RAG Musicartist
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Charm overload! A roundup of Japanese three-piece bands (perfect for cover bands, too!)

Three-piece bands that create cool music with just three members are truly captivating, aren’t they?

Because they have fewer members, each band hones its own unique weapons to stand out.

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of those cool three-piece bands!

It’s great to discover and listen to cool bands, but if you’re in a band yourself, feel free to use this as a reference for choosing cover songs.

From legendary groups that are essential when talking about three-piece bands to some unexpected picks, we’ve got a wide range covered!

Playlist

Charm overload! A roundup of Japanese three-piece bands (perfect for cover bands, too!)
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastPhantom JokeUNISON SQUARE GARDEN
Phantom JokeUNISON SQUARE GARDENplay_arrow
The appeal and spirit of UNISON SQUARE GARDEN
2eastStay GoldHi-STANDARD
Stay GoldHi-STANDARDplay_arrow
The journey of the punk rock band Hi-Standard
3eastTwisting like a dragon, vivid mindRin to shite Shigure
Twisting like a dragon, vivid mindRin to shite Shigureplay_arrow
Shigure, a rock band with male and female twin vocals brimming with individuality.
4eastmore than wordsHitsuji Bungaku
more than wordsHitsuji Bungakuplay_arrow
Hitsujibungaku, a beautiful rock band that evokes a sense of storytelling
5eastRomeoBLANKEY JET CITY
RomeoBLANKEY JET CITYplay_arrow
Activities after the breakup of BLANKEY JET CITY
6eastCITY LIGHTSandymori
CITY LIGHTSandymoriplay_arrow
The emotionally rich rock sound of andymori
7eastRe equation10-FEET
Re equation10-FEETplay_arrow
Moving music of 10-FEET from Kyoto
8eastStart to shine and run forwardSambomasutā
Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutāplay_arrow
The passionate charm of a rock band shakes the heart!
9eastA summer afternooneastern youth
A summer afternooneastern youthplay_arrow
Pioneers of Japanese guitar rock, eastern youth
10north_eastMusicaBurandē Senki
MusicaBurandē Senkiplay_arrow
Young band draws attention with emotional music
11south_eastsea glasssutoreitenaa
sea glasssutoreitenaaplay_arrow
Straightener: A Japanese rock band that shoots straight to the heart
12eastdark; obscure; dim; the netherworld (poetic/literary)Chevon
dark; obscure; dim; the netherworld (poetic/literary)Chevonplay_arrow
Mayu Tanikinu’s rock band Chevon, with a diverse musicality
13eastGOLDPEOPLE 1
GOLDPEOPLE 1play_arrow
PEOPLE1 is a band that handles anime theme songs.
14eastjerseySabasusutā
jerseySabasusutāplay_arrow
A popular girls' band born from an online message board
15eastHow time fliesHwyl
How time fliesHwylplay_arrow
The up-and-coming modern rock band Hwyl is on the rise.
16eastioliteOmoinotake
ioliteOmoinotakeplay_arrow
A three-piece band from Shimane, a music group to watch
17eastLove songMarushii
Love songMarushiiplay_arrow
Rising in popularity from Fukuoka with relatable lyrics and music
18eastDear, boyHump Back
Dear, boyHump Backplay_arrow
The captivating sound of Hump Back with a strong rock vibe
19eastSoldiers of Februarythe cabs
Soldiers of Februarythe cabsplay_arrow
A band that plays technically proficient and original music
20eastyearning sceneoishikuru meronpan
yearning sceneoishikuru meronpanplay_arrow
The Charm of Oishikuru Melonpan
21eastLet’s fight.KOHAKU
Let's fight.KOHAKUplay_arrow
KOHAKU: a heartwarming three-piece band from Hokkaido
22eastThunderboltbazumazāzu
Thunderboltbazumazāzuplay_arrow
Ryoichi Yamada’s Buzz Mothers, Rebellious Rock
23eastIn Search of CheersMy Hair is Bad
In Search of CheersMy Hair is Badplay_arrow
A rock band whose unadorned lyrics and cries from the soul resonate
24eastred-orangeACIDMAN
red-orangeACIDMANplay_arrow
A powerhouse band that captivates with profound music
25eastFUELPetorōruzu
FUELPetorōruzuplay_arrow
The appeal of PETROLZ in their pursuit of free-form music
26eastHappy Endingback number
Happy Endingback numberplay_arrow
A band that resonates with listeners through love songs
27eastFreaking modern-day brats, worthless twenty-somethings.Yabai T-shatsu Yasan
Freaking modern-day brats, worthless twenty-somethings.Yabai T-shatsu Yasanplay_arrow
A catchy rock band from Osaka University of Arts
28eastdoting loveberry meet
doting loveberry meetplay_arrow
berry meet is a three-piece rock band
29eastdollChilli Beans.
dollChilli Beans.play_arrow
Chilli Beans., the girl band that represents the Reiwa era
30eastVoice of the Voidningen ishi
Voice of the Voidningen ishiplay_arrow
The rock band Ningen Isu is popular for its distinctive music.
31eastA Little Love SongMONGOL800
A Little Love SongMONGOL800play_arrow
MONGOL800 is a band that represents Japan.
32eastlife; livelihood; livingSyrup16g
life; livelihood; livingSyrup16gplay_arrow
The Appeal of the Alternative Band Syrup16g
33eastBecome a king.the pillows
Become a king.the pillowsplay_arrow
The journey of the Japanese rock band the pillows
34north_eastPlanet of CatsUchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai
Planet of CatsUchikubi Gokumon Doukoukaiplay_arrow
A quirky band in the style of Kobukuro
35north_eastEven when we’re apartWANIMA
Even when we're apartWANIMAplay_arrow
A high-energy band originating from Kumamoto
36south_eastCiger StoreSHANK
Ciger StoreSHANKplay_arrow
Melodic hardcore band SHANK from Nagasaki
37south_eastfloating boatGO!GO!7188
floating boatGO!GO!7188play_arrow
GO!GO!7188, a legendary band in Japanese rock
38south_eastPerfect GardenPeople In The Box
Perfect GardenPeople In The Boxplay_arrow
Heal listeners with music brimming with a sense of storytelling
39eastFrozen Madnesshachijuu hakkasho junrei
Frozen Madnesshachijuu hakkasho junreiplay_arrow
88箇所巡礼, an impressive music band
40eastWater Lily FlowerFujifaburikku
Water Lily FlowerFujifaburikkuplay_arrow
A rock band that keeps evolving even after Shimura’s death
41eastFirst day songAge Factory
First day songAge Factoryplay_arrow
The wild sound of the rock band Age Factory
42eastKNOW KNOW KNOWDOES
KNOW KNOW KNOWDOESplay_arrow
DOES's signature songs are recommended for beginners too!
43eastStarlight StarlightTRICERATOPS
Starlight StarlightTRICERATOPSplay_arrow
The appeal of the refreshing rock band TRICERATOPS
44eastTwilightHakubi
TwilightHakubiplay_arrow
An emotional all-female band from Kyoto
45north_eastMy aim is straight at your heart.SHISHAMO
My aim is straight at your heart.SHISHAMOplay_arrow
Popular as a three-woman light music band
46south_eastA fool who dances and a fool who watchesw.o.d.
A fool who dances and a fool who watchesw.o.d.play_arrow
From Kobe, the rock band w.o.d that evokes nostalgia
47eastThe Glass ThirtiesMōmō Rurugyaban
The Glass ThirtiesMōmō Rurugyabanplay_arrow
MowMow LuLu Gyaban makes distinctive music.
48eastIt is hollow.yurayura teikoku
It is hollow.yurayura teikokuplay_arrow
Yura Tei captivates with psychedelic music.
49eastMerry LouSIX LOUNGE
Merry LouSIX LOUNGEplay_arrow
The robust rock sound of SIX LOUNGE
50eastMarch 9Remioromen
March 9Remioromenplay_arrow
Ryota Fujimaki’s three-piece band, with many classic songs.
51eastHanahikariRīgaru Rirī
HanahikariRīgaru Rirīplay_arrow
The moving singing voice of Regal Lily
52eastKill meSUNNY CAR WASH
Kill meSUNNY CAR WASHplay_arrow
SUNNY CAR WASH with a lively rock sound
53eastDancing Zombieza flood of circle
Dancing Zombieza flood of circleplay_arrow
the rock-oriented musical style of a flood of circle
54eastThunderRIZE
ThunderRIZEplay_arrow
Japanese mixture rock band RIZE
55eastBravoThe Pīzu
BravoThe Pīzuplay_arrow
A punk rock band with the appeal of a distinctive singing voice
56north_eastknot; tie; bind; concludeSaucy Dog
knot; tie; bind; concludeSaucy Dogplay_arrow
Saucy Dog is a three-piece rock band that pierces the emotions.
57south_eastlovesicknesstsubakiya shijuusou
lovesicknesstsubakiya shijuusouplay_arrow
Tsubakiya Shijūsō, a three-piece rock band from Sendai
58south_eastchoB-DASH
choB-DASHplay_arrow
B-DASH is a distinctive band in Japanese punk music.
59south_eastbrilliant; dazzling; brightly shiningtacica
brilliant; dazzling; brightly shiningtacicaplay_arrow
A Japanese rock band gaining attention for its distinctive stance
60north_eastA flower called “you”Sound Schedule
A flower called “you”Sound Scheduleplay_arrow
Southcape have reunited and are continuing their musical activities.
61south_eastIt’s your fault.the peggies
It's your fault.the peggiesplay_arrow
A music band of cuteness and coolness
62south_eastThe story is a bit? unstable.N’ Shukugawa BOYS
The story is a bit? unstable.N' Shukugawa BOYSplay_arrow
The appeal of a rock band based in Shukugawa
63eastvital signsKuramubon
vital signsKuramubonplay_arrow
Clammbon, an inventive three-piece band
64eastReach me.wasureranneeyo
Reach me.wasureranneeyoplay_arrow
Unforgettable—you reach the heart with down-to-earth lyrics.
65eastMIND YOUR STEP!SNAIL RAMP
MIND YOUR STEP!SNAIL RAMPplay_arrow
A representative melodic hardcore band in the ska punk scene
66eastJet Satisfactiongitaa urufu
Jet Satisfactiongitaa urufuplay_arrow
The scorching rock of the rock band Guitar Wolf
67eastScarlet -akairo-CIVILIAN
Scarlet -akairo-CIVILIANplay_arrow
LYU:LYU changes name to CIVILIAN, emotional rock
68eastRise Abovedustbox
Rise Abovedustboxplay_arrow
Melodic hardcore of dustbox and their innovative musicality
69eastMay it be kindnessFOMARE
May it be kindnessFOMAREplay_arrow
FOMARE, the rising star of melodic punk, with down-to-earth lyrics
70eastmagicHAWAIIAN 6
magicHAWAIIAN 6play_arrow
HAWAIIAN6 started as a Hi-STANDARD cover band.
71eastBanana chipsShonen Naifu
Banana chipsShonen Naifuplay_arrow
Shonen Knife, a Japanese band popular overseas
72eastHigh Score GirlBURNOUT SYNDROMES
High Score GirlBURNOUT SYNDROMESplay_arrow
A youth rock band popular for anime theme songs
73eastMary AnnTHE ALFEE
Mary AnnTHE ALFEEplay_arrow
A legendary rock band representing the Showa era
74north_eastLOVE,BELIEVE,AGAINFENCE OF DEFENSE
LOVE,BELIEVE,AGAINFENCE OF DEFENSEplay_arrow
A remarkable feat: continuing for over 30 years since the band's formation
75north_east01joōbachi
01joōbachiplay_arrow
Queen Bee, a captivating three-piece band
76south_eastdreamkarasu
dreamkarasuplay_arrow
Rock band Karasu, from Akita to the national stage
77south_eastAt least for today.TETORA
At least for today.TETORAplay_arrow
A three-member girls' rock band from Kansai
78south_eastDiamonds Shinedizzy sunfist
Diamonds Shinedizzy sunfistplay_arrow
A rock band from Osaka, known for its exhilarating speed and powerful sound.
79south_eastTo the Frontlinesayonara poezi
To the Frontlinesayonara poeziplay_arrow
Sayonara Poesie, a promising band supported by young people
80south_eastTHE LIGHTlocofrank
THE LIGHTlocofrankplay_arrow
The success of the melodic hardcore band locofrank
81south_eastOur Eternity: A Love That Just Wants to Hold Hands, No Matter How Many Times We’re RebornWEAVER
Our Eternity: A Love That Just Wants to Hold Hands, No Matter How Many Times We’re RebornWEAVERplay_arrow
The appeal of the piano rock band WEAVER
82north_eastI Was Born To Dance With Youavengers in sci-fi
I Was Born To Dance With Youavengers in sci-fiplay_arrow
A rock band with diverse musicality
83south_eastAbiba nonnonTempalay
Abiba nonnonTempalayplay_arrow
The appeal of Tempalay, a cutting-edge psychedelic rock band
84north_eastrendezvousshaitoopu
rendezvousshaitoopuplay_arrow
A Kyoto-born band gaining attention for their emotionally rich music
85south_eastBeyond the nighttsuru
Beyond the nighttsuruplay_arrow
The afro-haired band Tsuru is popular for their lively songs.
86south_eastMoonrakerENTH
MoonrakerENTHplay_arrow
Melodic hardcore three-piece band ENTH
87south_eastFrom Count Ninefisshuraifu
From Count Ninefisshuraifuplay_arrow
A tight rock band sprinted through their youth.
88south_eastYou are alive.LOST IN TIME
You are alive.LOST IN TIMEplay_arrow
Music of the rock band LOST IN TIME
89south_eastNEVERLANDLOSTAGE
NEVERLANDLOSTAGEplay_arrow
LOSTAGE, a brother band from Nara
90south_eastNightless CityTHE PREDATORS
Nightless CityTHE PREDATORSplay_arrow
The rock band of Yamanaka, JIRO, and Takahashi
91south_eastLightly and perkyKaneyori Masaru
Lightly and perkyKaneyori Masaruplay_arrow
The appeal of a girls' rock band from Osaka
92south_eastDIARY KEYBase Ball Bear
DIARY KEYBase Ball Bearplay_arrow
Music of the rock band Base Ball Bear
93south_eastBeyond the TearsSTEREOPONY
Beyond the TearsSTEREOPONY
The Journey of the Popular Girl Band STEREOPONY
94south_eastCarry on the strugglesoko ni naru
Carry on the strugglesoko ni naruplay_arrow
A three-piece band with edgy music and high-level musicianship
95south_eastowltsubaki
owltsubakiplay_arrow
After six indie releases, Tsubaki makes their major-label debut.
96eastSophisticated LoveAnalogfish
Sophisticated LoveAnalogfishplay_arrow
A distinctive group where the band members take turns singing
97north_eastTo youBUZZ THE BEARS
To youBUZZ THE BEARSplay_arrow
Melodic hardcore rock band from Osaka, moving music
98south_east2006ma℃ister
2006ma℃isterplay_arrow
The appeal of the Osaka-born rock band ma℃ister
99south_eastLiars do as they please.Arusuteiku
Liars do as they please.Arusuteikuplay_arrow
A deep bass band from Okayama, Arstake
100south_eastDoubt first.itashimoku
Doubt first.itashimokuplay_arrow
The Success and Appeal of the Reptile-Style Rock Band “Itashimoku”
101south_eastHey, darling.tsukimi
Hey, darling.tsukimiplay_arrow
From Fukushima, the high-energy gyaru rock band Tsukimi makes their debut!
102eastUkifuneGO!GO!7188
UkifuneGO!GO!7188play_arrow
A rock band from Kagoshima with a unique musical style
103eastI’m IThis is LAST
I'm IThis is LASTplay_arrow
This is LAST’s poignant song is popular.
104eastEVERBLUEOmoinotake
EVERBLUEOmoinotakeplay_arrow
Piano rock band from Shimane makes major-label debut.
105eastThis is fine.KALMA
This is fine.KALMAplay_arrow
KALMA, a three-piece band from Hokkaido, with nostalgic and warm music
106eastGoodbye, Liarnolala
Goodbye, Liarnolalaplay_arrow
nolala, a twin-vocal female band from Kyoto
107eastyouth killerChef impair spleen
youth killerChef impair spleenplay_arrow
A new-generation humanities rock band with a deep worldview
108eastEchoBURGER NUDS
EchoBURGER NUDSplay_arrow
The youthful passion and challenges of a rock band
109eastLeaving it unknownUNFAIR RULE
Leaving it unknownUNFAIR RULEplay_arrow
The achievements and growth of UNFAIR RULE
110eastROLLER CORSTER RIDESPARKS GO GO
ROLLER CORSTER RIDESPARKS GO GOplay_arrow
A legendary band that embodies the spirit of rock ’n’ roll
111eastThere is love that never stopsammo
There is love that never stopsammoplay_arrow
ammo’s sensibility-rich rock sound
112eastMake my daythe shes gone
Make my daythe shes goneplay_arrow
The gentle singing voice and band sound are captivating.
113eastSo.yubikitasu
So.yubikitasuplay_arrow
A pop band from Osaka, with catchy hit songs
114eastCreepy-chanammo
Creepy-chanammoplay_arrow
ammo is a three-piece band with a nostalgic, friendly sound.
115easthundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake
hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotakeplay_arrow
Omoinotake is a three-member band from Matsue City.
116eastTurbulent under the autumn moonKūsō Warutsu
Turbulent under the autumn moonKūsō Warutsuplay_arrow
Music that combines a sense of speed with delicacy
117eastJapanese rice is the best in the world.Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai
Japanese rice is the best in the world.Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukaiplay_arrow
Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai: Heavy sound and unique humor
118eastbolt from the bluetaifuu kurabu
bolt from the bluetaifuu kurabuplay_arrow
A robust yet gentle three-piece rock band, Taifū Club (Typhoon Club)
119eastsentimentalyutori
sentimentalyutoriplay_arrow
Yutori launches full-scale activities in response to the buzz
120eastSpinKUZIRA
SpinKUZIRAplay_arrow
Melodic hardcore/punk band KUZIRA from Gifu
121eastwhiteoutreGretGirl
whiteoutreGretGirlplay_arrow
reGretGirl is captivating for its heartfelt lyrics and musicality.
122north_eastStay with MeHello Hello
Stay with MeHello Helloplay_arrow
The appeal of the refreshing rock band Hello Hello
123south_eastANTENNAMrs. GREEN APPLE
ANTENNAMrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
The appeal of Mrs. GREEN APPLE, a band popular among young people
124south_eastMapleYUTORI-SEDAI
MapleYUTORI-SEDAIplay_arrow
YUTORI-SEDAI is a highly empathetic love song
125south_eastWhen I feel like seeing youFish and Lips
When I feel like seeing youFish and Lipsplay_arrow
A passionate youth rock band from Hatogaya
126south_eastNanahitsujiShinario Aato
NanahitsujiShinario Aatoplay_arrow
Scenario Art’s rock fusion music
127south_eastBad peopleBLANKEY JET CITY
Bad peopleBLANKEY JET CITYplay_arrow
A 90s rock band, popular for their overwhelming sound.
128south_eastlong hairFOMARE
long hairFOMAREplay_arrow
Melodic hardcore band from Gunma
129south_eastMeiteiUtaKata
MeiteiUtaKataplay_arrow
The appeal of the next-generation rock band UtaKata
130south_eastHold meAnarogu Fisshu
Hold meAnarogu Fisshuplay_arrow
A band whose appeal lies in its two distinct vocalists
131south_eastHow to tell a lieLOVE LOVE LOVE
How to tell a lieLOVE LOVE LOVEplay_arrow
Theme song by a three-piece band from Shiga
132easthitsujigeek sleep sheep
hitsujigeek sleep sheepplay_arrow
The music of a three-piece shoegaze band
133eastGreenHouseTrack’s
GreenHouseTrack'splay_arrow
Track’s, a three-piece band from Shizuoka
134eastHelsinki Lambda ClubHelsinki Lambda Club
Helsinki Lambda ClubHelsinki Lambda Clubplay_arrow
Helsinki Lambda Club band originating from Chiba
135eastFuzzy NavelConton Candy
Fuzzy NavelConton Candyplay_arrow
A band that captivates the heart with fresh, vibrant music
136easthopeodol
hopeodolplay_arrow
Band odol with lifelike/relatable lyrics and delicate tones
137eastBLUE feat. kojikojiLUCKY TAPES
BLUE feat. kojikojiLUCKY TAPESplay_arrow
LUCKY TAPES is a musical collective formed by members of disbanded bands.
138eastI don’t know anything.BBHF
I don't know anything.BBHFplay_arrow
Rock band BBHF from Hokkaido
139eastSamaland in the eveningUlulU
Samaland in the eveningUlulUplay_arrow
A three-piece band that plays alternative rock
140eastThe world calls it love.Sambomasutā
The world calls it love.Sambomasutāplay_arrow
Sambomaster: The Fiery Torchbearers of Japanese Rock
141eastfreshly learnedkurokobu
freshly learnedkurokobuplay_arrow
An acoustic rock band inspired by yokai, Kurokobito
142eastSuicide Girlamanojac
Suicide Girlamanojacplay_arrow
The appeal of the three-piece band from Nagoya
143eastAlstroemeriakomsume
Alstroemeriakomsumeplay_arrow
Kobe-born girls' rock band komsume
144eastAnnieZūkaraderu
AnnieZūkaraderuplay_arrow
Zuqarell, a band with music that lifts your mood
145eastWhen I feel like seeing youFish and Lips
When I feel like seeing youFish and Lipsplay_arrow
A coming-of-age rock sound from a high school band
146eastBig LiarSTOMPIN’BIRD
Big LiarSTOMPIN’BIRDplay_arrow
DIY Activities and Music of Punk Bands
147north_eastInvincible VenusGO-BANG’S
Invincible VenusGO-BANG'Splay_arrow
GO-BANG’S brought a breath of fresh air to the rock scene.
148north_eastconfessionNOIMAGE
confessionNOIMAGEplay_arrow
Childhood-friend band NOIMAGE with zero musical experience
149south_eastTake Me HigherCro-magnon
Take Me HigherCro-magnonplay_arrow
Live performance, jazz-funk band cro-magnon
150eastChinese restaurantMe to Me
Chinese restaurantMe to Meplay_arrow
The meteoric rise of the dynamic rock band “Me to Me.”
151eastAdahada AlienShinario Aato
Adahada AlienShinario Aatoplay_arrow
The unique musicality of Scenarioart
152eastteenagekubi furi Dolls
teenagekubi furi Dollsplay_arrow
A horror-tinged rock band with a unique musical style
153eastLazy CrazyNOIMAGE
Lazy CrazyNOIMAGEplay_arrow
NOIMAGE is a band that delivers uplifting music.
154eastlamplightMINAMI NiNE
lamplightMINAMI NiNEplay_arrow
A melodic hardcore rock band from Miyazaki, heartwarming music