The New Album


~ April 24, 2000.

Now Online! All New Interview with Naoko Yamano:


"The Making of Strawberry Sound"



New section UP!"

"Strawberry Sound"! Fan Reviews & Comments Worldwide!


For the latest information on many new Online CD Stores.. where you may order your copy of "Strawberry Sound" from anywhere in the world, please click *Here*


The new Shonen Knife "Strawberry Sound" album was released on February 19, 2000 in Japan. The CD features (15) Tracks (plus a secret bonus track!) and represents a new future mix of Shonen Knife music! All new songs ~ composed by Naoko Yamano and performed by Naoko & Atsuko Yamano: Shonen Knife. Artwork design for the album is by famed New York East Village artist, Rodney Alan Greenblat - who is very popular in Japan for characters he created for Sony Gamestation play, as well as the Television Set Design for the "Pa Pa Pa Pa Puffy" show in Japan, album artwork and exhibitions of his works there.

"Strawberry Sound" is a direct step into the future for Shonen Knife. Exploring New Worlds. Naoko plays amazing multitracked phrasing... but always based in solid Shonen Knife style. She's got her paint set out and using every color... and it's a treat. Her guitar playing is multilayered in this mix, great stereo effects and tightly executed. "Hot Chocolate" was only the beginning, it appears. Naoko is singing in new territory, also - and her melodies are more demanding and her honesty in singing her songs... truly shines.

Atsuko was deeply involved in these sessions. Drums, vocal, percussion effects throughout, and Bass Guitar on "Mosquitoes"! Atsuko has been playing bass guitar at Shonen Knife events in Japan this past year, and does so very well, here.

A note on the album: Naoko announces "Side One!" and Atsuko announces "Side....Two!" Atsuko also does the "Side ?" for the tag ending.

"Happy Hour" was very much: "Here is our Live Stage Now!" The songs were chosen to represent a great Shonen Knife live show, on Shonen Knife Planet. "Welcome to our show".

"Strawberry Sound" is "Shonen Knife Future". During the sessions, Naoko said, "my mind is filled with my guitar....". It's exciting to a long-time fan, to hear them realize her new songs with added instrumentation ~ exploring new spaces instrumentally, and vocally. This album represents the integration of the values of "Supermix" and "Ultramix" - blending with Shonen Knife live feeling. "Strawberry Sound" is the futuristic, self-produced Shonen Knife album many were hoping for. The Year 2000 is on the wing... Beam up to Starship Shonen Knife... as we leave the bubble economies behind - and do lunch in new worlds. The Mosquitoes may be "huge" and the Black Bass that eat them "Super Big", but the Strawberries there are very good.


Shonen Knife Live Appearances 2000


  • ~ February 27, 2000: There was a Joint Instore Appearance in Japan, featuring Shonen Knife & New York Artist, Rodney Alan Greenblat, who designed the new album artwork. The special co-appearance of Shonen Knife with Rodney, was held at the Shibuya Tower Records Store at 2 p.m. Early shoppers received an "early purchase" ticket to the Joint Event when they bought the new "Strawberry Sound" CD... or Rodney's Art-related goods in either Shibuya, Shinjyuku, Ikebukuro or Kicchouji Tower Records Stores, on the release date. People who received an "early purchase ticket" from buying the CD, or Rodney's Art... were then able to exchange it for entrance to the show on the 27th in the Shibuya Tower Records Store. Any updates or accounts of this event, will be posted here.

    Please visit the Official Universal-Victor Japan Website for "Strawberry Sound" album information (in Japanese) and also - a chance to hear a Real Audio clip of "Chinese Disco" from the new album, online. There is also an audio clip of "All I Want For Christmas" on the site, as well! Los Angeles CD Stores with good import sections, are stocking the Christmas CD, and "Strawberry Sound" now.



    Interviews, Magazines, Media


    (Special thanks to Atsushi Shibata, Tomato Head Management.)

    Television appearances: (All of these are satellite programs)

    1.Station: "Space Shower TV"
    Program: Megalomaniacs
    Date: 17th February
    (already finished! But there are some repeats. Check the link, for local listings.)

    2.Station: Viewsic
    Program: Music Today Maximum Features
    Date: 21st to 25th February
    (timetable: check the link to local listings for possible repeats)

    3.Station: Vibe
    Program: Weekly JP
    Date: (check the link to local listings - different time slots on different days.)
    This program was recorded in Tokyo on February 22nd, Atsuko's Birthday!

    Magazine Articles (Japan):

    "Cutie" - February 2, 2000.
    "Rockin' On" - #3, March 2000.
    "Doll" - April 2000.
    "Indies" Magazine - April 2000.



    The Album Tracks


    Shonen Knife recorded the new tracks for their Year 2000 album, in Japan, and completed final mastering of the new "Strawberry Sound" album in New York in mid-December 1999. The recording was released in Japan, on February 19, 2000. A new U.S. Label deal is now being pursued by the band. Naoko says that "Strawberry Sound" is "like the history of great rock n roll"... because of the many diverse styles of songs. There are (15) total tracks. (and a secret bonus track). All the background information on the tracks, etc. - will be updated in this section. Here is the track listing, and other information:

    Shonen Knife ~ "Strawberry Sound"
    Universal Victor, Japan (MVCH-29043)
    Japan: Y3045 w/tax. Y2900 tax out.

    Song Titles:
    1. Side 1
    2. Buggy Bug
    3. Wild Life
    4. Nya Nya
    5. Gokiburu
    6. Super Big Black Bass
    7. CM Song
    8. Side 2
    9. Punk Rock Star
    10. Sesame
    11. Kaiki Game
    12. Chinese Disco
    13. Mosquitoes
    14. Mayonaise Addiction
    15. Synthesizer (Bubble Houkai)

    Total: 15 Tracks. (+ unlisted short extra track) "Side 1" and "Side 2" are also song titles.
    The meaning of "Gokiburu" is: "pretend like Gokiburi (cockroach)."
    "CM Song" means: TV Commerctial Song.
    "Kaiki Game" means: "Mysterious Game".
    "Bubble Houkai" means the collapse of the Japanese "Bubble Economy". In the 80s, Japanese economy was "good time", but in the '90s - it was broken... the prosperity was just like "Bubble".



    Where to order "Strawberry Sound" Online:


  • Comfort CD/Records - Good site! "Strawberry Sound - initial special package" - (per Universal-Victor) is offered there (Y3045). Mr. Ohkura communicates very well in english for fans who cannot "message" in Japanese, by EMail. They have a great stock of Shonen Knife CDs, Vinyl... the rare Shonen Knife footage in the "Kansai Underground" Video there, and the "Blast Off! Video". Currently, they do stock the new, first Shonen Knife-produced CD: "Shonen Knife Present Wonder World Vol. 1" on the new Burning Farm Label! The 1999 Christmas CD is here, as well as the Summer 1999 Shonen Knife single, "Tea" c/w "Hamigaki (toothpaste)", release date 6/18/99. If you are ordering from the U.S.A., you can pay them by International *Postal* Money Order, (da pink ones!) which is their preferred method of payment. Other Countries - their ordering policy is clearly stated in English on the web page. Good site to order from, also - if you don't like giving Credit Card #s out on the Net! Quality fast service. Highly recommended!!

  • CD Japan ~ Another great source on the Net for Japanese Import CDs to the U.S., etc. They have both "Strawberry Sound", (Y3045) and the recent "All I Want For Christmas" (Y1019) CDs. CD Japan accepts credit cards or international money order, and they deliver quickly and efficiently. Also recommended by the Shonen Knife NeXuS!

  • CD Now: - Located in the U.S., they have SK Import Inventory, including the recent re-issues of their early Japanese releases. CD Now has "Strawberry Sound" (Japan-only Import) listed at $39.59 U.S. dollars here - it's not the highest price online.. but close.

  • Amazon.com - Internet sales megalith... they have SK Import Inventory, including the recent re-issues of their early Japanese releases. Amazon.com has "Strawberry Sound" (Japan-only Import) listed at $45.99 U.S. dollars here - it's not the highest price online.. but reeallll close.

  • Tokyo Pop: - Located in the U.S., they have *Good Prices* on Shonen Knife Import Inventory. Check 'em out! Tokyo Pop has "Strawberry Sound" (Japan-only Import) listed at $32.00 U.S. dollars here - certainly a good price for an Import, by most standards.

  • Kinokuniya Bookstores - The Famed Japanese Bookstore - U.S. Locations. They do carry new Shonen Knife Import Inventory. Kinokuniya Bookstores in L.A. and New York ~ are importing "Strawberry Sound" for their stores (however there are no specific listings for CDs or music items on their websites.) Please click *HERE* for Worldwide Address listings for Kinokuniya Bookstores. With the address information listed here, you can contact your closest store to inquire about "Strawberry Sound".

  • CD Banzai: - Located in the U.S., they have an extensive SK Import Inventory, including the recent re-issues of their early Japanese releases. CD Banzai has one of the best selection of Japanese rock/Imports on the Web, by comparison to other sites in the U.S. "Strawberry Sound" is listed at $46.98 U.S. dollars here - but you are paying U.S. import prices here for this item, for sure.

  • Our Favorite Shop: - "Strawberry Sound" is listed in their inventory of Japanese Imports. (They are asking $37.00, U.S.) This CD Shop is located in Wantagh, New York... so U.S. Fans may find it easier to order "locally" within the U.S. by check, etc. - from this site. Check their ordering policy. They have other SK Inventory listed.


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