Formed in 1981, Shonen Knife spent its first eight years in relative obscurity. And that's where the Osaka trio might have stayed if it hadn't been for some influential friends. In 1989, Sonic Youth, L7, Redd Kross, and a bunch of other American indie-rock acts released a tribute to the group, Every Band Has a Shonen Knife Who Loves Them. And in 1991, proclaiming himself a fan, Kurt Cobain invited the band to open for Nirvana on a U.K. tour before the release of Nevermind.

That ringing endorsement boosted Shonen Knife's popularity not just in North America but back home too. "Yes, especially as Nirvana became very big in Japan at that time," says singer-guitarist Naoko Yamano, reached at a Toronto hotel prior to a show that evening. "So everyone was very surprised at that."

Since then, the group has had its ups and downs in popularity, but it's kept a cult following by staying true to what charmed listeners in the first place an infectious joy at playing rock 'n' roll that's almost astonishing in its sincerity. So when we say that Genki Shock!, the latest Knife record to be released in North America (Fun! Fun! Fun!, a more recent disc, was released this year in Japan) won't surprise fans of past releases like 712, Let's Knife, and Heavy Songs, it's meant as a compliment. Lyrics trumpeting Yamano's obsessions, including pop culture ("Anime Phenomenon"), toys ("Giant Kitty"), the animal kingdom ("Spider House"), and food ("Broccoli Man"), along with Ramones-style power chords and chirpy vocal melodies, all appear on Genki Shock!, which is bundled up in a colourful, almost childlike package.

"I like to write about fun stuff," says Yamano. "I want people to be happy to our music."

If she sounds cheerful singing about spiders and anime on the disc, Yamano has even more reason to be excited on this latest tour. Her sister Atsuko, the band's bassist, has had little opportunity to play with Shonen Knife since moving to Los Angeles last year; this latest North American jaunt reunites the siblings.

"I feel easy and comfortable touring with Atsuko," Yamano says. "In Japan, we are playing with female support bassists. If Atsuko came back to Japan, she really would join the band. But it's almost impossible. So for this time she can play the bass for Shonen Knife, and touring is going very well."

Etsuko Nakanishi is the latest addition, and by far the most junior member of the team. "She plays very powerful drums," Yamano says. "It helps me, it makes it easier to play on the stage. And, um, also I think a young member makes the band young."

Besides new blood, Yamano's love of rock keeps her going. "I just like music," says the singer, whose current listening pleasures include '70s hard-rock bands like Rainbow and Judas Priest. "I just like rock. And also I like to play in front of Shonen Knife fans. That's why I can continue. And also many people around me have helped a lot."

Shonen Knife plays Richard's on Richards next Thursday (December 13).