Shonen Knife announce new UK/Ireland tour, reveal plans to record LP with original drummer Atsuko

The news arrives as we head towards the Osaka-born band's 35th anniversary. Shonen Knife have also confirmed their "most extensive" UK and Ireland tour ever.

The band have announced the info via a lengthy statement:

News!! Atsuko's comeback and the recording has started!!

It was decided that the original member Atsuko's comeback and the recording has started in the hometown Osaka.
The new album will be released in late March 2016.
The members of Shonen Knife after this new album are Naoko (Vo, G), Atsuko (Bass, Vo) and Risa (Drums, Vo).

UK/Ireland Tour from April is decided, 2016 will be very active year for the band.

For Ritsuko (B, G, Vo), she is still in her childcare leave but if she can arrange her time, she will join the band when the band will play a show like "For Leaves Clover tour" which is a special tour as 4 members of Shonen Knife, shows which Atsuko can't attend and recordings.

For Naru (B, Vo), she was a support bassist for the band but she did very good job and we decided that we invited her to Shonen Knife Family as an official member.

Naoko, Risa and Naru will play at the event produced by Guitar Wolf on 27 December in Osaka.

We appreciate your continuous support for Shonen Knife.

From all members of Shonen Knife and Atsushi of TOMATO HEAD

There are also letters from each of the five members (Naoko, Atsuko, Risa, Ritsuko, and Naru) which can be read on Facebook.

The massive tour includes shows at the Stewart Lee-curated ATP 2.0 and London's Dingwalls.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now.

April 2016

14 - Manchester – Ruby Lounge
15 - Prestatyn Pontin’s Holiday Centre – ATP 2.0 Stewart Lee Curates
16 - Birmingham – Oobleck
17 - London – Dingwalls
19 - Falmouth – Princess Pavilion
20 - Southampton – Joiners
21 - Brighton – The Haunt Resident Brighton
22 - Guildford – Boileroom
23 - Norwich – Arts Centre
24 - Colchester – Arts Centre
26 - Leeds – Brudenell
27 - Newcastle – Gateshead Sage 2
28 - Edinburgh – Summerhall
29 - Glasgow – CCA
30 - Dublin – Whelan’s

May 2016

2 - Cork – Crane Lane
4 - Liverpool – Arts Club
5 - Nottingham – Maze
6 - Leicester – Musician
7 - Bedford – Esquires
8 - Bristol – Fleece