Regurgitator reunites with Shonen Knife for first Japan shows in 17 years

In July 2026, Regurgitator is making a triumphant return to Japan after a 17-year absence. The band, hailing from Brisbane, Australia, is excited to reconnect with one of their most devoted international audiences and reunite with long-time friends and collaborators, Shonen Knife.

For Regurgitator, Japan has always held a special place in their hearts. Since the mid-1990s, the band has had a strong following in the country, where their unique blend of punk, electronic, and hip-hop music resonated with Japanese fans. While they maintained a consistent presence in Australia over the years, their visits to Japan became less frequent after their last shows in 2009 at the Kevrock festival in Nagano and a Tokyo gig.

Regurgitator’s manager, Paul Curtis, highlighted the band’s extensive history in Japan, having toured there numerous times in the late 90s and early 2000s. These tours were always memorable and enjoyable experiences for the band, and they are thrilled to be returning for the first time since 2009 to perform for their Japanese fans once again.

The roots of Regurgitator’s relationship with Japan can be traced back to December 1995 when they played their first club shows in Tokyo after a European tour. Despite a canceled Osaka date due to visa issues, the band quickly found favor with the Japanese audience, thanks to their dynamic and genre-defying music. It was during a visit in 1996, where they first crossed paths with Shonen Knife backstage at a Boredoms show in Osaka.

The meeting with Shonen Knife would prove to be pivotal for Regurgitator, leading to a lasting friendship and collaborations over the years. This connection culminated in Shonen Knife’s appearance at the 1997 Big Day Out in Australia and continued support from both bands for nearly three decades. Shonen Knife’s annual 712 Day celebrations have become a significant event in the Japanese music scene, and having Regurgitator join them this year adds to the excitement.

Japan has always been a strong market for Regurgitator, with their 1999 album, ‘…art,’ enjoying success on the charts and building a dedicated fan base in the country. Their performance at the Fuji Rock Festival in 2001 further solidified their reputation in Japan and led to more headline tours in the future. Frontman Quan Yeomans has fondly recalled the enthusiastic response of Japanese crowds, who can seamlessly transition from silence to energetic engagement during their shows.

The 2026 Japan tour will include sold-out shows in Tokyo with Shonen Knife and Osaka Ramones, as well as performances in Osaka and Nagoya with local Japanese acts. This tour is not just another overseas venture for Regurgitator; it symbolizes a return to a place where their musical experimentation was embraced early on, forging lasting friendships and connections that have stood the test of time. After almost 30 years since their first encounter with Shonen Knife in Osaka, the two bands are finally sharing the stage together in Japan.