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Beat Street

By Todd S. Inoue

Three Hearts Are Better Than One: Shonen Knife

Twistin' the Knife:
Shonen Knife goes label shopping

Next to Los Angeles Dodger Hideo Nomo, the three women of Shonen Knife may be Japan's coolest goodwill ambassadors. The Osaka punk-pop trio--drummer Atsuko Yamano, bassist Michie Nakatani and guitarist Naoko Yamano--were in the Bay Area for a gig at Slim's in San Francisco on Dec. 14. This interview with Naoko Yamano took place the afternoon following the show. Later in the day, the women participated in a "cyberchat" at the Hotwired offices in San Francisco.

With no new album out, what brought Shonen Knife to America?

Naoko Yamano: We are looking for a new record deal and new management, so it was a showcase tour.

What happened to Virgin Records?

NY: Virgin worked hard for Shonen Knife. At the end of last year, our contract ended, and we didn't make a new contract. Our Virgin management company guy [Page Porrazzo] was also our producer. He worked hard for us. He liked keyboard/computer music, but Shonen Knife liked the basic guitar sounds.

So did Page want to incorporate keyboards into the Shonen Knife sound?

NY: He wanted to, but we rejected it. His tastes are '60s/'70s. He wanted to be George Martin or Phil Spector and wanted us to be like the Ronettes. But we're a punk act!

Have you chosen a label yet?

NY: I think we're 90 percent sure of the company, but it is a secret.

Does the new album have a title?

NY: We do not know, but if you have any ideas, please tell us!

The Ramones are a big influence on Shonen Knife. I guess you heard they broke up.

NY: On Nov. 1-2, the Ramones came to Japan, and Shonen Knife opened up for them. It was the last time for the Ramones to play Japan. We were very happy. After the show, we talked with them. They are very kind people. We talked to them about how we're looking for new management, and they advised us a lot. Ramones are our heroes, so I am very sorry the Ramones are breaking up. Their music is forever, I continue to listen to music.

What do you think of Green Day?

NY: I like Green Day very much, but our roots are with the Jam, the Buzzcocks, the Kinks, the Who and the Beatles. We don't have any particular influences from any new bands.

Tonight you have a live Internet Q&A cyberchat with HotWired. Have you done something like this before?

NY: I've done it at Lollapalooza. I did it at Macintosh computers tent. Inside the tent I talked with people. I talked with a man from Germany. The monitor showed the guy's face from a digital scanner. It was so fun. It was first time for the computer chat.

Do you have an email address?

NY: Not yet, but I am very interested. I use a computer for games and word processing and graphics. I want to get on the Internet as soon as possible.

I know you're a video game addict. What is your favorite game right now?

NY: My favorite right now is Jewel Box.

Any message to Shonen Knife fans?

NY: We'll record a new album in February or March and it will come out in June or July. Please wait a little more, and please listen to our back catalogue!

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