Shonen Knife Studio Diary - by Mamiko!


Our long-time friend of Shonen Knife, Pretty Little Kappa-chan Mamiko Nakagawa, has sent us a translation of the Studio Diaries for the new album, "Heavy Songs", in english! Please visit the official Shonen Knife Home Page - to view the cool "cameo photos" from the studio, which accompany these diary entries there. Mamiko is a fan of Shonen Knife for many years - even since their UK tours (she first met them in London when in the UK for a Beatles Fanclub Convention!) and she is listed in the "small circle of friends" liner notes for the "Greatest History" album. She has been a great friend of the Shonen Knife NeXuS website since it first went online in 1996, and we are very thankful for her helpful contributions over many years. Kappa-chan Mamiko had her own website in Japan, from 1996 through 1998, called the "Heartfriends of Shonen Knife. We can all hope she may consider making a new webpage in the future! Please enjoy her personal translation of the studio diaries. Also, don't forget the translation that Shonen Knife fan Mayuko began for us in January! Mayuko is busy traveling in asia at this time, & not able to finish the final sections of her report for now - we hope she is having a wonderful journey, & look forward to her future reports as well.


Shonen Knife Studio Diary, by Pretty Little Kappa-chan Mamiko!


  • January 14: First Day of recording. The computer data of the demonstration tape which Naoko completed in advance is transferred to a master tape. A total of 12 songs!

  • January 16. The guideline of each song is recorded on January 16. The recording starts with a drum track. "AAA", "Rubber Band", "Rock Sand" and "A Map Master" are finished today. Atsuko: Recording is a good feeling! Also for today, our lunch was chinese food. It gave us energy!"

  • January 17. Atsuko's drum recording is in favorable condition. "Happy Song" and "Elephant Insect" were recorded today. Atsuko wrote "Happy Song". Atsuko: Today is also drum recording. Two songs were played. After, I am thinking that I was bassist recently, so it's hard work to drum!

  • January 18. Atsuko is recording the "Mushroom Cut", & "Heavy Song" drum part. Naoko is recording the "Elephant Insect" (temporary title?) vocal part. There is email written by Naoko during intervals of recording.

  • January 21. Ron Sexsmith is touring here and visited the studio in concert, and his guest participation in the New Album was realized. Ron and his band guitarist Tim, bassist Peter and Engineer Sean came to the studio. The song which Ron sang is "Elephant Insect". Also, Tim takes charge of the guitar solo of this track. "Elephant Insect" features Naoko and Ron singing a duet. It is a nice touch with two talented persons, so the character of a song changes. Look for pleasure over the completion!

  • January 22. A session with Ron finishes. We return to usual time. Atsuko is recorded today with the drum part for "Piano" and the "Map Master" bass part. After recording finishes, we all go to see the Buffalo Daughter Live!

  • January 24. "Rock Sand" drum recording ends. The recording of drums is mostly completed now. The music has taken form gradually. Incidentally, Naoko went to the final concert of "Mr.BIG" yesterday.

  • January 25. Naoko did not come to studio today - she has a cold. Atsuko and her bass finished "Rock Sand". Atsuko: My fingers hurt! I am wishing that Naoko's cold becomes better soon.

  • January 29. Atsuko is recording the "Mushroom Cut" & "Heavy Song" drum part. Naoko is recording the "Disco Night" guitar part and other temporary vocals for each song. Naoko: Words are more completed. They are now united with the melody. Recording is pleasant. I will also do my best tomorrow.

  • January 30. All day long today, Naoko did overdubbing of the guitar. "A Map Master", "Mushroom Hair Cut", "Rock Sand",etc. - the main guitar parts are finished one after another. Naoko: Many guitar parts were recorded and my feeling is good today. I was glad to have eaten SOBA lunch, it was sold-out yesterday!

  • January 31. Naoko played many guitar parts today also. The guitar which she is playing actively this time is (see picture her Les Paul model (by Burnny). Naoko: The recording of the guitar is almost finished. I did it! My work finished early!

  • February 1. Vocal part recording starts. The title was changed into "Komimitobinezumi" from "Piano". The Japanese version of "Mushroom Hair Cut" and "Computer Language" is finished. The Japanese vocal versions are made in good tune. Words were considered carefully. Taking delivery from Osobayasan restaurant is continued the 4th day.

  • February 4. Then, today - vocal parts recording. Two versions in Japanese & English were made for almost all the songs this time, but it takes so much time! Mr. M living in Nishi Shinjuku came for our session to the studio with supplies of provisions today. Naoko: He has brought eclair for us! Now I can concentrate well today. Work progresses quickly for Shonen Knife Construction Company!

  • February 5. Naoko's vocal recording continues. English versions of "Map Master", "Mushroom Hair Cut" and "Rubber Band" are recorded. Percussionist friend Moray came for the afternoon. He plays the folk musical instrument(UDO) of Africa for "Mango Juice." Wide improvements are made to the sound. It's a good feeling!

  • February 6. The title of "Disco Night" was changed into "A Boogie Monster". The vocal of the Japanese version of "Mushroom Hair Cut" is recorded. Vocal recording is sometimes nervous for me, when recording. Naoko: Vocals were also recorded today. The English and Japanese versions are almost completed.

  • February 7. Recorded guitars and other vocals, such as "Heavy Song" and "A Boogie Monster" today. By adding some fine parts, the music finds expression. But, the words of "AAA" and "Rock Sand" are not completed 100% yet. Naoko is in a pinch! She said: The words of two of the songs are not made yet! Much of the music was made first from the melody rather than words this time. I normally make the words first.

  • February 8. Atsuko adds a keyboard to "Happy Song." There is also an organ solo. The vocal for the Japanese version is also recorded. In addition, she also recorded the maracas and tambourine of "Mushroom Haircut." Atsuko: Vocals were recorded today. The keyboard playing is also pleasant. Incidentally, Naoko is fighting with words!

  • February 12. Naoko completed the words of the remaining two songs at last. The title was changed into "Golden Years Of Rock'n Roll", from "Rock Sand". Instantly, a temporary vocal is recorded. Then, our support drummer Mana performed the chorus of "Rubber Band", and the percussion of "Mango Juice (for George Harrison)". Seiichi Yamamoto came to the studio on that day. We have him perform the guitar solo of "Mango Juice (for George Harrison)"!

    Naoko: Mana came to perform the percussion as a guest musician today. I had her perform the India wind of the song "Mango Juice" written by me. It was finished with a touch very in the India style. I had her perform various percussions - she performed on the TAKOYAKI griddle. It became a musical instrument like anything. It is very interesting! The other guest musician is Mr. Seiichi Yamamoto. I had the guitar performed for the music by him. It is nice and cool playing. On the guitar with the individuality of a Mr.Yamamoto solo, the music is finished with a warm touch, and I am satisfied.

  • February 13. The chorus part of each song is finished in detail. The next photograph (see the Shonen Knife website) is a pattern created when recording the part of the "Computer Language" beginning. What does it really mean? Naoko: Recording is now near the end. Although work in studio was not scheduled for several days until February 19, since recording-related work had to be done at home, it was busy. I want a rest soon! But finally it will be soon anyhow.

  • February 19. Cold is prevalent in the studio. Atsuko is downed! There is music which had not yet recorded the vocal part and a track down is also advanced. Naoko is under hard struggle on the guitar solo of "Rubber Band". Naoko: The guitar solo of parts for two music vocals and "Rubber Band" was recorded. I used my Rickenbacker 12 string guitar. The sound of a bowstring is expressing the elasticity of "Rubber Band!"

  • February 21. All the vocal parts recording completed by the end of today. A track down mix is also favorable. Naoko: It is becoming more finished! The mix down is also progressing steadily. We were cautiously considerate of fine points, such as balance of sound, effects, depth, the sound positioning, and it has been going well to make a smart sound. Oh, completion is pleasure!

  • February 22. A track down also continues today. The rehearsal for an Eastern youth's event held in Shibuya "ON AIR EAST" on February 28, is carried out today. Mana came to the studio in the afternoon. It was for a long time that all the members met in the studio today. Naoko: Band practice was carried out, after Mana came and we were eating Chinese food together. Unlike recording, the practice for the first time in two months for the Live show seemed to be like sports! It became a stress alleviation and was pleasant.

  • February 25. The final day of recording! A track down also finishes all processes safely. Only mastering remains. Atsuko: Done! Recording finished! Everything was going smoothly from the first. The wonderful album was completed although Naoko and I were downed with colds in the middle. Naoko: It is the final day of recording at last. Vocal recording of "Komimitobinezumi" was carried out till the last day. (But it was recorded to very good touch.) One month and a half now -- it was busy however, the final day... with deep emotion. Thank you very much our all staff!: The wonderful album was completed. Everybody! Please look forward to the release!


    Mamiko:

    Their new songs are:

    AAA
    Rubber Band
    Golden Years Of Rock 'n' Roll
    A Map Master
    Happy Song
    Elephant Insect
    Mushroom Hair Cut
    Komimitobinezumi
    A Boogie Monster
    Heavy Song
    Mango Juice (for George Harrison)
    Computer Language

    Komimitobi-nezumi: Not sure on the meaning, but "nezumi" is a rat. During the NHK studio live on radio, their individuality has come out and I thought that it was very good. The new album is very pleasureable! I thought that it was even better than the Strawberry Sound.

    From Friend Mamiko


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