History, Collectibles & Memorabilia




A Brief History of "Knife Collectors"



In 1992, the first attempt at a US "Knife Collectors" Fan Club was launched in the USA, by Jad and Sheena Fair, in Hoboken, New Jersey. The fan club was operated through the Residents' sales outlet for gear, etc. - and they also were organizing fan clubs for other bands, like Sonic Youth. A "Knife Collectors" CD was made available - produced for the venture by Virgin Records (special products division..) - but was not a "Virgin" records product, directly. Some of the initial items offered for Fans of the band to order, included a Pink Shonen Knife Letter Opener, Stationary, Pencils (to sharpen using your Shonen Knife, of course...) and a T-Shirt, too.

On August 22, 1999 - the first official Knife Collectors Newsletter announcing the new Fan Club was sent out to the mailing List. The First Newsletter was a 4 page, full color information release, designed to introduce the new Shonen Knife Fan Club to fans in North America, and update everyone on the past few years of Shonen Knife activity. (Sorry - it is now in very limited supply at this time!) We hope to reprint it soon for new fans who would like to have a copy for their collections!


This section features Shonen Knife Collectibles and other "cool things" that are "Of The Knife! - Tour gear, memorabilia and promo items of interest to "Knife Collectors" everywhere. Primary information on The NeXuS for Shonen Knife recordings - is found in the "Knife Cuts" Section here, and in the Pete Kitsch Shonen Knife Discography.

Knife Collectables! Cool Shonen Knife Gear.


Let's enjoy some of the prized items from Shonen Knife Albums, Tours, Fanclubs, Promotions - in private collections of Shonen Knife Collectors! Watch for more interesting things soon!

One of the most beautiful Shonen Knife Promotional Items, is this lovely China Plate that designed by Atsuko Yamano, during their Virgin Records years. This is extremely rare. It is certainly a major Shonen Knife Collectible - and Collectors should know that it does in fact, exist. These were used as special promo items for the "Let's Knife" album release on Virgin. It is a 6 1/2" fine china plate, lime green border with little gold stars on the white plate background, many of Shonen Knife's rockets, stars, icons around the border - and the center logo is of the "Let's Knife" design. It is Atsuko's own design, and her name appears on the back. This could well be one of the more rare Shonen Knife “platters” to be found in a SK record collection!



Check out this autographed Bass Guitar owned by Shonen Knife Missionary, Dean Mentjes, of Oklahoma City. The ladies signed this for Dean in Kansas City on the "Brand New Knife" Tour in 1997! Sorry fans... but this item is not for sale... *smile*:


Here is the quite rare Official Shonen Knife Letter Opener from the first U.S. Fan Club, circa 1992! (Dean Mentjes Collection):


The following picture is partial - a complete scan will soon replace it. (there is a very cool "hand sign" missing in this scan). Only (5) of these were made. Three of them belong (1) each to Naoko, Atsuko and Michie - one more belongs to Pretty Little Kappa-chan Mamiko Nakagawa in Japan - (who designed and created these “carry-pouches” for Shonen Knife in the early 80’s), and the final one is in the archives here at the Shonen Knife NeXuS. These were made for the band during the time period between "Let's Knife" and "Rock Animals". The band told Mamiko that they took her special carry-pouches on their next tour with them, and they were very nice. Shown here is the "Electric Shonen Knife" logo on these pouches. Each has a nice drawstring at the top, is about a foot deep - very sturdy pink courderoy material! I am honored that Kappa-chan sent her extra one to me as her Co-Missionary for Shonen Knife for 3 years on the Internet. It is a special item, from their #1 Japanese Fan, who is named in the credits on their CDs at the time, as in their “small circle of friends”. I wanted Shonen Knife Fans to enjoy the practical creative fun in Mamiko's handiwork, in her gift of these "Baggs" for Shonen Knife. (arigato! from George Ojisan).



One of the best little Shonen Knife-related goodies around? John MacLeod's Original Shonen Knife Comic Book: "The Night I Almost Met Shonen Knife" - is *now* available through Knife Collectors, N. America! Every new member of the Fan Club - gets a free copy! John has granted the Fan Club exclusive rights to produce and make the comic book available to Shonen Knife Fans in the US and Canada - or whereever a US Dollar will spend. That's it: One Doll-ah! This comic book is featured in the Japanese release of Shonen Knife's own personal book, "Shonen Knife Land". Please consider ordering some copies of this swell comic book from John MacLeod of Toronto, Canada - they make a fine "Introduction to Shonen Knife", when telling your friends about the band! John MacLeod had the first website on the Internet to honor Shonen Knife... and Brian MacKenzie (Shonen Knife Freaks Homepage) in Chicago - was second. Get the true story: "Dishman (almost) meets Shonen Knife" - in the classic mini-comic: "The Night I Almost Met Shonen Knife"! (clic on the pic to visit John’s historical “first Shonen Knife homepage”!)


Any proceeds from orders for the comics go to John MacLeod the artist, and the US Fan Club Effort!


"Shonen Knife Land"! Shonen Knife's own personal band-ography.... as no other band has told it on the printed page! Their biographical book is timeless, mysterious and splashed with their colorful world & detailed history! The book was released by "Little More" Books in Japan, in 1998.


Special Shonen Knife "Superbox" for Collectors!


In 1997, a special The Shonen Knife "Superbox" - was issued by Vacuum Records in Osaka, Japan - coordinated with the release of the great Remix album of SK Songs, “Supermix”. The special “Superbox” has completely "sold out", and is no longer available. However, the “Shonen Knife Vinyl Killer” Record Player Bus... can still be purchased! The "Superbox" included a Volkswagen Bus Record Player - (the "Vinyl Killer" model) - all decked out in Shonen Knife colors, a copy of the "Supermix" Vinyl LP, and a cool Original T-Shirt designed by Shonen Knife especially for this product!

The company was quite surprised by how well this item sold, "away from Japan" in the U.S.! The Vinyl Killer Shonen Knife Record Player Bus is very cool. (contact Vacuum Records to inquire if the bus is still available... and refer to the current Rates of Exchange between US/Japanese/other currencies, should you need the amount in U.S. $$, etc. - the original rates here are intended as a guide for the ordering process) Play it for Grandma and the kids - and watch their delight!! *smile*

You can visit the Vacuum Records Website by clicking *HERE*!

The Shonen Knife Superbox - limited edition, was available from:

Vacuum Records,
Attn: Mail Order Dept.
Shouto Bldg. 2F#D
Nishi-Shinsaibashi
Chuo-Ku, Osaka 542-0086 JAPAN

Mail Order Dept. Telephone # (Japan): 81-6-251-7171 (From the U.S. - you would dial: 011-81-6-251-7171).
Mail Order Fax #: (Japan): 81-6-258-0275 (From the U.S. - remember to include the U.S. Intn'l Access Code, 011, before the Fax #)
****Any Questions regarding ordering the "Shonen Knife Vinyl Killer VW Bus" (still available!) **** - please email to: Kyoko at Vacuum Records.

Local Hours: 12:00 to 20:00 - Closed on Wednesday!

Visa & Mastercard are accepted. Please contact Vacuum Records for details and assistance - by EMail, Standard Mail, Fax or Phone!


Knife Cuts - Information on Shonen Knife Recordings/Videos!


Knife Cuts! - Detailed information about Shonen Knife CDs, Vinyl and Video. Online resources for ordering Shonen Knife recordings. Facts of Interest to Knife Collectors about variations in the U.S. "Brand New Knife" and "Happy Hour"! CDs in general release. Best available info on the Shonen Knife 1997 Tour Video, "Blast Off!" (a must-have video!!!). Links to good online sources for Shonen Knife albums. Much more! Information about earlier recordings will be online soon - new changes & a better menu structure for each Section of SKLA are (like, always) in the works. To go directly to the "Knife Cuts" Section, click *HERE* - arigato!


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