Live Report: Shonen Knife-Austin, TX (08.16.2012)

This is my live event report for the Shonen Knife live event at Red 7 in Austin, TX. I arrived at the venue a bit late due to my travel arrangements running behind, but luckily the time of the doors opening for the show was running behind. As I was standing in line, the girls of Shonen Knife had passed by me as they ventured down 6^th street, in search of a good Mexican food restaurant, of which they had succeeded within a couple blocks. The line for the show upon arrival was a bit scarce, however by the time of the 1^st band, Gal Pals had started, the room started to fill out. The crowd was very diverse of fans of all ages and genres. Next up was another local band, Bobby Jealousy, whom had an interesting sound, and seemed be a local favorite.

After the set ended, Shonen Knife started to set up as the crowd eagerly anticipated the start of a great show. As the show officially started all three came across the stage with their band’s banner, and dressed to fit Pop Tune, their new album’s theme. From the first note from Ritsuko’s bass, to Emi’s drums, and Naoko’s guitar, the crowd went into a frenzy. For the 1^st half of the set, they performed songs from their past albums such as Lazybone, Deer Biscuits, I am Cat, Capybara, Rubber Band, and Antonio Baka Guy. One note I should also mention, there was an interesting sized mosh pit happening in the crowd as Shonen Knife was playing. This is something I was not used to seeing at a Shonen Knife event, however, I was informed by some of the Austin locals that the Red 7 venue is known for the punk audience.

Then the band took a brief intermission to change into their next set’s theme which has been a great hit at their lives as of late. Shonen Knife came back onto the stage as the Osaka Ramones, which is also the name of the Ramones tribute album they released in 2011. They went into all the hits such as Rock’N’Roll High School, Blitzkrieg Bop, I Wanna Be Sedated, Rockaway Beach, and KKK Took My Baby Away. During this set the Austin crowd became very electric and gave much energy to the band. And the mosh pit became more intense, of which I had gotten into the crossfire while at stage side. After the Ramones set ended, they went into tracks from the new album, Pop Tune and Osaka Rock City. There may have been other songs from the album that may have been performed, however during the track Pop Tune, an audience member who was quite inebriated, was being a nuisance, kept pushing and hitting people, ultimately punching me in the back of my head, causing me to miss out the end of the performance.  

 

After the show ended, Shonen Knife all met up at the merchandise booth, greeted all the fans, signing autographs, and posing for photos. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the girls in the previous years they have toured the United States, and every time they are always nice and adore their fans. Also for the fans of Shonen Knife from the beginning, working the merchandise booth was one of the original founding members, Atsuko Yamano. She is always a pleasure to talk to, a treat to see her with the rest of the band.

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