Shonen Knife's Favourite Japanese Bands -- Count Five

Japan's Shonen Knife has been playing their trademark blend of girl group pop and Ramones-style punk, with occasional elements of head-banging metal thrown in for good measure, since forming in 1981.

The group released an English version of their 2007 Japanese disc called 'Fun! fun! fun!' along with an Anglo version of the more recent 'Free Time' this summer on Goo Goo Dolls' Robby Takac's label, Good Charamel Records. Shonen Knife may be one of Spinner's fave Japanese bands, but we wanted to know who Shonen Knife founder Naoko Yamano would name for her own top five:

1. Convex Level

The most recent album from this trio is last year's 'New Moon 1st Contact.'

"They are inspired by XTC. Early albums are so good. They are based in Kyoto, close to our hometown of Osaka. In the '90s they released their albums through Sony Music in Japan."



2. Yellow Machinegun

This group formed in 1993 and has released five full-length albums, with the most recent being 2002's 'Yellow Bucket.'

"All-female three-piece band playing death metal. They are from Osaka. They had four years off, but this spring they restarted."



3. Acid Mothers Temple

The full name of this psychedelic rock collective, which has had many offshoots since guitarist Kawabata Makoto formed it in 1995, is Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.

"A kind of noise band. I like the guitarist's Japanese blog."



4. Papalion

"Nice sound."



5. Watusi Zombie

This energetic and fuzz-happy Osaka garage rock trio formed in 1997 -- and, like The Doors, doesn't have a bassist.

"Band character is fun!"