As of 12/18/04, we have *temporarily* placed all activities for Knife Collectors, The Official Fan Club for Shonen Knife in North America, in non-active status. Fan clubs are a difficult venture - even the long-active "National Association of Fan Clubs" ended it's operations in 2003. Membership income activity was minimal in 2004, there have been problems with the printer, an unfortunate computer crash and other conditions that contributed to this decision. You can be certain that I am working to overcome these immediate problems, and to resume Fan Club activity.
(ATTN: Stacey Ash, Tom Ash & Jill Hickey: Your Fan Club membership requests received as of December, WILL be processed, and your materials will be mailed to you soon, along with some special items in appreciation for your support! Sorry - didn't receive an email address to contact you!)
With plans forming for Shonen Knife to return to the U.S. in February/March 2005 for a new tour, we can reevaluate the possibility of reopening the fan club for membership again. Meanwhile, updates on Shonen Knife's activities will continue here on the Shonen Knife NeXuS - actively supporting their creative genius, since 1996.
During their Year 2003 Tour of North America, we received reports from many Shonen Knife Fans along the tour route - you can read them here on the NeXuS in the special Fan Reports section! Knife Collectors wore their Knife Collectors T-shirts to the shows, and Shonen Knife were quite pleased to see them! Shonen Knife featured a sign at the T-shirt/CD table at each show, giving the online addresses for the Shonen Knife NeXuS & their own personal Homepage in Japan. Thanks to everyone who submitted a review of the show they attended!! It is great to share in your personal experiences with the band.
You may have noticed in the last issues of the "Knife Collectors, N. America" Newsletter, that we no longer had the logo of the National Association of Fan Clubs in the masthead. "Knife Collectors, N.A." was a member of the NAFC, since 1999. After years of reporting on, and service to Fan Clubs of every type across America - the NAFC closed up shop early in 2003, and is no longer active. For years, they provided a lot of information for Fan Clubs of every category of popular media stars, bands and personalities. They will be missed - we enjoyed and appreciated their helpful publications and updates.
In 2003, I received information that Shonen Knife would discontinue the publication of the Japanese "Knife Collectors" Fan Club Newsletter there. It seems the Internet and use of cellular phones to access online information have somewhat diminished the need for a printed fanzine there. Japan is VERY into "techie" communications - and have the best new gadgets a couple of years before they catch on in the U.S.!! There is even a popular girls clothing shop in the Tokyo area called "Do The Gadgety Baby"!!
I would recommend that you check out the special "Shonen Knife Homepage" online here, featuring Kappa-chan Mamiko Nakagawa!! Mamiko has called her Shonen Knife website, "Heartfriends of Shonen Knife", for several years now. She has many fun and interesting features there - all about Shonen Knife Life in Japan... live reports, inside information on the band members and cultural insights into the popular customs and lifestyle of Shonen Knife fans in Japan. She has been the Official Correspondent from Japan for Knife Collectors, N. America and the Shonen Knife NeXuS since 1996.
Mamiko Nakagawa is clearly the #1 Shonen Knife fan in the world, has been credited on their album releases, and has been friends with the band since the early 1990s, when she first met them in London where they were performing, during a trip she made there for a Beatles Fanclub Convention!! She is a very talented woman in her own life: she plays bass, drums and keyboards, is a fine graphic artist, very knowledgeable in matters of Broadway musicals, Western Pop music... she also plays baseball with the Yokohama Bears Amateur Team, and does a bit of magic as well! 
We are very happy to reflect on the wider popularity and appreciation that Shonen Knife have now gained in their own country! In their early days, they were thought to be a little unusual, even strange - because they didn't write and sing songs about "Love" or other popular themes that represented the "standard", even in alternative rock music. Now, they are recognized as true innovators... and their legacy as a creative force in asian music is coming into alignment with their body of creative work and years of progressive change. Music is more important than ever in times like these... and Shonen Knife continue to create some of the most joyful and smile-producing songs being recorded today. And, they continue to rock the socks off of their fans with every new album. The "Candy Rock" album is a rock classic with tuneful, memorable songs driven by the characteristic Shonen Knife powerpunk guitar sound. "Candy Rock" is japanese in "flavour", but international in appeal! Their previous release, "Heavy Songs" (2002) - is also a great album... and the Japan Times called it "the best album released by a Japanese band in years." It was released in North America, on October 14, 2003. The reason for their continuing success is simple: They remain true to their original vision, while never fearing to try out new ideas and rocket off into new space.
We are excited with the "Return of Shonen Knife" to U.S. performances. They have returned with their new configuration fully rehearsed and a powerful new body of songs, never performed here before! As long-time members of Knife Collectors know, there were a handful who claimed "Shonen Knife are Dead!" in 1999, when news of the retirement of Michie Nakataki, and the band's reorganization surfaced. Some even actively attacked the sanctioned "Knife Collectors" Fan Club, perhaps wishing to set themselves up as "Shonen Knife Gurus" - and this very small element resurfaced in 2003, upon news they would be touring in America again in October '03. However, "Knife Collectors, N. America" & the Shonen Knife NeXuS (online since 2/6/96!) continued to support Shonen Knife's legend, legacy and creative growth throughout the (5) year period since their 1998 "Happy Hour" Tour, and will continue to document the continuing adventures of Shonen Knife in the future.
Certainly, the Fan Club here in North America (which is open to fans around the globe) felt the impact of the times. When the U.S. Postal Service last raised the first class letter rates another 3 cents... this affected many small businesses who depend on the mail, and the fan club, as well. But, we have held our yearly membership dues at the original rates since the fan club first began in late 1999. Shonen Knife have worked very hard in the past year - the new lineup is solid, featuring Naoko on lead vocals & guitar, Atsuko up front on Bass Guitar and vocals (she was the original drummer, you may recall - and her bass playing style has those elements! In a word, "Funky"!) and their dynamic support drummer, Mana Nishiura ("China") - who has a powerful drumming style and has performed with many bands across Japan. Now, Mana has elected to join full-time with Japanese Rock band, DMBQ... and Shonen Knife continue as a keen-edged and powerful live band in 2005 with new support drummer, Etsuko ("Ettchan")!
My best personal wishes to Shonen Knife Freaks, Fans and Friends everywhere - and especially now in the U.S. & Canada as Shonen Knife return to North America again in 2005. In appreciating the quality of the new material from Naoko (and Atsuko) on "Candy Rock" (2003) and "Heavy Songs" (2002) - this band is still one of the best at what the world of rock music has lost over time - good time rock 'n' roll! The Golden Years of Authentic Rock 'n' Roll are alive and well today in Shonen Knife!
going bravely forward...
dewa mata,
George Ojisan, Director ~ Knife Collectors, N. America
The Shonen Knife NeXuS
As noted above, their 2002 album release "Heavy Songs", was released in N. America in October 2003. Shonen Knife released their 2003 album in Japan, "Candy Rock", in May 2003. Naoko wrote all the songs on the album, but for one - which Atsuko wrote ("Crossword"). The "Candy Rock" Tour in Japan in July '03 was very well attended as was the U.S. and Canada Tour in October! For all the details on "Candy Rock", visit the Knife Cuts Section here on the Shonen Knife NeXuS!
The release of the Shonen Knife "Millennium Edition" album came on December 5, 2001 in Japan! This album is a collection of unreleased English tracks for some of their songs only available in Japanese before, and has other gems, too! It is a "Best Of..." album, released by Universal-Victor "from the vaults". It is a beautiful package and now, you can learn, in english, what Naoko is describing in her song, "Wild Life"! Details on this release can be found *HERE*!<./font>
Burning Farm Label, the personal indie label of Shonen Knife, released a special limited-edition cassette tape to celebrate the first live show by Shonen Knife w/new Drummer Mana Nishiura, which took place on May 4, 2001. They appeared under a "secret name" for this show ("712") - but most fans figured out it would actually be Shonen Knife performing, and not 'really' a new band signed to the Burning Farm label! A big turnout of Shonen Knife Fans was reported, and the band performed (10) of their great songs:
1. KONNICHIWA (Welcome to our Show!)
This show was in Osaka at the "Fandango" showcase, where Shonen Knife performed along with a hit band from Sister/Benten Records of Tokyo, called Mummy the Peep Show (also from Osaka!), and (2) other Japanese bands: Overcoat & Starfish.
The new "712" cassette was quickly "sold out", as only 712 special numbered copies were produced, of this release! However, the U.S. Fan Club, does still have copies available for current members in Good Standing! If you're a fan club member, and have not ordered your "Power of Money" Special #'d Edition Cassingle... email us!! It contains one (1) brand new song by the band, called "The Power of Money" on Side A, and the Karoke version on Side B. (Burning Farm: BF-2CT). It is still only $7.00 U.S., the original price.
Shonen Knife recently did a remix for an album tribute to long-time Japanese Singing Star (& "51 year old cool guy!" says Naoko), Eikichi Yazawa. Many great Japanese artists are featured on this album, which is titled: "Joy Ride". Contributors include (by my best translation) Shonen Knife, The High-Lows, PM9r's, Buffalo Daughter, Eel Ale Brewer, The Neatbeats, Guitar Wolf, Sads, Takuma Tanikawa, the Collectors... and more! Shonen Knife did a remix of a hit Yazawa tune, "Hurricane". Naoko reports that the original track was "rock", but she arranged it to a "Disco" style! "It became Fun!" she says! The "Joy Ride" tribute album was released in Japan on March 28, 2001.
Payaco, Tankayo & Ei-chan from the XLNT Japanese female band, "Worldwide Love" ~ held the drawing to select the winning numbers for us on December 2, at their home in Koriyama, Japan! Ho, Ho, Ho!! "Worldwide Love" are a fine band, with a song featured on the 1999 "Wonder World Vol. I" CD produced and released by Shonen Knife on the new SK "Burning Farm" label. The song is called "Atomic Ammonite". We want to thank "Worldwide Love" for taking the time from their band rehearsal on December 2, to conduct this special drawing for Knife Collectors, N. America! Here is a cool photo of the ladies in the band, drawing the "winning numbers" from their "Box Of Fortune"!:
FIRST PRIZE WINNER: Gary Cochran ~ Salem, Oregon! Congratulations, Gary!! Enjoy your surprise! *smile*
Shonen Knife completed the recording for "Heavy Songs" in April and the album was first released in Japan, May 2002. Naoko wrote all the songs on this album, but for one - which Atsuko wrote & sang ("Whatever"). They provided fans with an updated "online studio diary" in the recording process and great fun during their studio time! You can still enjoy their progress reports in their online studio diary, (some translation from fan Mayuko) here on the NeXuS, and also, a complete translation from Shonen Knife NeXuS correspondent in Japan, Pretty Little Kappa-chan Mamiko!
Shonen Knife released a new (3) song maxi-single in Japan in Summer 2001: "Orange Sun"! For full details, please visit the Worldwide Knife News here, or the Knife Cuts Section! Previously, one song was released - as a limited edition cassette (see the following update) called "Power of Money." This track will NOT be included on the new album in 2002, so this is the only format the track is available on. The song was released to coincide with their first Live Show featuring the new Shonen Knife Drummer, whom we first came to know as China. For the information of Knife Collectors, her real name is Mana Nishiura. Before joining Shonen Knife, Mana was a member of a Benten Label band, called Droop for a time, and also played in a band called 'Rashinban', which is a pop-rock band fronted by Yamamoto-san, guitarist with the Osaka-based group, The Boredoms. The musical style of 'Rashinban', is very "Japanese Pop" - quite different from the frantic pace of the The Boredoms. We look forward to the great new live shows from Shonen Knife... with Naoko (guitar), Atsuko (bass) and Mana (drums)!
2. Flying Jelly Attack
3. Power of Money
4. Insect Collector
5. BUTTERCUP(I'm a Super Girl)
6. Sesame
7. Nya Nya
8. Wild Life
9. Riding On The Rocket
10.Cobra vs. Mongoose
Year 2000 Christmas Drawing Prizes Awarded!
~ The special Year 2000 Knife Collectors "Christmas Drawing" was a success, with the prizes "in the mail" to our winners before Christmas. Among the prizes awarded to winning Membership #'s were the 1999 Christmas single, and rare Shonen Knife Posters!
Worldwide Love pick the winners! LtoR: Tankayo, Payaco, Ei-chan!
If you were already a member of Knife Collectors, N. America ~ you were automatically "in the mix"! We discovered that we didn't have enough of the small "Happy Hour" Posters we intended to use as a prize, so we substituted a much larger, full color poster from Japan - with a picture of Naoko, Atsuko and Michie on it - which was issued to promote the "Reissue Releases" of the first (4) Shonen Knife albums there! Much more rare than the poster we had intended to use! Here are the prizes awarded and names of the WINNERS!:
*Copy of the Shonen Knife 1999 Christmas CD from Japan, "All I Want For Christmas"!
*Super-rare Virgin Records Color Poster for "Let's Knife" release! (contributed by Naoko!)
*Rare 1997 "Brand New Knife" US Tour Poster! (2-sided color)
*Rare Nov.1995 Japanese poster - promoting reissues of the 1st (4) SK Albums on CD!
*Super-collectible 2000 Rodney Alan Greenblat designed Poster: "Strawberry Sound"!
SECOND PRIZE WINNER:Tasha Avon ~ Chicago, Illinois! Great musical score here, by Bass-player Tasha!
*Copy of the Shonen Knife 1999 Christmas CD from Japan, "All I Want For Christmas"!
*Rare 1997 "Brand New Knife" US Tour Poster!
*Rare Nov.1995 Japanese poster - promoting reissues of the 1st (4) SK Albums on CD!
*Super-collectible 2000 Rodney Alan Greenblat designed Poster: "Strawberry Sound"!
THIRD PRIZE WINNER: Brian McKenzie - Brentwood, Missouri! Nice to see the creator of the original "Shonen Knife Freaks" homepage as a finalist!!
*Rare 1997 "Brand New Knife" US Tour Poster!
*Rare Nov.1995 Japanese poster - promoting reissues of the 1st (4) SK Albums on CD!
*Super-collectible 2000 Rodney Alan Greenblat designed Poster: "Strawberry Sound"!
TEN RUNNERS-UP!:
John W. Stuart ~ Durham, North Carolina
Each Runner-up was awarded one of the Super-rare Rodney Alan Greenblat-designed "Strawberry Sound" 2000 Posters! This is a very cool, full-size poster that was released ONLY in Japan to promote the new "Strawberry Sound" album there in February 2000. These posters were contributed to Knife Collectors, N. America ~ by Shonen Knife!!
We simply didn't have enough of these excellent posters to send out to everyone... so it seemed that a "drawing" would be the way to go! Winners will also be listed in the forthcoming 2nd Edition of the "Knife Collectors Fanzine" for N. America! We thank all our members in Knife Collectors for their support for Shonen Knife, worldwide... and offer our hope for Peace to each of you, your loved ones... and everyone on our planet for the holidays, and Year 2001!
Again, Congratulations to all the Winners in the Knife Collectors 2000 Christmas Drawing!!
Mons. O.H. Irwin ~ Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Ernie Lai ~ Bedford, New York
William Harper ~ Cypress, California
Bob Bagley ~ Brooklyn, New York
Thomas P. Harlan, VII ~ Tucson, Arizona
John Cole ~ Northfield, New Jersey
Dean Mentjes ~ Springfield, Illinois
Giullame Fortier ~ Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada
Donald J. Lamkin ~ Egg Harbor, New Jersey
~ Matt Czygan, Knife Collector #31 ~ has a new "Shonen Knife Tribute" section on the website of his rockin' Minnesota band, "Average Zero"! You can check out an MP3 of a song they wrote for Shonen Knife, at the "Average Zero" Home Page. Pay 'em a visit! The song rocks, in a style reminiscent of "Mr. T. Experience"!
If you got in on the first release of "Strawberry Sound" - you'll recall it was released as a "Special Limited Edition". The special Limited Edition "Tri-fold packaging" includes some great color artwork by Rodney Alan Greenblat, and a cool poster insert featuring his artwork and the song lyrics. It appears that the album is now in it's "second release" and is being seen in Japan in standard Jewel Box format. If you get your order in to one of the online sources now - you may still be able to get the first edition "limited release", but once those work through the distribution lines - they will be gone.
The "second release" features the same, great "Strawberry Sound" CD - no changes there. But, the poster has been formatted into a CD Booklet, and the colors have changed: The blue sky/pink mountain mesa (1st issue) on the cover is now a red shading, and the mountain mesa is blue! The back cover art (SK jumping on the bed) had a blue background (1st issue), which is now green. The great color pictures of SK "on the bridge" and "pouring the strawberry sound cereal" - are still there, but cropped smaller & bordered. Alas! The cool inside color artwork of Shonen Knife grooving with guitar & bongos (framed by synths & buggy bugs) is not in the 2nd release. Still, it's a great album and the new "booklet format" still features the artwork by Rodney throughout, that was in the background on the 1st edition Poster. A tip for Knife Collectors from your Fan Club... if you want the "special edition" First Issue - order your copy now, before they are no longer available. Certainly, the new CD is recommended for every fan - who would like each different release! It's a nice package, no question! Photos of the "2nd edition", and an update on this Special Notice will soon appear in the Knife Cuts section here at the NeXuS!
In earlierShonen Knife News, Shonen Knife contributed a song to a power-packed new Power Puff Girls Tribute CD! Naoko gave us first confirmation in the "Strawberry Sound" Interview. The new song is a seismic rocker in true Shonen Knife Style. Written by Naoko, the song is called, "Buttercup (I'm A Super Girl)".
You can hear their new song online! Here are the links:
Release date for the "Heroes and Villians" Power Puff Girls CD was July 18, 2000. It is now available in stores and online! Details can be found in the World Wide Knife News and Knife Cuts Sections. Tower Records featured a Power Puff Girls Front Cover & Review Article in their August edition of Tower Pulse Magazine, with a quotable quote from Naoko in the article! Tower Pulse is a free magazine, & the August edition was well-stocked in the stores the week of release, but by the following weekend - all copies locally, were gone!! Also, Issue #1 of the all-new Power Puff Girls "Powerzine", their official fanzine, hit the stands in Mid-August. Ads for the new Tribute CD grace the inside front cover and on Page 64, with Shonen Knife prominently named. The new Power Puff Girls Comic Book (Issue #7) also features the ad for the CD, with Shonen Knife named in the credits. Check it out, at the Official Power Puff Girls Homepage! By mid-September, the album was at #5 on the Billboard College Charts!
Be sure to check out the April interview with Naoko online here... it features her comments about "Strawberry Sound" - and new Shonen Knife projects.
The Fan Club provides info in the Newsletter on how to order your copy from sources in Japan who are noted for good international service, worldwide! The new Strawberry Sound Information Station is now online here at the NeXuS, and these resources will be updated there. Any future plans for a tour - will be detailed in full here, as events progress. As a tip to Knife Collectors - prices do vary in range for recordings at online CD shops & sources - we list multiple sources known to offer Shonen Knife’s catalog - because *it pays to shop around* for best prices, estimated delivery times, etc.
As we wrote in the first edition of the Knife Collectors Newsletter, it was the intent then to go ahead with the Fan Club planning, even with the announcement of Michie's retirement from the band in the Spring of '99, which made certain changes necessary and some delays inevitable. Various people went in different directions on this news - but one thing remained clear: The magic of Shonen Knife is in the music. Naoko created the concept. Atsuko and Michie implemented it beautifully.
Now, Naoko & Atsuko have moved into new musical landscapes. "Knife Collectors" will report on their recordings and future appearances to fans across Shonen Knife Planet. Those new to the sound of Shonen Knife will learn they have a wonderful history & legacy of musical creation uniquely their own. The real mission of Knife Collectors is to provide information and perspective on Shonen Knife and their continuing adventure in the new millennium, for fans who truly love their music.
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 different releases of their recordings in worldwide release, most recently being the U.S. "Brand New Knife" and "Happy Hour"! CDs. Best available info on the Shonen Knife 1997 Tour Video, "Blast Off!" (a must-have video!!!). 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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