SHONEN KNIFE, SPOILERS, THE METATRONS.
Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. Saturday 7th May 2016.
It was a little after four o’clock on this warm spring afternoon when the SHONEN KNIFE tour van arrived in the Esquires car park. As it was parked up, the three ladies got out and walked up the venues stairs. With beaming smiles, they greeted us early arrivals very graciously by saying “Hello” to everyone. Fast forward some six hours and the band are now ready to entertain this good sized Saturday crowd. Their stage outfits are dazzling. As a loud chorus of cheers and applause greet their arrival on stage. Original member Naoko Yamano still fronts the band which she co-formed way back in 1981. Her ever revolving conveyor belt of bandmates now feature. Atsuko and the delightful Risa, the drummer who’s ever angelic smile beamed as constantly bright as the Esquires new lights.
Much credit must go to this band, whose continuing appeal and longevity is incredible. Initially in the early days an all female punk band was a shockingly new phenomenon, even more bizarrely so, given the fact that they were from Osaka in Japan. Novelty, they have proven not to be.
Tonight’s gig in Bedford is the penultimate date of Shonen Knife’s UK and Ireland tour. Their popular formula has over the years never really changed. A bubblegum pop punk mix fuelled by influences ranging from sixties girl group harmonies, raw garage DIY enthusiasm, Ramones punk ethics and the soul of The Beach Boys. The elixir of timeless music is Shonen Knife.
Tonight’s show hurtles along at a rattling pace. The crowd barely have time to get their breath back before another song kicks in. singalongs are plenty, although if you do not know the words, just bob your head and jump around!
The song titles such as Twist Barbie, Green Tangerine and Giant Kitty, express and demonstrate the philosophy of Shonen Knifes music, people enjoy it, but don’t take it too seriously. Their carreer has been built through crafting their own idiosyncratic compositions. As the set develops, the mosh pit becomes more active. There is tonight, a very curious mix of attendees. Some from the bands first generation, a sprinkling of grunge aficionados who followed the advice of the late Kurt Cobain and checked out Shonen Knife back when they supported Nirvana. With their latest now nineteenth album, Adventure, just recently released, new fans are embraced just as much. Japanese bands are not rare at Esquires. Two from my recent memory are punk rock all girl band Akiakane, who played the bar on 01-02-2008. And Bo Ningen who transfixed Holy Molys on 31-05-2013. It’s strange but true, for the older that Shonen Knife seem to get, the younger they appear to sound. They speak with much warmth and joy, appearing to be genuinely happy to be in almost unknown Bedford! Kind and sincere throughout, this does make a most refreshing change from some of the more boorish male wannabee ‘hotly tipped’ bands that frequent the Esquires mainstage, who are usually only interested in making sarcastic and downright ignorant comments. Shonen Knife, bless them, let their catchy music do all the major talking. They have pedigree to match, as in their long career they have influenced amongst others L7 and The Breeders, recorded for John Peel RIP and famously appeared in the nineties show with MTV’s Beavis & Butthead (Ah cartoons feature high on Shonen Knifes list) The whole night is a total joy and is presented by The Pad Presents. Seventeen songs, plus a much requested encore that features Sushi Bar Song. This of course is naturally delivered crisp and fresh. The ladies were then on their way, a lengthy chat with their fans and then off to Bristol for the last date of the tour. These ‘Osaka Ramones’ had delivered and continue to as Naoko said at the beginning of the evening, “Lets rock.” They did that, furiously!
Main support and making their debut at Esquires were SPOILERS. This London based band are fronted by a familiar face to us Bedford music fans. Frontman Craig Sharpe made his mark with several local bands, including Pandemonium, a few years ago, before embarking on the highly respected and original outfit Ice Sea Dead People. With nods to early Sonic Youth. This quartet absolutely raze the stage with a blazing display of searing edgy guitar based sounds. A sheen of noise cascades around the room. Exhilarating from start to finish the barrage of free flowing creativity these musicians pulled from their instruments was amazing. Watching their set I just wished it could have been so much longer. I was totally spellbound by it all. Fantastically aurally brilliant, this for me is what live music is all about, something to get really excited about, great stuff fellas.
Opening were THE METATRONS, who very kindly stepped in at the last minute to replace the absent Council Tax Band, female led, they showcased their double A sided single Please Mister Not Today. This Hertfordshire band and pleasant enough but on this particular musical menu, they were simply the plain ‘hors d’oeuvre before the sumptuous main course and deserts, of later.
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk