Shonen Knife (w/ The Jane Anchor, Beretta 76) - North Star Bar, Philadelphia, PA. 3-8-05
After almost backing out on going 'coz of the winter storm yesterday (that is until I saw all the roads were clear), I saw a great show last night!!
The cast of characters for the show besides myself were Andy & Matt. The ride to Philly was fine. Roads nice and clear, Traffic pretty managable. We did get lost for a bit on the way to the venue but found our way. Parking was tough. We ended up on a small side street that was a sheet of ice. Walking to the bar was a challenge. We walked in around 8:15. There was only a small crowd for now. The North Star is a pretty small place. We walked right into the main room and was watching Shonen Knife soundcheck for a bit. I think we could've stayed but I found out we weren't even supposed to be in there. Damn, Wish I didn't find out! So we all went back to the bar. Matt bought me some Miller Lite beer. I was gonna gonna get that Michelob Ultra but they didn't have it. So I ended up having 3. I'll count that as my dinner last night! A line was starting to form to get in the main room so Andy and I went up.
I started talking to a guy from NYC who saw shows there and in North Jersey over the weekend. His friend was from Japan and is friends with the band. She wanted to surprise them in Philly. Andy managed to sneak back in and watch more of the soundcheck. After about 15 or so minutes they started letting us in. We went down by the stage and sat off to the side by the dance floor. Both opening bands were from Philly I believe and I enjoyed both of them. Berreta 76 I liked a bit more. A 4 piece with a chick guitarist/singer. She kinda had the Joan Jett vibe going and I enjoyed their set. The Jane Anchor was next. They were a 4 piece too. With another chick singer/guitarist and a female bassist to boot. They had more of a alternative sound. I enjoyed their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams".
After their set it was time to stand up and work our way up to the stage. We were stationed right by were the guitarist Naoko would be. They came onto the stage to a rousing cheer and were doing the devil horn salute! They kicked into their set. Couldn't believe 2 of my favorites "Twist Barbie" & "Flying Jelly Attack" were so early in the set! Then they played 4 new songs from their upcoming CD. Naoko was saying how it might be available in Japan only 'coz of some mix up with the record company. Dammit! I'd like to check it out as all 4 songs were good. One was about Spam emails!
They played 2 more of my favorites later in the set "Lazybone" & "Riding On The Rocket", but even the songs I wasn't familiar with had me tapping my toes and a big smile on my face. How can you not enjoy Shonen Knife? They have so much fun playing too, doing the chorographed moves and rocking out. Their touring drummer Etsuko kicked ass too! Goddamn did she look young! Naoko was joking she was only 13! She looked the part with her hair in pigtails. Naoko & Atsuko both looked good and have to be in their 40's by now.
They finished up with "Cobra Vs. Mongoose" that had us all rocking out! They left the stage and like the gentleman I am, I held the gate/door for them to go downstairs off stage. They came back for the encore which featured The Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated"! Such a great show! I held the door for them again when the left, hi-fiving them as they went down the stairs.
After the show we made our way over to the merchandise table. So many goodies were there! I ended up buying 2 of the 4 re-issues of their earlier albums, "Yama-no Attchan" & "712" as well as a signed pick by Naoko, 2 buttons: big & small, And a cool poster that the guy said they would sign when they came up after the show.
OK, I hate to go with stereotypes, But boy are they tiny little things! The sisters must be only 5'0" the drummer probaly 4'10"! I had Atsuko sign it first. She was friendly and all smiles. I think Etsuko doesn't understand English too well, but she was all smiles too. We had to wait a little bit for Naoko to come up but she signed it as well. Andy had gotten to tell Atsuko they were the reason he picked up the guitar and started his first band. They really were accommodating to the fans, signing everything and posing for pictures. The poster looks great! Not only do they write their names in English but Japanese too! And they each add a cute little animal face for each one! Think I'll have to frame that one.
Here's the setlist I found online for Chicago. I belive it was the same for Philly...
1. Konnichiwa
2. Twist Barbie
3. Flying Jelly Attack
4. A Map Master (new)
5. ??? (new)
6. Spam (new)
7. Spider's House (new)
8. Mysterious Drugstore
9. Kappa Ex
10. Tortoise Brand Pot Scrubbing Cleaner's Theme
11. Lazybone
12. Rubber Band
13. Banana Chips
14. E.S.P.
15. Riding On The Rocket
16. Tomato Head
17. Cobra Vs. Mongoose
Encore
18. I Wanna Be Sedated
19. Buttercup (I'm A Super Girl)
What a great show and such a good time. If they come near you go see them! You won't regret it!!
After almost backing out on going 'coz of the winter storm yesterday (that is until I saw all the roads were clear), I saw a great show last night!!
The cast of characters for the show besides myself were Andy & Matt. The ride to Philly was fine. Roads nice and clear, Traffic pretty managable. We did get lost for a bit on the way to the venue but found our way. Parking was tough. We ended up on a small side street that was a sheet of ice. Walking to the bar was a challenge. We walked in around 8:15. There was only a small crowd for now. The North Star is a pretty small place. We walked right into the main room and was watching Shonen Knife soundcheck for a bit. I think we could've stayed but I found out we weren't even supposed to be in there. Damn, Wish I didn't find out! So we all went back to the bar. Matt bought me some Miller Lite beer. I was gonna gonna get that Michelob Ultra but they didn't have it. So I ended up having 3. I'll count that as my dinner last night! A line was starting to form to get in the main room so Andy and I went up.
I started talking to a guy from NYC who saw shows there and in North Jersey over the weekend. His friend was from Japan and is friends with the band. She wanted to surprise them in Philly. Andy managed to sneak back in and watch more of the soundcheck. After about 15 or so minutes they started letting us in. We went down by the stage and sat off to the side by the dance floor. Both opening bands were from Philly I believe and I enjoyed both of them. Berreta 76 I liked a bit more. A 4 piece with a chick guitarist/singer. She kinda had the Joan Jett vibe going and I enjoyed their set. The Jane Anchor was next. They were a 4 piece too. With another chick singer/guitarist and a female bassist to boot. They had more of a alternative sound. I enjoyed their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams".
After their set it was time to stand up and work our way up to the stage. We were stationed right by were the guitarist Naoko would be. They came onto the stage to a rousing cheer and were doing the devil horn salute! They kicked into their set. Couldn't believe 2 of my favorites "Twist Barbie" & "Flying Jelly Attack" were so early in the set! Then they played 4 new songs from their upcoming CD. Naoko was saying how it might be available in Japan only 'coz of some mix up with the record company. Dammit! I'd like to check it out as all 4 songs were good. One was about Spam emails!
They played 2 more of my favorites later in the set "Lazybone" & "Riding On The Rocket", but even the songs I wasn't familiar with had me tapping my toes and a big smile on my face. How can you not enjoy Shonen Knife? They have so much fun playing too, doing the chorographed moves and rocking out. Their touring drummer Etsuko kicked ass too! Goddamn did she look young! Naoko was joking she was only 13! She looked the part with her hair in pigtails. Naoko & Atsuko both looked good and have to be in their 40's by now.
They finished up with "Cobra Vs. Mongoose" that had us all rocking out! They left the stage and like the gentleman I am, I held the gate/door for them to go downstairs off stage. They came back for the encore which featured The Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated"! Such a great show! I held the door for them again when the left, hi-fiving them as they went down the stairs.
After the show we made our way over to the merchandise table. So many goodies were there! I ended up buying 2 of the 4 re-issues of their earlier albums, "Yama-no Attchan" & "712" as well as a signed pick by Naoko, 2 buttons: big & small, And a cool poster that the guy said they would sign when they came up after the show.
OK, I hate to go with stereotypes, But boy are they tiny little things! The sisters must be only 5'0" the drummer probaly 4'10"! I had Atsuko sign it first. She was friendly and all smiles. I think Etsuko doesn't understand English too well, but she was all smiles too. We had to wait a little bit for Naoko to come up but she signed it as well. Andy had gotten to tell Atsuko they were the reason he picked up the guitar and started his first band. They really were accommodating to the fans, signing everything and posing for pictures. The poster looks great! Not only do they write their names in English but Japanese too! And they each add a cute little animal face for each one! Think I'll have to frame that one.
Here's the setlist I found online for Chicago. I belive it was the same for Philly...
1. Konnichiwa
2. Twist Barbie
3. Flying Jelly Attack
4. A Map Master (new)
5. ??? (new)
6. Spam (new)
7. Spider's House (new)
8. Mysterious Drugstore
9. Kappa Ex
10. Tortoise Brand Pot Scrubbing Cleaner's Theme
11. Lazybone
12. Rubber Band
13. Banana Chips
14. E.S.P.
15. Riding On The Rocket
16. Tomato Head
17. Cobra Vs. Mongoose
Encore
18. I Wanna Be Sedated
19. Buttercup (I'm A Super Girl)
What a great show and such a good time. If they come near you go see them! You won't regret it!!