The super influential all-female Japanese pop-punk band formed in 1981, Shonen Knife rose from humble DIY beginnings, crafting their own idiosyncratic songs, and fashioning their own brightly coloured outfits. They captured the hearts of seminal 90’s alt. rock bands, counting the likes of Thurston Moore and Kurt Cobain as avid fans, and perhaps best expressed when over twenty different bands including L7, Babes In Toyland, Redd Kross, and White Flag came together to record renditions of their favourite Shonen Knife songs for the tribute album “Every Band Has A Shonen Knife Who Loves Them”.

They went on to tour the world with Nirvana (opening on the Nevermind tour), The Breeders, Sonic Youth, BMX Bandits, and as part of travelling alternative rock festival Lollapolooza. They’ve recorded sessions for John Peel, appeared on MTV’s Beavis and Butthead, 120 minutes, the Conan O’Brian show and wrote ‘Buttercup (I’m a Supergirl)’ for the hugely popular cartoon ‘The Powerpuff Girls’.

“Rocks like Motorhead designed by Hanna-Barbara” Uncut

“Ultimately, without using superlatives, Shonen Knife should be set up for life as ambassadors for live music.” Clash Music

“Shonen Knife's gloriously infectious buzzsaw rock & roll remains firmly in place to charm the pants off even the most of cynical and hardened of churls.” The Quietus

“The Osaka Ramones, you must concede, still have it.” BBC Music