Toad The Wet Sprocket in Durham

Toad The Wet Sprocket is an American alternative-rock band formed in California in 1986. The group became known in the 1990s through the albums fear and Dulcinea, and songs including “All I Want,” “Walk on the Ocean,” “Fall Down” and “Something’s Always Wrong.” In 1992, the band recorded the concert later released as Welcome Home: Live at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. After breaking up in 1998, the group resumed touring in 2006, returning to theatres and outdoor venues across the United States. In 2022, Toad The Wet Sprocket joined Barenaked Ladies on the Last Summer on Earth tour, which also featured Gin Blossoms.

Shonen Knife are a Japanese rock trio formed in Osaka in 1981 by sisters Naoko and Atsuko Yamano with Michie Nakatani. Their punk rock and power pop pair concise guitar melodies with playful lyrics, heard on albums including Burning Farm and Let’s Knife and songs such as “Riding on the Rocket” and “Banana Chips.” In 1991, Shonen Knife toured the United Kingdom with Nirvana. They supported Nirvana again on American dates in 1993, then performed on the traveling Lollapalooza festival in 1994. Shonen Knife play throughout Japan and return to clubs in the United States and the United Kingdom.