Shonen Knife founder Naoko Yamano speaks with Paul Cashmere of Noise11 ahead of Shonen Knife’s 2026 Australian tour.
In this wide-ranging interview, Yamano reflects on the band’s extraordinary history, from their first Australian visit in 1997 to their continuing relationship with Australian audiences.
She discusses Shonen Knife’s current American tour with Men At Work and explains what it has been like introducing the band to a different audience. She also talks about the group’s close friendship with Australian band Regurgitator, following their recent Japanese tour together.
One of the major topics is the Osaka Ramones set, which Shonen Knife first performed in Tokyo in 1995. Yamano explains how the concept developed into the Osaka Ramones album and why the band continues to receive requests to perform the Ramones material.
Yamano also recalls touring the United Kingdom with Nirvana in 1991 and teaching Kurt Cobain the guitar chords to “Twist Barbie” for a secret gig.
The interview covers Shonen Knife favourites including “Twist Barbie”, “Riding On A Rocket”, “Banana Chips”, “Buttercup” and “ESP”, as well as the band’s enormous catalogue of recorded music.
Yamano reveals that she plans to write more than 10 new Shonen Knife songs by the end of 2026, with recording for the next album planned for early 2027.
Shonen Knife will tour Australia in October and November 2026, with dates across Melbourne, Ballarat, Belgrave, Hobart, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Alice Springs, Canberra, Sydney, Bathurst, Avalon Beach and Newcastle.
Tour Dates
14 October, Melbourne, The Tote
15 October, Ballarat, Volta
16 October, Belgrave, Sooki Bar
17 October, Melbourne, Croxton Block Party
18 October, Hobart, Altar
21 October, Perth, Milk Bar
22 October, Adelaide, The Gov
24 October, Brisbane, ZED51 Festival
25 October, Alice Springs, Alice Brewing Co
28 October, Canberra, Baso
29 October, Sydney, Crowbar
30 October, Bathurst, Keystone 1889
31 October, Avalon Beach, Avalon Beach RSL
1 November, Newcastle, King Street
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