Final Update: June 8, 1997. The information remains posted here, as it was at the conclusion of the 1997 Tour. If any retro updates from this specific tour are forthcoming - they will be noted here.
Shonen Knife have completed their 1997 North American Tour - their best to date! They performed in 29 cities in the United States and Canada, and did numerous "in-store" events along the way, meeting and talking with enthusiastic fans in the cities where they were to form. The group played many of their favorite old songs and many new songs from Brand New Knife, their new U.S. album! It was a great opportunity for fans in the cities along the tour route to see the band that continues to define what it means to play great rock music with pure joy and cutting-edge savvy! Reports from many first-time and seasoned SK Fans along the way, clearly indicated that the high levels of joy and fun that their performances bring out in people - are as strong as ever they were! You can read these personal accounts from fans who were "wowed" by the band at the tour stops, in the Shonen Knife Newsgroup, the Official "Planet Knife" Homepage Message Board, the Heartfriends of Shonen Knife Homepage in Japan - and other dedicated Shonen Tribute Home Pages - all of which may be found in the links on the Main Page here at shonenknife.com!
On May 16th, 1997 - I journeyed from Los Angeles down to San Diego to catch the Shonen Knife show at the Casbah. For a complete review of this performance: Click *HERE*!!
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It was Shonen Knife Day in L.A.! Some good publicity appeared in the local press announcing their show (their first ever at the House of Blues here in Tinseltown...). "Entertainment Today" named this show the "Pick of the Week", and Dan Epstein wrote in the L.A. Weekly: "God Bless Shonen Knife! ...Naoko, Michie and Atsuko have bounced back with "Brand New Knife", a joyous collection of 13 songs (the CD adds seven Japanese-language bonus tracks).... Their giddy live show, which features matching outfits, goofy head-banging, Naoko's wicked fuzz-tone solos, and "devils horns" handsigns flashed as if Satan himself was a Sanrio character - is simply not to be missed!"
To read a complete review of the day's activities and the great performance that Shonen Knife gave at the House of Blues in Hollywood for the closing show of their 1997 North American Tour: Click *HERE*!!
Here is the Official Message from Shonen Knife to their Fans on the Internet - as Naoko Yamano released it through Kappa-chan Mamiko Nakagawa on March 25, 1997! - when they announced their 1997 North American tour! Now that the tour is completed, the Tour Information will remain here, for informational purposes - until further notice:
Hello!
How are you doing? Shonen Knife is doing well. As you can see from enclosed tour date, we are coming to the U.S. and Canada in April and May. We are very excited with this coming tour! We are going to play lots of new songs and old songs. Speaking of our new songs, we recently released our new album from Big Deal. Our new album is called Brand new Knife! We hope you'd like our new sound, and this sticker is the same design as the CD jacket.
Please let your friends know that Shonen Knife is touring in the U.S. and Canada again and come to see our live show!
SHONEN KNIFE:
We are looking forward to this tour very much.
Take care.
naoko yamano
atsuko yamano
michie nakatani
Date City Venue Information
9 Apr Fullerton, CA Cal State (Students - Noon Outdoor Show - free!) *Report: SK rocked the College fans at Becker Ampitheater in a "windy" outdoor show. They wore the "Panda Look" outfits - played in "Top Form"! (Thanks, Baba!)
9 Apr Santa Ana, CA Galaxy Concert Theatre 3503 Harbor Blvd., 8 p.m. -Tickets/Dinner Resv: (714) 957-0600 *Report!: Great Show! See (thanks!) Mark's SK Page for playlist/review, and Super-fan Joel Boucher's SK Page for reviews of ALL FIVE California Shows!
10 Apr Sacramento, CA El Dorado Theatre 6309 Fair Oaks Blvd., a/a $12.50/$15 .00 - 7/7:30 p.m. (916) 486-1666. w/Subminiature Radio, Cockeyed Ghost.
11 Apr San Francisico, CA Tower Records In-store Appearance! *Report: SK did a LIVE In-store & played 3 songs to about 150 people! "Loads of fun!" They signed autographs, & the line wound around the store!! (Thanks, Jon!)
11 Apr San Francisco, CA Slim's 333 11th St., SF $12.00 - 9 p.m. (415) 522-0333 / Copresenter: KITS 105.5FM - call 415/512-1053 to request "E.S.P." on Playlist w/Cockeyed Ghost & Subminiature Radio. *Report!: Live videos on huge screen preceded show. SK played 90 minutes, & were applauded back for (2) encores! They "rocked the house & obviously had a good time!" (Thanks, Jon!).
12 Apr Santa Cruz, CA Palookaville 1133 Pacific Ave., SC Age: 16+ , $11.00 - 9 p.m. w/Subminiature Radio, Cockeyed Ghost.
14 Apr Eugene, OR Wow Hall 8th & Lincoln, (541) 687-2746 / Copresenter: KNRQ-FM 95.3 (info only) - call 541/342-7096 request "E.S.P." on Playlist w/Pluto, Cockeyed Ghost. $10.50, $12.
15 Apr Portland, OR La Luna 215 SE Ninth Ave., Portland - (503) 241-LUNA. Copresenter: KNRK-FM 94.7 - call 503/223-1441 - request "E.S.P." on Playlist. w/Pluto, Cockeyed Ghost. $8.50, $10.
17 Apr Seattle, WA RKCNDY 1812 Yale - 623-0470 - w/Cockeyed Ghost/Pluto (See BNK Review from Backbeat!) $11.50, $15.
18 Apr Vancouver, BC Graceland 1250 Richards St. - (604) 688-2648. w/Pluto, Cockeyed Ghost. $13.50.
19 Apr Victoria, BC The Limit 1318 Broad St. - Info: (250)384-3557. Radio: CKKQ-FM - The Q! Call (250)475-0100 to request "E.S.P." on Rockline! w/Pluto, Cockeyed Ghost. $15, $17.
21 Apr Edmonton, AB The Rev Cabaret 10030 102 St. - (403) 424-2745 . Home of World's Largest Shopping Mall! w/Pluto, Cockeyed Ghost. $12.50.
22 Apr Calgary, AB The Republik 219 17th Ave. S.W. 244-1884 - Radio: CJSW 90.9FM - UCalgary Radio. w/Pluto,Cockeyed Ghost. $11.50.
24 Apr Fine Line Music Cafe 318 1st Ave. N. -Info: (612)-338-8100 Fax:(612)337-8416. Radio: KBEM-FM ! Ticketmaster Tix: $10, 12. w/Pluto, Splitsville. HOT TIP: Park in public garages on 2nd Ave: only $2-3, walk 1 blk to Fineline.
25 Apr Chicago, IL House of Blues 329 N. Dearborn, Showtime: 6:30 p.m Tix: $12 - (312) 923-2000 - w/Pluto, Splitsville. Copresenter: WRCX-FM 103.5 - request "E.S.P." on Playlist! Special Appearance on Mancow in the Morning Radio Show in the works! Copresenter: JBTV on WCIU TV-26 (Sat., 1 am!) Host: Jerry Bryant! Also, WEJE-FM, Ft. Wayne!
26 Apr Detroit, MI Majestic Theatre 4140 Woodward. 8 pm. Info:(313)833-9700. Tix: $12. "Prism & Ritual welcome Shonen Knife!" All Ages Welcome! w/Pluto, Splitsville.
27 Apr Toronto, ONT Opera House 735 Queen St. E., Tix: $12, All Ages - Doors: 8pm. w/Pluto, Splitsville.
29 Apr Ottawa, ONT Barrymore's Music Hall 323 Bank St., Tix: $12 - Doors: 8pm. w/Pluto, Splitsville.
30 Apr Montreal PQ Foufounes Electriques w/Pluto, Splitsville. $16.50 - Info pending.
1 May Boston, MA Paradise w/Pluto, Splitsville. $12 - Info pending.
2 May Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts Tickets now: $10.25. Day of Show: $13.00 - Phone orders: $12.75 call 215/922-1010. Box office: noon-6pm EST. w/Pluto, Splitsville.
3 May New York, NY Irving Plaza w/special guests: Pluto & Splitsville! Tix: $12.50 - On Sale Now!! For more info call: 212/777-1224! Click on the link & visit their website! Special Contest to Win Shonen Knife CDs! For Contest Info, Click *HERE*!!
5 May Washington, DC 9:30 Club w/Pluto, Splitsville. $12 - Info pending.
6 May Atlanta, GA Masquerade w/Pluto, Splitsville. $12 - Info pending.
7 May New Orleans, LA House of Blues 225 Decatur. Concertline/Tix: 529-BLUE. w/Pluto, Splitsville. $10
9 May Houston, TX Urban Art Bar 112 Milam. w/Pluto, Splitsville. $8, $10. Info, call: 713/225-0500
10 May Dallas, TX Galaxy 2820 Main St. For detailed info: (214) 7GA-LAXY! w/Pluto, Splitsville.
11 May St. Louis, MO The Galaxy 1227 Washington Blvd. w/Pluto, Cockeyed Ghost. $6, $8. Local Radio: KDHX FM88.1 - Call to request "E.S.P."!
12 May Kansas City, MO The Hurricane 4048 Broadway. Phone: 816/753-0884. - (Note: In-store appearance scheduled for Shonen Knife at the Music Section of Barnes & Nobles Books, 420 W. 47th Street, KC, MO! This pre-show event happens 5:30-6:30 p.m. Vinyl LP copies will be awarded in a raffle! Call 816-753-1313 - ask for Nate, for info!) - 8:30 p.m. show at The Hurricane also features Pluto, Cockeyed Ghost.
14 May Boulder, CO Fox Theatre (across street from CU Boulder Campus): Tickets: 303/443-3399. $10, $12. - w/Pluto, Cockeyed Ghost.
16 May San Diego, CA The Casbah 2501 Kettner Blvd. Tix/Info: 619/232-4355 - Directions - 8:30 pm. w/Pluto, Cockeyed Ghost.
17 May W. Hollywood, CA Tower Records, Sunset! 8844 Sunset Blvd. - Special Event! Shonen Knife In-store appearance at 1:00 p.m.! Meet Naoko, Atsuko, and Michie at this very special event! Pick up a copy of "Brand New Knife" & *perhaps* they will sign it for you!! Don't miss this!
17 May W. Hollywood, CA We Got Power Films If you are attending the House of Blues show tonight - and would like to be interviewed regarding your affinity for the band for the official documentary video of the 1997 Shonen Knife Tour (slated for home release!) - BE in front of the House of Blues, 8340 Sunset Blvd. at 5:00 p.m. TODAY! This is Shonen Knife Day on Sunset, in HOLLYWOOD!
17 May Los Angeles, CA House of Blues 8340 Sunset Blvd., W. Hollywood. Tix: (213)650-0476 $15 - 9 pm. w/Cockeyed Ghost & Pluto. This is the *BIG* Final Show of the 1997 North American Tour! BE THERE!
For more information on recent Shonen Knife shows and performances in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan - please *click* *HERE*!
For *important* information on the release of the latest Shonen Knife album in the U.S., please *click* *HERE*! Also included in the Knife Cuts Section: Information on how to order the new CD.
1996 - MCA Victor, Japan - photo of Shonen Knife from Japanese edition of Brand New Knife.
All images used w/o profit motive by SKLA, for the introduction of Shonen Knife music around the world!
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