KAPPA EXpress Report!

Here is my report of the first Shonen Knife 2003 show at Shibuya, Club Quattro!

I went to Shonen Knife's first live show this year on Sunday at Shibuya Club Quattro. Atsuko and Emma (Naoko's daughter) were at the CD and the T-shirt counter near the entrance. I handed some chocolate (of the grape taste) to Emma, a souvenir of recent skiing. Atsuko said Emma likes fruit, especially a grape flavor. Then, Atsuko took me backstage to the dressing room.

There, I met Naoko!

Naoko: "How are you? What's going on!?"

Mamiko: "I am interested in bowling recently! I met 17 friends from my work for bowling last week, and won the victory! However, it was a low level. My average was 121. It is a target that my bowling becomes skillful this year."

Naoko smiled: "Although I made time for bowling at the end of the year, the average did not reach 100."

Shonen Knife Fans: I (Mamiko) did 3 games of the bowling yesterday, and the average went up even to 130! I got 3 continuation strikes there. Turkey!!!

I talked about a lot of things to Naoko, and also to others. However, I said a lot too much and forget!

Naoko spoke about a "future live" show! "There is '712 Day Live' in Tokyo (Club Quattro) on this July 12. The '712 Day Live' at Osaka Club Quatrro will be on July 11, this year."

I asked: "Why couldn't the Club Quattro in Osaka be taken for July 12?" (7-12)

Naoko said, "There is a band who already made a reservation for the club from before one year or more past!"
I think, their fans of Tokyo is glad, although the fans of Osaka may be sad (for the change in their special day).

Before the Live Show started this night, the tape of the music that was flowing (Naoko's selection) was Earth Wind&Fire, KC & the Sunshine Band, Vanilla fudge, etc. This time, I failed to write down the set list! I'm sorry!

They performed "Wind Your Spring" after a long time, at this show. Atsuko's bass was very stable! However, Mana has forgotten the break of a drum on the way! When "Sushi Bar" was performed, the hall rocked with a big bang! Naoko said, "Sushi Groove was fully here tonight!" "Mushroom (Hair)Cut" was also better than in July. Also, "Sesame" and "One Week" were played after a long time, in their set.

After the show, Shonen Knife came out to the lobby, in order to help with the sale of CDs and T-shirts and they were signing for many fans. I was talking to Mana in a place distant for a while.

Mana questions me: "Guess What? What about the tonight's show? I made some mistakes again." (She expressed me as a "working Shonen Knife encyclopedia." I think that it is exaggerated.)

Mamiko: "I think that there are very few fans which might notice what the mistakes are. A mistake is not conspicuous unless the drummer stops a rhythm, but guitarist is conspicuous when mistaking a code! Your drums - everything is fine! It will be no problem even if you make a mistake."

I said: "Mana, It was the performance of 90 points today, I think! The best live after you began to participate in the band was on July 12, last year."

Mana: "July 12? Gotcha! I also think that time was good! Recently, I listened CDs again. Therefore, I was able to perform easy today."

Mamiko: "I liked "Herbs" and "Golden Years of Rock'n Roll". I'd like to perform these songs. On "Golden Years" Live, your intro is very COOL!"

Mana: "Yeah, I like these songs, too. I like "Herbs" best than "Orange Sun". It is the same opinion as you! "Golden Years of Rock'n Roll" intro is my idea.

At the last, I asked a question to Mana: "Why you called China?"

Mana: "I am often asked: 'Are you a Chinese?' It seems that my face is like Chinese people!

What a good night! I am glad when the chat between me and Shonen Knife at the shows is helpful to you, Shonen Knife Fans! More 2003 News soon!

jaa mata!

KAPPA EXpress report by:
Shonen Knife NeXus Japan Correspondent
PLKC Mamiko Nakagawa