Shonen Knife Go Into Overdrive with New Album and New 2014 UK Tour

Formed in Osaka almost 33 years ago, the trio rose from humble DIY beginnings to touring with Nirvana on their ‘Nevermind’ tour, trailblazing a path for women in music and inspiring legions of bands. Championed by Nirvana, Sonic Youth and hailed as a favourite by the crème-de-la-crème of Alternative Rock, Shonen Knife remain one of the most influential and beloved of Japanese rock exports.
Following an extensive tour of Europe in 2013, the band are returning for 15 dates across the UK and Ireland this May before heading to Europe, to promote the release of their 20th album, Overdrive, out 14th April on Damnably Records.

Live, they are a tight with machine-precision, punching out fast, highly exciting sets of Punk, Pop, Rock & Metal hits, all coated with their own distinctively quirky and life-affirming charm. As they fast approach their 1,000th gig, Shonen Knife’s joy and invention shows no sign of fading. As Naoko says, “Let’s Rock!”

30 April 2014: Ruby Lounge, Manchester [Tickets]
1 May 2014: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
3 May 2014: Handmade Festival, Leicester
6 May2014: Whelans, Dublin
7 May 2014: Dolans, Limerick
8 May 2014: Crane Lane Theatre, Cork
9 May 2014: Cathedral Quarter Festival, Belfast
10 May 2014: CCA, Glasgow [Tickets]
11 May 2014: Electric Circus, Edinburgh
12 May 2014: Cluny, Newcastle
14 May 2014: The Fleece, Bristol [Tickets]
15 May 2014: Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff [Tickets]
16 May 2014: Sticky Mikes Frog Bar, Brighton [Tickets]
17 May 2014: The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
18 May 2014: Dingwalls, London [Tickets]

Shonen Knife Get Charitable for Christmas

Osaka’s premier all girl punk-rock unit Shonen Knife welcomes in the season of goodwill with a brand new festive single, and a rare charity auction that hopes to raise plenty of cash on behalf the Japanese Red Cross Earthquake and Tsunami fund.

The threesome’s 2011 Christmas single ‘Sweet Christmas’ is available now across the UK digitally via iTunes UK, Amazon.co.uk and Play.com, as well as a limited edition 7″ white vinyl from HMV or directly from the group’s European label and management; Damnably. The single contains the title track, plus the girls’ cover of ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’, and an acoustic version of ‘Sweet Christmas’.

Damnably has also teamed up with Shonen Knife to offer one lucky bidder the chance to own rare Shonen swag, including their Osaka Ramones (faux) leather jackets, a selection of CDs, merchandise and more! The auction is now live from today until Christmas and can be viewed by clicking here.

The auction includes:

• 3x signed ‘Osaka Ramones’ faux leather jackets – as worn by the band at their only European Osaka Ramones concert at The Brixton Windmill on 8 Sep 2011.
• 1x Shonen Knife’s Osaka Ramones album.
• 1x Shonen Knife’s Free Time album.
• 1x Shonen Knife’s Super Group album.
• 3x Shonen Knife London concert postcards.
• 1x Shonen Knife London concert A3 poster.
• 5x Shonen Knife stickets.
• 1x Test pressing of Shonen Knife’s Sweet Christmas single (one of only six in the world, the others belonging to the band and Damnably).
• 1x Physical actual copy of Sweet Christmas.

Happy bidding, and spread the word!