A 90s girls' band. A popular Japanese band.
In the 2020s, all-female bands are thriving in Japan across pop, rock, and metal scenes.
Back in the 1980s, during the band boom, groups that dominated the mainstream—like Princess Princess and SHOW-YA—also emerged.
So what kinds of girls’ bands appeared and flourished in the 1990s? While there weren’t as many as there are today, there were a great many distinctive bands.
In this article, we’ll focus on the history of 1990s girls’ bands, including those formed in the late ’80s and those still active today!
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90s girl bands. Popular Japanese bands (21–30)
COLDSWEATTHE NEWS
THE NEWS is a rock band known for its energetic, no-nonsense sound.
Formed in 1985, they gained attention after appearing on the music program “Miyake Yūji’s Ikasu Band Tengoku.” Stylish women delivering gritty rock ’n’ roll—their looks and musicality combined to win over many fans.
This is exactly what “cool women” means.
Another hallmark is their many socially conscious songs.
They’ve released numerous timeless classics that still electrify listeners today.
Invincible VenusGO-BANG’S
The girls’ band GO-BANG’S from Hokkaido is known for vocalist Kaori Moriwaka’s energetic, smile-filled performances and bright melodies.
Following “Aini kite I NEED YOU!” they also scored a hit with “Muteki no Venus.”
Pinball PartyThe 5.6.7.8’s
The 5.6.7.8’s are a three-piece girl band known for performances that make you want to dance.
In addition to YOSHIKO’s husky vocals, SACHIKO’s powerful drumming and OMO’s high-caliber bass have earned high praise overseas.
They also appeared in the film Kill Bill, playing the roles of band members.
Shikakete MotionTWIGGY
TWIGGY burst out of the campus scene in the late ’80s with upbeat, irresistible charm! Formed in 1986 by students from the Kansai region, they were a girls’ rock band that drew attention with a sound blending J-pop and rock.
In March 1990, they made their major debut with the single “Shi-Ka-Ke-Te Motion” and the album “Love Somebody.” Their follow-up tracks also reached mainstream audiences: “Uwasa no BAD GIRL” was used in a car accessories store commercial, and “Pole Position” featured in a job listings magazine ad, while “Prom,” which closed out a TV program, was also popular.
Energetic performances, catchy melodies, and lyrics reflecting a female perspective were their trademarks.
Although they disbanded around 1991, they left a vivid impression on the early ’90s music scene.
If you want to rediscover their brilliance from that era, be sure to check them out!
JulianPRINCESS PRINCESS
PRINCESS PRINCESS is a band that holds a lot of personal memories for me.
The first time I saw them live was before they broke big, when a friend invited me to a show at a live house in Kyoto.
I remember being instantly drawn in by their vocals, performance, and songs, and buying a CD at the merch booth.
After that, they skyrocketed in popularity! I remember how they grew from the band I first saw at a small venue to one that could pack out a solo outdoor show by summer not long after.
In that wave, the band boom of the ’90s took off, and at amateur band events and school festivals back then, there were tons of PRINCESS PRINCESS cover and copy bands.
Compared to bands today, I feel like one of the charms of bands active from the late ’80s to the ’90s was that they weren’t “overproduced.” They’re definitely one of the bands I can confidently recommend as a prime example of girls’ rock!
