Shonen Knife Returning To New Zealand In November

Legendary Japanese punk-pop trio Shonen Knife are heading back our way in November, for a guaranteed super fun three date tour of the North Island. Originally formed in Osaka all the way back in 1981, Shonen Knife have delivered more than 20 studio albums (including this year's Sweet Candy Power) over a career spanning 38 years and counting! Favourites of Kurt Cobain and Sonic Youth, Shonen Knife shot to international fame in the nineties, touring with Nirvana and becoming MTV staples, with their breakout hit 'Tomato Head' even scoring a slot on Beavis and Butthead. Last here for a trio of gigs in mid-2017, don't you dare even think about missing Shonen Knife at the shows below...

Undertheradar is excited to present...

Shonen Knife

Tuesday 12th November - San Fran, Wellington
Wednesday 13th November - Yot Club, Raglan
Thursday 14th November - Whammy, Auckland

Tickets available HERE via UTR

Watch the vintage clip for Shonen Knife's 1993 single 'Tomato Head', from Rock Animals...

Once you hear Shonen Knife's 'Banana Chips' (1998) you will never get this song out of your head...

Listen to Shonen Knife's awesome cover of 'Top Of The World' by The Carpenters, from 1994's tribute collection If I Were a Carpenter...

Press release:

Under The Radar, in association with 95bFM, presents the return of ... SHONEN KNIFE !

Japans evergreen sugar-coated punk powerpopsters return to New Zealand in November !

Shonen Knife's new album Sweet Candy Power” is out now worldwide and along with tours in Europe, Japan, UK and USA… they will then return to New Zealand in November.

Having just completed a European tour playing festivals PRIMAVERA SOUND in Spain and This Is Not A Love Song in France the reaction to the new tunes, according to the band from the audience was very good”.

Since their pure DIY beginnings in 1981, Osaka, Japans Shonen Knife have been building a faithful following of music enthusiasts and the alternative rock elite. Their relentless journey secured the bands place as one of the pioneer ambassadors of Japanese rock music and culture on the international stage.

In 2019 the trio charges ahead towards their 4th decade of international touring and recording with their 19th studio release “Sweet Candy Power”.The band features original members (and sisters) Naoko on Vocals and Guitar, Atsuko on Bass and Vocals and newest member, Risa, on Drums and Vocals. Naoko describes the Sweet Candy Power album as This album is homage to my favorite 1960’s and 1970’s rock music. Also I put all of enjoyment, entertainment, joyful and delightful from me into songs. Inspired by my experience during tours and my daily life, I wrote lyrics with fun and a little bit of ironical viewpoint. I hope people get happy through this album. presented through the lens of SKs charismatically executed, sunshine and candy filled fantasy world.