Naoko Yamano remembers Osaka’s punk beginnings and the tribute album that reached Redd Kross
Transmission 403: Interview with Shonen Knife
Naoko started Shonen Knife in Osaka in the early 1980s, having grown up on the Beatles before late 1970s punk pop from the Ramones, Buzzcocks (read our interview with Buzzcocks) and The Jam rewired her sense of what a band could be. Osaka never had much of a scene to speak of, so the group found its footing playing shows in nearby Kyoto instead. By the end of the decade, word had reached Los Angeles: a fan there assembled a tribute album, pulling the band into the orbit of Redd Kross, who wrote a song called “Shonen Knife” in return for one titled “Redd Kross.” Kurt Cobain caught a Los Angeles show in 1991 and became a fan; Shonen Knife joined Nirvana on that year’s UK tour, watching Cobain give everything to the stage every night.
Artist: Shonen Knife
Release Date: 2026-07-10
Genres: Indie Rock, Pop-punk, Punk Rock
Label: Good Charamel Records
Description: Shonen Knife's Naoko Yamano talks Nirvana, sisterhood and Let's Knife Re-Cut, out July 10 on Good Charamel Records.
Naoko’s sister Atsuko, once the band’s drummer, later returned on bass, a sibling reunion Naoko describes as effortless given how closely their musical instincts align. Lyrics come mostly in English, which Naoko treats as rock music’s native tongue, with occasional detours into Japanese, and tend to start as notes jotted down during an ordinary day rather than anything more deliberate. This year, at Robby Takac’s suggestion, the band went into a studio in Buffalo to re-record Let’s Knife, a cult album that has been out of print for decades with no reissue or streaming release, emerging with a version Naoko calls the Re-Cut and says finally sounds the way the songs were meant to.
What drew you to start a band in the first place, and what was the music scene like around you at the time?
I wanted to do something fun and creative when I was a teenager. I’ve been listening to and was a fan of the Beatles at that time. After that, late ’70s punk movement was happening and I was very inspired by bands like Ramones, Buzzcocks and The Jam. They were not only punk but pop. Their music inspired me to start a band. There were many underground bands in my home town of Osaka in the early ’80s. Because Osaka is a big city, there are various kinds of bands but there isn’t a solid music scene. There was a punk scene in Kyoto, close to Osaka, and so we often played in Kyoto, too.
How did your early influences find their way into the music you were making?
I listened to American and British rock music. I was mostly influenced by the Beatles and late ’70s punk pop bands, but I also enjoyed hard rock and pop bands too. I listened to ’60s and ’70s music a lot. That style is still alive and I can find “new” old bands via the internet these days. I’m still influenced by various kinds of music.
There was never a re-release or streaming. So this became a great chance to re-birth Let’s Knife.”
—Naoko Yamano
How did the band’s relationship with American underground music develop in the early days?
We had a tribute album dedicated to us! Every band has a Shonen Knife Who Loves Them that was released in 1989. A guy in Los Angeles named Bill planned that album. It was built around the scene around Redd Kross. The relationship with Redd Kross was fantastic for me. They wrote a song called “Shonen Knife” and I made a song called “Redd Kross.”
What was it like to suddenly find yourself on tour with Nirvana? How did Kurt Cobain’s enthusiasm for your music affect the band?
Kurt said that he came to our show in Los Angeles in 1991. I am very honored that he loved Shonen Knife. When we got an offer to tour with them, I didn’t know who Nirvana was but their music was great and we decided to tour with them. It was the 1991 autumn UK tour. I watched their performance every night. Kurt gave it his all on stage every night and I was deeply impressed. His attitude affected me. Thanks to him, we got a chance for many people to find us.
Suffice it to say, the new Let’s Knife became more ROCK!”
—Naoko Yamano
What does Atsuko’s return to the band mean to you personally?
She used to be our drummer for Shonen Knife and returned as a bassist! Playing with my sister is very comfortable for me. Her musical influences are very similar to mine. It is great because she understands cool music without much effort. But not only playing music, she also makes cool stage costumes and sometimes draws the pictures for our T-shirts. Other than the band, we play tennis a lot. It is fun, too.
How do you approach writing lyrics, and where do your ideas usually come from?
For me, English is the language for Rock Music. I’m trying to write lyrics in English. Since I am Japanese, I write some lyrics in Japanese, too. The topic of my lyrics is usually from my daily life. When I find interesting things during my daily life, I write down the key words and expand it when I write lyrics.
What does playing an Osaka Ramones set feel like compared to a regular Shonen Knife show?
Playing songs of my favorite band is always fun. It is like half performance/half fan. For Shonen Knife, I’m a full musician, performer, creator and I have to prepare for lots of tension and concentration but I still have a lot of fun.
Kurt gave it his all on stage every night and I was deeply impressed. His attitude affected me.”
—Naoko Yamano
When Robby Takac suggested re-recording Let’s Knife, what was your first reaction?
I reacted “Wow! What a great idea!”. Many songs from Let’s Knife are still played very often at our shows and popular for our audience but it is impossible to find the album. There was never a re-release or streaming. So this became a great chance to re-birth that album.
What was it like returning to those songs after so many years?
I’m happy to record Let’s Knife songs with Shonen Knife’s current members. We have been touring many times together and the sound of our performance is really tight. The recording session went very well.
For me, English is the language for Rock Music.”
—Naoko Yamano
How did recording in Buffalo in 2026 feel different from the original sessions?
The original sessions reflected our producer’s intentions a lot. There was a bit of a discrepancy with what we hoped the songs to be. Now with the Re-Cut, we made the album that I am very much satisfied with.
What did you want to preserve from the original Let’s Knife, and what did you want to change?
I don’t think much about that. I’m just thinking that I will be happy if people get happy through our albums. My hope is always the same. Suffice it to say, the new Let’s Knife became more ROCK!
Outside of music, what has shaped your thinking or creativity over the years?
“Everybody get Happy”. I’m happy if people get happy through our music and I get happy to see people get happy. And the feeling of “I love ROCK music”.
What are you working toward next?
I would like to write new songs and make a new album!
Photos courtesy of Shonen Knife
Matteo Damiani is an Italian photographer and author. Curator of the sites Retrofuturista.com; weirditaly.com; china-underground.com and others
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