiatus, Shonen Knife once more seeming whole again with Atsuko returned to the fold.
Songs about a blue-eyed girl with blonde hair and long legs danced across the stage, ‘Twist Barbie’ from 1983’s Burning Farm seeing the entire front row bop in time to the beat, before Naoko advised them all that they would now be playing tracks from their latest album; ‘Dizzy’ seeing Atsuko lead the crowd into a clapping pattern that was perfection personified. These are the official queens of the good vibes, their appeal one that sees them wrap the fans around their little finger.
Continuing on with their latest work, pocket rocket Risa Kawano on drums delivered ‘Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches’ with such tenacity that there wasn’t a human being in the room who didn’t have a grin plastered across their face, Risa’s comments about being hungry entertaining all with its innocent honesty. Edible items are something that features heavily in the Shonen Knife discography and why not? Food and music two things that can bring people of any nationality together in harmony.
Diving straight back into their back catalogue ‘Public Bath’ from 1986’s Pretty Little Baka Guy spoke of the girls love for both mineral water and ice-cream, the singalong appeal of ‘Capybara’ permeating the room. There are so few bands that can have an entire venue move as one, Shonen Knifes ability to do so testament to their appeal. Delving into their latest album once more, and ‘My Independent Country’ saw a dramatic shift in both tone and delivery; the track inspired by 70’s British Hard Rock introducing a riff similar to that of Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train’. Far heavier and certainly more guitar driven, the Yamano sisters pulled out all the stops as they raised their horns in the air, planted their feet and put their backs into it. The harder edge suiting them well and an avenue one hopes they explore further.
By now the word ‘Arigato’ is one that both the band and the attendees are using freely, the mutual appreciation of each other genuinely heart-warming and creating an air of jovial tranquillity despite the increasing humidity within the room. Finishing their set with ‘Buttercup (I’m A Super Girl)’ the trio had barely left the stage before the demands for an encore began. Returning sporting their own tour t-shirts the ever-amusing Naoko proceeded to present a tongue in cheek hard sell of the aforementioned shirts before ‘Sushi Bar’ and ‘Antonio Baka Guy’ finished the evening with a flourish that only Shonen Knife could.
Like flavour filled popping candy, Shonen Knife will leave your heart bursting with a saccharine high.
Were you there at Whammy! Bar for this brilliant pop-punk gig? Or have you seen Shonen Knife perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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