Many fans have interesting stories about how they first discovered Shonen Knife and their music. I met Shonen Knife for the first time in London in 1992! I had gone there on a tour with the Japan Beatles Fan Club members, and SK just happened to be performing in London at that time, also. So, I was able to meet their manager, Mr. Page Porrazzo, and he invited me to meet them. I had lunch with them and it was a very happy, pleasant time for me, to meet them personally for the first time.
I have seen them many times since then, and have helped with t-shirt sales at their shows & other projects for them, too. Here is the story of my first discovery of the band:
I have known Shonen Knife (SK) since about 1990 - but at first I thought them to be an English Japanophile Boys Band. During the winter of 1991, when I checked the "R" index at an import record shop in order to find "Shade in Bed" by (British Pop Group) RECORDS, I caught sight of the colorful sleeve next to it. It was the "Pretty Little Baka Guy" album. "What a cute sleeve!" I thought, and I looked at the back of the sleeve. I was VERY surprised to see they are Japanese, and that all of them are girls! I suspected that Shonen Knife was popular among foreign countries. But, soon I was interested... and bought it. As soon as I heard the first tune, I thought, "How is that for simple"? I could remember the music of these artists more than a thousand who have much better techniques. I went on to listen to their songs, and I had favor with "ICE CREAM CITY", and was surprised at the lyric of "RIDING ON THE ROCKET!" (the Japanese lyric is exquisite!) "KAPPA EX" made me crazy! I thought deeply... that it is important to enjoy music without technique. Actually, in the Japanese character, to play music is to enjoy music!
Some days passed, then I found information of the next show of Shonen Knife in a magazine. I got the ticket with no conscious thought. (I can't remember how I got it!) That day, as I got up and arrived early, I could enter at the Club Quattro Shibuya without making the line. I hesitated over which position to choose: the front of guitarist - or bassist. At last I decided to take the side of guitarist because I rarely had seen a female guitarist. I was standing in the front row of guitarist (Naoko). I was surprised that more than half of the audience were foreigners! Is here, Japan? This night's show is by far - most impressive I have seen. Everything with Shonen Knife and me, started from here! I love Shonen Knife now and forever....
Naoko remembers our first meeting. Naoko said. "When we met you for the first time in London, you showed magic. Ten years have already passed from that. It (the magic) was felt very much early."
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