Shonen Knife from Osaka, was formed in 1981 by sisters Naoko and Atsuko and their friend Michie, long before the term 'riot girrrl' came into existence. The female trio gleefully taunted guitar snares and tarted every rule of music to the tune of imported Ramones covers.
 
Just like Japanese cult girl-band The 5,6,7,8s, Shonen Knife has been holding its own for more than 40 years now, in an ever-changing musical landscape, by sticking to what they do best: releasing their own quirky, catchy, feel-good pop-punk. 
 
Their fans include greats like Sonic Youth and Nirvana. It would be no overstatement to say that they have had an enormous influence on the alternative rock scene. Kurt Cobain openly declared: "When I finally saw them live, I transformed into a hysterical nine-year-old girl during a Beatles concert. "
 
Despite years on the road, their enthusiasm for live shows remains a delight to the eye and ear. Shonen Knife can now generously draw from a gigantic back catalogue that ranges from sturdy trash rock to poppy tunes.
 
Manchester Evening News captured the iconic band nicely in words: "...the key to their success has been a disarming, often slightly surreal, take on their punk and rock influences - and with songs titled 'Tortoise Band Pot Cleaner' could they ever be accused of taking themselves too seriously?" Hell no!