article by Alex Fisher

24th May - Scala, London

Through the hustle and bustle of Kings Cross on a Monday evening I made my way into the warren that calls itself Scala.  After going through some doors, up some stairs, through a bar, down a corridor, up some more stairs, through some more doors, and down some more stairs, I was finally there!

My anticipation built as I watched the support acts; one of which was a screaming 3 piece, whose guitarist wore a cross between a gas/gimp mask.  I was ready to see the Japanese punk-pop veterans who transformed Kurt Cobain into, and I quote, 'a hysterical nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert'.  That's an understatement - I was EXCITED!!

Jumping on stage in their matching 60s style dresses this pyramid of power instantly had the audience in the palm of their hand.  It could be said that this was especially the case for the troop of older, slightly balding men at the front who empathised with Kurt Cobain; I think a couple of them almost feinted!  That said, who can blame them?  With almost 30 years under their belt Shonen Knife really show how to make punk cute.  Yes.  That's punk and cute in the same band.  You can hear their influences such as The Ramones and Buzzcocks in their sparse do-it-yourself sound.  And they somehow manage to retain their status as serious musicians, whilst singing songs with cutesy lyrics about banana chips and super groups.   An unexpected winning combination.  May the band who proclaim to be "oo-oo-ultra-eccentric-super-cult-punk-pop-band-shonen-knife!" continue their success for another 30 years! 

In a nutshell

Japan Link?  Three Japanese ladies from Osaka

What?  The real life Power Puff Girls in Japanese punk-pop form!

Next Londongig?  TBC

More info? Shonen Knife MySpace