INTERVIEW: SHONEN KNIFE @ BILTMORE CABARET

Shonen Knife is on tour with their new album, Osaka Ramones: Tribute to the Ramones. They’re also celebrating 30 years of punk rocking it out on the stage. SCENE IN THE DARK caught up with the ladies just before they performed at the Biltmore Cabaret earlier this week.

Cherry Archer (SCENE): Welcome back to Vancouver! You’ve been on the road in North America for almost a month now; how’s the tour been going?

Naoko Yamano: Yeah, it’s going really well.

SCENE: What’s your favourite thing about being on tour?

Naoko: For me, seeing the fans. I always like to meet and greet our fans.

Ritsuko Taneda: I enjoy shopping. I like American chocolate and cookies.

Emi Morimoto: I like to eat! (laughs)

SCENE: I love to eat too; I can totally relate to you on that. So tell me what you hate about being on the road.

Naoko: Hate the long drives.

Ritsuko: Long flights.

SCENE: Any interesting tour stories this time around?

Naoko: Actually, most recent was today. Our van was taken away by police because of the parking. We didn’t know that it was a bus stop. We didn’t notice.

SCENE: Did you get it back yet?

Naoko: It’s back here now. We paid some money.

SCENE: You’ve been around for 30 years, that’s very significant. To what do you owe your longevity?

Naoko: I’m always looking forward…never look back. So, I didn’t notice so many years have passed. Everything is without context, I just keep looking forward.

SCENE: And how have you evolved as musicians?

Naoko: I think our ability for music has progressed.

SCENE: Any other changes in your approach to writing or to playing?

Naoko: Ritsuko joined Shonen Knife 3 years ago. I think her performance is getting more aggressive.

SCENE: Really! I can’t wait to see you out there then. What about your fan base; have your fans changed?

Naoko: We have a very big variety of fans like male, female, young people and old people.

SCENE: Have you found that 20 years ago it was more male oriented or female oriented?

Naoko: In the 90’s, most of our fans were from 20’s to 40’s, but now fans are 40’s, 50’s and with their daughters and sons.

SCENE: Cool.

Ritsuko: I think recently females have increased.

SCENE: Why do you think that is?

Ritsuko: I don’t know why.

SCENE: So, this new cd is a Ramones tribute. Since your inception, you’ve always cited the Ramones and other 70’s punk bands as your influence. Are there any more recent bands that you listen to?

Ritsuko: I like Blink 182.

Naoko: I don’t listen to recent bands a lot. I like to listen to 70’s, British, Hard Rock bands.

Emi: I’m listening to 60’s pop rock.

SCENE: When you’re not on tour, what other type of creative things do you do?

Naoko: Recently I made an effect pedal bag. I made it by myself. I brought it with me.

SCENE: Why did you decide to make that? Was there nothing on the market that suited you?

Naoko: Regular effect pedal case is made with wood and steel and it is very heavy. The limitations at the airport are very strict for weight, so I made the bag.

SCENE: Very clever. What about you Ritsuko?

Ritsuko: Cooking.

SCENE: Do you attempt western dishes?

Ritsuko: I try Italian food. Spaghetti is easy.

Emi: I like to draw. Mostly abstract.

SCENE: What was the latest thing you worked on?

Emi: I designed a CD cover.

SCENE: You haven’t put out a Christmas song in a while. Any plans to do so, seeing as it’s November?

Naoko: In Japan, North America and in Europe we’re releasing our new Christmas single. In Japan it’s just download. In North America we’ll release a CD single and, I think, in England it will be vinyl.

SCENE: What’s it called?

All: The title is Sweet Christmas.

Naoko: In North America it releases on November 29.

SCENE: So before the end of the month. I can’t wait to hear it. Okay, I’d better let you get ready for the show. It has been excellent meeting you. Thank you so much for your time.

Concert photography/Interview by Cherry Archer who is also a Vancouver fashion photographer specializing in conceptual photo shoots.