Shonen Knife Announce 'Let's Knife Re-Cut' Aotearoa New Zealand Tour

Simply one of the best bands EVER, Japanese pop-punk legends Shonen Knife give us all something to look forward to with the announcement of a full-blown nationwide tour of Aotearoa New Zealand, hitting the four main centres plus Ōamaru this November. Formed in Osaka in 1981 and creators of the consistently funnest and mega-catchy punk anthems this side of The Ramones, Kurt Cobain famously named Shonen Knife "his favourite band" — Nirvana were also known to cover 'Twist Barbie' live when they toured Europe with the group.

Last here in 2024, Shonen Knife co-founders Naoko Yamano and Atsuko Yamano, with more recent recruit Risa Kawano (who joined in 2015) will be back toasting the launch of Lets Knife Re-Cut (out locally this Friday), featuring re-recorded tunes from their breakout 1992 album Let's Knife. Do your ears a favour and get amongst — brought to you by Susie Says!...

Shonen Knife
with special guests to be announced

Wednesday 4th November - Ōamaru, The Penguin Club
Thursday 5th November - Dunedin, Pearl Diver
Friday 6th November - Lyttelton, Loons
Saturday 7th November - Meow, Wellington*
Sunday 8th November - Auckland, Whammy Bar

Tickets on sale HERE via UTR
*Tickets via susiesays.co.nz

Hit play on Riding on the Rocket from Shonen Knife's new Lets Knife Re-Cut...

Crank up 'Twist Barbie' from Let's Knife...

Here's Shonen Knife's MTV classic 'Tomato Head' from 1994's Rock Animals...

Press release:

Fist-pumping, fun-loving, “candy”-shouting punks, unite!

In the most southerly tour yet, this NOVEMBER Shonen Knife generously offer one of the most joyous live-music gifts people will ever receive, bringing their quirky, food-focused pop punk performance to the good folk of Ōtepoti, Ōamaru and Ōtautahi - in addition to their Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Tāmaki Makaurau.

Shonen Knife’s last Aotearoa tour in 2024 wowed enthusiastic audiences in Waiheke and Raglan, and this tour will be no different. In the interim, the band has toured through South America, TWO tours of the United States, multiple dates in Japan and more! Kicking ass and taking no prisoners, their innate energy you’ll catch is the best kind of infection!

Honestly - where would the world be without live shows that leave you happier and lighter than when you entered the gig On their current US tour, Shonen Knife felt the need for their uplifting magic in Florida; their review in www.19.com says “The thing I’ve always loved about Shonen Knife is the joy they bring to their music. It’s infectious. It lets us disconnect from the darkness around us” This reviewer was also impressed “by the long line already waiting to make purchases. It stretched down the lawn all the way to the seats. I joined the autograph line and got my fanboy moment and a photo with the band.” The world is made that much better by a band like Shonen Knife, and soon Aotearoa will also experience their unique pop-punk exuberance.

With the upcoming release on AUG 21 of their re-cut seminal 1992 album Let’s Knife in Australia/NZ via Valve/MGM, Naoko, Atsuko and Risa cut into the sugar lines of their current world tour to chop it all up in their favourite wonderland of Aotearoa.

In a world drowning in irony Lets Knife Re-Cut arrives like a neon lifesaver thrown from a punk rock speedboat. Shonen Knife remind us all that rock can still be heartfelt, silly and absolutely essential. Grab this one immediately, crank it loud, and prepare to smile until your face hurts because these songs were built to outlast every trend going. – (Jammerzine)

The album’s original success was famously due to Nirvana. In 1992 Kurt Cobain revealed his obsession with the Japanese trio, calling them ‘his favorite band’, seeking them out to open for Nirvana. Shonen Knife had never heard of the band, but eagerly took advantage of the opportunity. They quickly put together Let’s Knife out of their catchiest, funnest songs, recorded them in English and headed to the USA to open for Nirvana’s national tour.