MUSIC: SHONEN KNIFE – Alive In Osaka [and a competition!!]

Shane | 10 May 2018 | Reply

MUSIC: SHONEN KNIFE – Alive In Osaka
Valve Records
April 2018
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
7 ½ /10

The legendary Japanese punk trio are captured live here in all their bouncy, J-pop/Ramones glory in their hometown of Osaka, recorded in December 2017. It’s hard to believe they released their first cassette way back in 1982, but Naoko Yamana remains at the helm,

Warts and all, there appears to be no studio touch-ups after the show: this is the band in all their glory, complete with the odd bum note, but surely that’s not the priority here.

No, Shonen Knife are about effervescence, energy, simplicity and rawness – just lke their heroes The Ramones – and that is captured here in abundance.

The twenty-one short-fast-loud tracks are cherry picked from new and old releases Super Group, Banana Chips, Twist Barbie, Bad Luck Song, New World, Sushi Bar Song, Riding On The Rocket and BBQ Party (and a cover of Nick Lowe’s Cruel To Be Kind) all pogo along with pop punk glee, fuzzed out guitar and group harmonies, making this a fun and cute ride for new and old fans alike.

The awesome dudes at Valve Records have given us a prize pack to offer to one lucky reader – 2 tshirts (size Medium), a tote bag, 2 tour posters AND four Shonen Knife CDs, including this pearler. To enter, like our Facebook page and comment on our page “we love Shonen Knife” and a winner will be announced at random Monday evening, 14 May 2018 1700 AWST!