Naoko of Shonen Knife tells us about the band

Hello, how are you all today, and where are you?

Naoko: I'm in Osaka now. It's a nice weather. Ritsuko is in Osaka, too and Emi is in Kyoto.

The new record Pop Tunes is now out. How did the approach differ between making this album and your early albums also, did you still have the same burning ambition to make music this time around as you did in the Eighties?

Our new album "Pop Tune" became a very pop album as the title. In these 3 albums, Super Group, Free Time and Osaka Ramones, tend to like Punk but for this time I wanted to make a pop album. I never look back and am always fresh. I don't have conscious that I have burning ambition but I'm just having fun. I have a poor memory and forgot the past.

You have toured in many different countries and lots of different venues. Do you have a favourite/most memorable venue to play at overseas? How about in Japan?

Hmm... I love outdoor music festivals. I always enjoy them. We've have performed at many big rock festivals in the 90's and we played at Fuji Rock Festival in Japan last year. It was fun, too.

Is there a city/venue that you have not yet played in that you would like to?

I like to play in South America, more cities in Italy, France and summer festivals in Europe. 

Wiki has you first gig as March 14, 1982 at Studio One (a club in Osaka).What is the most striking memory from that gig and your last gig (which was where?)

Our original drummer Atsuko had a fever a little at the first show but the show went well. I don't remember so much. The latest gig? We played 12 songs for Tokyo FM show. It was live show and we were so nervous but the gig was fantastic. We had very good reaction from listeners. 

If you were introducing Brits to the Japanese music scene today, what are the top 5 things you'd tell them to listen to?

I don't listen to J-pop and Japanese major music. They are very different from western music. My favourites so far are Convex Level and Extruders.

When you are on tour, you blog a lot about the food you eat. What is one of your most memorable meals you've had on tour recently?

German Schnitzerl and strawberry chocolate.

When you were at school/college, what where the hot records that were exchanged at the time.

 I like The Beatles at any time.

You obviously have great affection for the Ramones. (Osaka Ramones) Any other bands that you may give the same recorded attention to in the future?

Judas Priest

Your UK tour kicks off at the Cargo in London on 1st Oct … What can your Euro fans look forward too on this tour?

We'll play songs from Pop Tune and greatest hits, too. Let's have fun! We will rock you!!!

You have experienced two major devastating earthquakes, the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 and Tohoku Earthquake last year. What do you think the role of artists like yourselves is after such a crisis?

We should just keep on rocking. I don't like unnatural, artificial message songs. If we keep playing happy songs, people can be happy. It's  the most important. I don't want to compel people.

kaigai tour kara Osakani kaettekitatokiniwa, ichbanni shitaikotowa? Tabetai monowa?
 
Sleeping in my futon and eating Takoyaki.

Questions to Naoko, (vocals & guitar) from Pete & Kana

Shonen Knife 2012
01 Oct – Cargo, London (Osaka Ramones)
02 Oct – Ruby Lounge, Manchester
03 Oct – Glee Club, Nottingham
04 Oct – Cluny, Newcastle
05 Oct – Oran Mor, Glasgow
07 Oct – The Musician, Leicester
08 Oct – Glee Club, Birmingham
09 Oct – Bogiez, Cardiff
10 Oct – The Fleece, Bristol
12 Oct – Crane Lane Theatre, Cork IR
13 Oct – Whelan’s, Dublin IR
14 Oct – Black Box, Belfast NI
15 Oct – Waterfront, Norwich

Damnably