Wikipedia (September 2011) - Shonen Knife, which transliterates as Shonen Naifu, literally "Boy Knife," is an all-female Japanese pop-punk band formed in Osaka, Japan, in 1981. Heavily influenced by 1960s girl groups, pop bands, The Beach Boys, and early punk rock acts, such as the Ramones, the trio crafts stripped-down songs expressing infectious melodies and simplistic, exuberant lyrics sung both in Japanese and English.
Despite their pop-oriented nature, the trio maintains a distinctly underground garage rock sound rooted in edgy instrumentation and D.I.Y. aesthetics, which over the course of their long career has earned them a solid, worldwide cult following and made avid fans out of seminal '90s alternative rock acts such as Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Redd Kross. The band has been credited with making "the international pop underground more international" by "opening it up to bands from Japan". They have also performed as a Ramones tribute band under the name The Osaka Ramones.
Shonen Knife came back in 2006 with the all new Genki Shock! In their 25th anniversary as a group, Shonen Knife stay true to their "Ramones Of Japan" punk pop roots. Fans call this sharper edged release their best in years. The US version has been re-recorded in English, it features a new sequence, and it has a new version of the album art with English lyrics in the liner notes.
"The word 'Genki' means cheerful, high-spirited, vigorous or spry in Japanese. I’d like you to be 'Genki' with this album. Also the word 'Genki' is similar to the Japanese word 'Denki'. 'Denki Shock' means 'Electric Shock'. If you listen to Shonen Knife, you will get a cheerful shock. Have fun!"
- Naoko Yamano
Tracks:
- Introduction
- S-P-A-M
- Jeans Blue
- Anime Phenomenon
- Spider House
- My Magic Glasses
- The Queen Of Darkness
- Forest Walk
- A World Atlas
- Broccoli Man
- Rock Society
- Under My Pillow
- Giant Kitty
The Japanese trio Shonen Knife made major fans out of Alt-rock's elite including Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Redd Kross, among many others. They built a solid worldwide cult following and have spawned new fans with their tours including Lollapalooza, the release of a Shonen Knife tribute CD, as well as new material. Much of Shonen Knife's earlier material has been unavailable for quite some time and because of the pent up demand and to support their upcoming 2005 tour, Oglio Records has decided to re-release their first four discs at a very attractive price.
Shonen Knife "712" Tracks:
- Shonen Knife
- Lazybone
- Diet Run
- Blue Oyster Cult
- Rain
- The Luck Of The Irish
- My Favorite Town
- Faith Healer
- Redd Kross
- White Flag
- Superstar
- Expo '90
- Fruit Loop Dreams
- The Moon World
- Baggs
- Lazybone (Live Bonus Track)
- Blue Oyster Cult (Live Bonus Track)
Shonen Knife "Yama-no Attchan" Tracks:
- An Angel Has Come
- Cycling Is Fun
- Elmar Elevator
- Banana Leaf
- Chinese Song
- Flying Jelly Attack
- Cannibal Papaya
- Dali's Sunflower
- Insect Collector
- Bye Bye
- Flying Jelly Attack (Live Bonus Track)
- Insect Collector (Live Bonus Track)
Shonen Knife "Burning Farm" Tracks:
- Miracles
- Parallel Woman
- Twist Barbie
- Elephant Pao Pao
- Tortoise Brand Pot Cleaner's Theme
- Animal Song
- A Day At The Factory
- Burning Farm
- Parrot Polynesia
- Watchin' Girl
- Banana Fish
- Watchin' Girl (Live Bonus Track)
- Twist Barbie (Live Bonus Track)
Shonen Knife "Pretty Little Baka Guy" Tracks: