A legend in their home country and worldwide, Shonen Knife is an all-girl pop punk outfit that formed in Osaka three decades ago. From their first release to gain mass appeal outside of Japan (1992’s Let’s Knife) it was readily apparent where the band drew its influences. This Japanese three piece, with their simple chords and lyrics drew heavily from a range of Western influences, including girl groups, garage and punk rock, most notably the Ramones.
In fact, they have often been considered the Japanese counterpart to the Ramones, even occasionally performing over the years as a tribute act under the name Osaka Ramones, making it entirely fitting that on their latest album, also bearing the title Osaka Ramones, the band heralds 30 years of great lo-fi punk rock with an album composed entirely of Ramones covers.
Co-produced by Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, the album is slick, but it never forgoes the raw lo-fi sound distinctive to both Shonen Knife and the Ramones. Shonen Knife has built their lengthy career breaking away from typical Japanese pop, and this album is no exception.
As would be expected, the girls (fronted by guitarist Naoko Yamano, the only original member of the trio) chose 13 tracks that comprise many of the Ramones best known songs, including “Blitzkrieg Bop” , “Rock and Roll High School” and “Beat On The Brat” . What’s entirely unexpected is the freshness that the girls bring to these classic tracks. They’re not simple Ramones covers by a band heavily influenced by the Ramones, they’re often fresh looks at songs that many of us have learned inside and out.
“She’s the One” sounds even more like a classic girl group song than even the Ramones managed, with a extra element of surf-styled garage guitars , while “We Want the Airwaves” sounds a little grittier than the original . This isn’t a cutesified rehash on the Ramones at any time, it’s a new look at songs that the members of Shonen Knife grew up on along with the rest of us. Even so, many songs, like their popped up version of “Beat on the Brat,” come across as incredibly cute, as does the way Naoko’s thick accent comes out when she belts out “Britkrieg Bop!” on the song of the same name, and in the way she belts the “Gabba Gabba” intro on the bands choppy punk version of “Pinhead” .
“Psychotherapy” and “We’re a Happy Family” are revved up and raw, and “Chinese Rock” is dirty and tricked out with some exquisite guitarwork, showing that the band isn’t simply a silly pop punk band, they demonstrate some serious chops. At the same time, you have to smile at the thick accents, and the overwhelming happy vibe that the band injects into classic songs, and while it may feel wrong, you’re going smile and dance along to the way Shonen Knife has taken “The KKK Took My Baby Away” one step further, turning it into even more of a Beach Boys influenced classic with harmonized vocals than the Ramones did the first time around .
The Ramones will always be one of my classic first loves, and this record is a perfect tribute to a band that helped create punk rock as we know it in the states. For a band that captured the attention of so many cutting edge American musicians, from Nirvana to Sonic Youth, it’s great to hear them repay the favor, recording songs that got them into their groove in the first place. It’s true to the spirit of the band that paved their way and I know Joey would approve.
Osaka Ramones
Track Listing
1. Blitzkrieg Bop
2. Rock and Roll High School
3. We Want The Airwaves
4. She’s The One
5. Rockaway Beach
6. Sheenah Is A Punk Rocker
7. Scattergun
8. Psychotherapy
9. The KKK Took My Baby Away
10. We’re A Happy Family
11. Chinese Rock
12. Beat on the Brat
13. Pinhead
Release Date: July 19, 2011