Shonen Knife

For a simple idea to last rather than annoy, it's got to be a mighty good one — like, for instance, the concept behind Shonen Knife. Since the early '90s, when the band regularly opened for Nirvana, sisters Naoko and Atsuko Yamano have built their music upon rock and punk...

By Michael Roberts

November 29, 2007

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For a simple idea to last rather than annoy, it's got to be a mighty good one — like, for instance, the concept behind Shonen Knife. Since the early '90s, when the band regularly opened for Nirvana, sisters Naoko and Atsuko Yamano have built their music upon rock and punk rudiments. However, the Yamanos' chirpy vocals and absurdist lyrics, which resemble charmingly imperfect translations, twist the formula so amiably that complaints about gimmickry seem churlish. Granted, Genki Shock!, the act's latest disc on the Glue Factory imprint, doesn't exactly herald a significant change in direction for the combo. Then again, who needs different when the same is so enjoyable?

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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