Shonen Knife + Stop Stop Start Again - live
@ the Black Box, Belfast, 14/10/12
I didn't think I'd make this gig and had resigned myself to another boring Sunday night in front of the telly but by a quirk of fate, plus a wee text from Robbo, soon sorted that out!
By the time we got to the Black Box we had already missed the opening band (no idea who they were even) so sat back and waited in anticipation for local boys Stop Stop Start Again to take to the stage. If you haven't seen this band before, then do so! If you wanna wee taster first then pick up a copy of their 'Serge' EP from any good record shop in Belfast. SSSA are hot! They blend the post-punk sounds of Magazine with glam era Bowie (Ziggy Stardust / Aladdin Sane) to create a pretty unique style which is delivered splendidly on songs such as their opening theme tune Stop Stop Start Again, the double-entendred Banging On Your Back Door, the new-ish Super Tweed & the Denim Boys (on the forthcoming EP?), the sexually ambiguous Serge Gainsbourg and the obligatory cover of the Magazine classic Shot By Both Sides. The band have really grown in confidence over the past year (well, excluding flamboyant frontman Paul Rowan who has always been uber-confident, lol) as was evidenced during tonights short but exhilarating set. Great songs infused with humour and decadence got the crowd nicely warmed up for headliners Shonen Knife.
I have to admit to not having paid much attention to Shonen Knife over the years. This Japanese all-girl three piece have been around in one form or another since the early 80's but somehow kept passing me by. Well, I gotta tell ya, I am sooo glad that I made this gig! Shonen Knife ROCK! Big style! Think The Ramones, The Rezillo's, The Boys, The B-Girls, Shirelles, Shangri-La's etc, blend them all together, throw in a few heavy metal licks and a wee bit of head-bangin' and you'll end up with something resembling these girls! Songs about sweets, BBQ's, and rubberbands! Great covers of The Ramones Rockaway Beach and Rock & Roll High School plus the wonderful tribute to their home town Osaka Rock City make up a high-octane, fun-filled set peppered with just about every rock'n'roll cliche in the book. Absolutely wonderful. SK received a great reaction from the crowd (deservedly so), many of whom were obviously long time fans.
Two great bands, good crowd, brilliant atmosphere - what more could you ask for!
GT
By the time we got to the Black Box we had already missed the opening band (no idea who they were even) so sat back and waited in anticipation for local boys Stop Stop Start Again to take to the stage. If you haven't seen this band before, then do so! If you wanna wee taster first then pick up a copy of their 'Serge' EP from any good record shop in Belfast. SSSA are hot! They blend the post-punk sounds of Magazine with glam era Bowie (Ziggy Stardust / Aladdin Sane) to create a pretty unique style which is delivered splendidly on songs such as their opening theme tune Stop Stop Start Again, the double-entendred Banging On Your Back Door, the new-ish Super Tweed & the Denim Boys (on the forthcoming EP?), the sexually ambiguous Serge Gainsbourg and the obligatory cover of the Magazine classic Shot By Both Sides. The band have really grown in confidence over the past year (well, excluding flamboyant frontman Paul Rowan who has always been uber-confident, lol) as was evidenced during tonights short but exhilarating set. Great songs infused with humour and decadence got the crowd nicely warmed up for headliners Shonen Knife.
I have to admit to not having paid much attention to Shonen Knife over the years. This Japanese all-girl three piece have been around in one form or another since the early 80's but somehow kept passing me by. Well, I gotta tell ya, I am sooo glad that I made this gig! Shonen Knife ROCK! Big style! Think The Ramones, The Rezillo's, The Boys, The B-Girls, Shirelles, Shangri-La's etc, blend them all together, throw in a few heavy metal licks and a wee bit of head-bangin' and you'll end up with something resembling these girls! Songs about sweets, BBQ's, and rubberbands! Great covers of The Ramones Rockaway Beach and Rock & Roll High School plus the wonderful tribute to their home town Osaka Rock City make up a high-octane, fun-filled set peppered with just about every rock'n'roll cliche in the book. Absolutely wonderful. SK received a great reaction from the crowd (deservedly so), many of whom were obviously long time fans.
Two great bands, good crowd, brilliant atmosphere - what more could you ask for!
GT