SHONEN KNIFE + REXINE The Cluny, Newcastle 4th October 2012

With the majority of the northern City enjoying European Football at St James, we found ourselves not far from the river Tyne at now familiar Cluny venue, more to the point, we are here to see Shonen Knife,the first graced the the North East some 20 years ago (they have been around 30 years) and glad to report many times since. The latest massive touring commitments worldwide, after the 30th Anniversary tours of North America and Canada would have drained the best of bands, but with even more demands due to the impressive 2012 album ‘Pop Tones’.The new album has resulted  has brought a number of new faces the crowd, a healthy mix of ages and styles their are older punks and rockers with, students and the  the fresh faced all on one healthy mission, to enjoy proceedings.

First band on are Smallgan,  London based three piece played a fair support slot, more dark indie than alternative they still made a positive first impression on the growing crowd. a few were interested, hopefully there is more from them soon.

A cheer greeted local band Rexine which opened with ‘Paper Dolls’ the all female frontline of bass, vocals and guitar all play well, along with the drummer they produce an impressive set, all well received by all those around. The music takes in a number of influences, all of which, these days are not the  mainstream, mind you what is? An alternative band with strong elements of punk, grunge and rock, as we are informed not bothered if they go a bit hardcore aka ‘New Sparkles’, also of note is their debut single ‘There And Back Again’ for all worked well.  . After the last song ‘Black Boots, White Lies’ ended simple thought, enjoyable and convincing. Friend in the crowd  even liked the black and white stripped dress of the lead singer, but what do I know, just here for the music, just nodded.

And so, we we with loud cheers welcome the arrival of Shonen Knife with their Newcastle instalment of the Pop Tone 2012 World Tour. Although now the band need no knights in shining armour, back in their K Records and Sub Pop days, they had US champions like Nirvana, Mudhoney and on the East coast, Sonic Youth and of course one Dee Dee Ramone. Fair to say the Osaka punk – pop band have been around some three decades now, although there longevity has no effect on the level of performance, their gusto; the sheer enjoyment felt by all at the now packed venue is addictive.

In the last few years they have explored a 70’s heavy metal rock sound in their previous two LP’s ‘Super Group’ and ‘Free Time’, Pop Tune is a return to the bands signature combinations of pin sharp punk-pop, 60’s girl group inspired harmonies, and upbeat melodies. ‘Pop Tone’ was recorded in Osaka in early 2012 after the bands wildly successful ‘Osaka Ramones’ World Tour in 2011.The new album is around a quarter of the 2012 set, think there was four warmly accepted song sfrom ‘Pop Tune’, the first was ‘Psychedelic Life’ a song about our drummer Emi, (who replaced Etsuko) the crowd all cheer and wave, the happiest tale of drug tinged mis-adventures all delivered with trademark 60’s girl group hormones and hard guitars all delivered with sweet smiles from the talented trio. Also the albums title track shines along with with Naoko’s own song which was released as a single, at least in North America, ‘Ghost Train’ goes down also goes down very well.

It the the rest of the set is a ‘best of from some 13 studio albums. Shonen Knife can beguile us with a 60’s enthused harmonised edgy pop to full blown Ramones-esque guitar attacks and they can even  now headband! Remember dancing to songs like ‘Barbeque party’,  from the Ramones tribute album, ‘Osaka Ramones’, ‘Baby I Love You’ is a popular choice with a nifty rendition, but it’s the encore a blistering delivery of ‘Sushi Bar’ that see three super-fans directly in front of us kick off the moshing, stilted crowd dance moves gibe way to the odd push and pogo, just to prove it was a gig. Impressed the crowd could give us a little space, as it was that busy. The new trio’s stamina and professionalism, a glowing set of songs delivered with power and poise. Loved it. 9/10
Steve Janes

Allphoto: Helen Todner