Shonen Knife’s first tour in 6 years is headed to Phoenix

It is no secret that the world needs all the happiness it can get. While the previous statement may seem like an indictment of the current political situation in this country, it isn’t. It’s just a simple fact. People always need a reason to smile. 

These smiles are even more valuable when they are effortless.

This is not to say that Shonen Knife, possibly Japan’s happiest export outside of Hello Kitty, exists without effort. After talking to Naoko Yamano via Zoom last month, it is obvious that effort, as well as a borderline unhealthy affection for the Ramones, have kept the band going for the last forty-four years.

Yamano has been the one constant member of the trio since 1981, and if you are unfamiliar with their bouncy and infectious blend of Beach Boys, Redd Kross and Ramones-influenced tunes, you’re sorely missing out. Luckily, though, Shonen Knife is making an appearance on October 13 at Rebel Lounge.

“I remember the scenery (in Arizona) was very beautiful,” says Yamano when asked if she remembered the last time the band came through Phoenix.

For Yamano, though, the idea of doing Shonen Knife for over forty years or there being a three-decade gap between visits to Phoenix is a bit mind-boggling.

“When we started, I didn’t think about a longtime future at all. I was just playing in bands and thinking about nothing else. I was always thinking, maybe, six months or a year into the future, but now, I’m getting old (laughs). So, I am thinking (I’m) doing my best…having the best purpose for me,” Naomo says.

Yamano got her start being a fan.

“I just loved American and British punk rock bands, and I wanted to play like them. After I played music for an audience and the audience seemed happy and people are smiling, I got happy. So now my purpose is I would like it if people were happy because of our music,” says Yamano.

Most recently, the band released “Our Best Place”‘ in 2023, and the band will have an expanded version available for sale at the show, but over two dozen Shonen Knife records are floating around out there, albeit the majority of those are difficult to find in the U.S. “Our Best Place” is a really nice way to spend your time and the song, “Vamos Taquitos” foreshadows one of Yamanos biggest goals for this tour.

“It is our first time touring the US in six years, so I would like to enjoy food. I like fish tacos a lot. I am also looking forward to seeing all the friendly faces. The audience in the US is always very energetic and friendly,” says Yamano.

Back in the mid-1980s, Hawthorne, California’s Redd Kross helped introduce Shonen Knife to American audiences after introducing Bill Bartell of Gasatanka Records to the band. The late Bartell (formerly of White Flag) put out a compilation called “Every Band Has A Shonen Knife Who Loves Them” in 1989 and then the self-titled Shonen Knife record in 1990.

“(Redd Kross founders) Jeff and Steve McDonald and Thurston Moore from Sonic Youth made an all-star band called Tater Totz, and we played our first overseas show with them in 1989 (in Los Angeles). Jeff took us sightseeing, too. I had a chance to see the Redd Kross show, and it was so fun. I became a big fan of theirs, and some years later, Redd Kross came to Osaka, and I was able to host them at that time,” says Yamano.

It’s safe to say the crowd on a Monday night in Phoenix will have a few local musicians in it, as well. Bands like Shonen Knife serve such an important purpose for music fans and musicians alike in how positively joyous their approach to music is while also creating some of the most well-crafted pop punk music you will find anywhere. The band, however, sometimes has a hard time deciding just what songs to play.

“We released too many albums,” says Yamano with a laugh before adding, “so it’s very difficult to make a set list. We can play about 100 songs, so I maybe pick one from each album and play songs from our latest album, “Our Best Place,” and also, we will play songs from our very early album called “Minna Tanoshiku.” Its meaning is the same as the tour title, ‘Everybody Happy.’”

Smiles will not be hard to find at the Rebel Lounge when Shonen Knife takes the stage.

Shonen Knife plays the Rebel Lounge on Monday, October 13, 2025. The Pack A.D. opens at 8 p.m., doors at 7 p.m. Tickets are available here for the 21+ show.