OSAKA IS Japan's third largest city. The home of the all-girl punk-pop band Shonen Knife, it nurtures a thriving independent scene - one which is, reassuringly, stuffed to the rafters with women in bands!
So the existence of an all-girl punk-pop-rock band is nothing out of the ordinary? "No," agrees Naoko, before adding with a broad smile, "But Shonen Knife are special".
And they certainly are, if rock's glitterati are to be believed. Nirvana's Kurt loves them ("I turned into a nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert") as do Sonic Youth, Teenage Fan Club and a host of others. But why? Bassist Michie thinks she has the answer.
"I think our songs are full of love and have a good time and enjoy yourself."
But in truth there's more to it than that. Shonen Knife are in a different league to most other Japanese bands.
"I think Japanese music isn't so original," Naoko muses. "Because Japanese musicians are controlled by record companies and influenced by mainstream pop bands they sound very plastic. We could never be controlled by other people. We are very independent. Creatively things are very much rock and roll."
"So we create our music or our stage costumes or our record jackets by ourselves," Michie adds proudly.
LOVE AND MUSIC
So that's where all those dinky little mix and match heart dresses come from!
There is however, a more serious side to their writing, which comes through in "Twist Barbie" with its sex-object-stereotype subject matter, and "Bear Up Bison" with its message about the dwindling numbers of the species.
What about whales?, I wonder. Japan's record hasn't exactly been exemplary when it comes to encouraging their continued existence.
Michie pricks up her ears. "I'm against catching whales. The thing is Japan used to be very poor and when I was a little child whale was the cheapest meat - I used to have lots of whale for school lunch! But lots of countries started saying don't catch whale and I agree with them. I don't want them to be extinct."
It's often hard to remember when talking to Shonen Knife that this whole thing started ten years ago and that the women themselves are currently floating around the thirty years of age mark. Despite that, Michie, Naoko and drummer Atsuko (the quiet one!) have managed to retain a freshness and enthusiasm in their attitude that shames the embittered and world weary cynical bands of the west.
"We started as music lovers and we didn't think we could be in a band so this is like a dream," Michie confides. "Since we decided to form a band, life has become very . . . brighter! Until recently we've had daytime jobs; daytime jobs are so boring but we know we had Shonen Knife for the weekends, so we could bear up with the boring jobs."
"Because the things that make us happiest are love and music." Naoko adds emphatically.
Yes, indeed.