Shonen Knife

Free Time Tomato Head/Damnably**

Over 30 years of Osaka female trio Shonen Knife (it translates literally as "Boy Knife", which is possibly a euphemism) might seem a bit too much to take. Modelled on The Shangri-Las and (particularly) The Ramones, the band have spent the three-plus decades banging out infectious, sweet-tooth music that they have described as "ooh-ooh- ultra-eccentric-super-cult-punk-pop". Inevitably, there's only so much ooh-ooh-ultra- eccentric-super-cult-punk-pop music (which includes a revved-up cover of The Carpenters' hit, Top Of The World) that a body can take, and it would be fair to say that if ever there was band that haven't moved an inch from their original blueprint it is Shonen Knife. Still, novelty is as novelty does, and if three Japanese ladies of a certain age singing exuberantly about "strawberries, banana and melon" does it for you, then be my guest. See shonenknife.net

Download track: Rock 'n' Roll Cake(punk version)