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 (41–50)
VoyageANGEL’in Heavy Syrup
Formed in Osaka in 1990, ANGEL’in Heavy Syrup shine with a singular light in Japan’s psychedelic/progressive rock scene.
Backed by Alchemy Records, run by the renowned JOJO Hiroshige, they made their debut on the scene in 1991 with the album Angel’in Heavy Syrup I.
Their musical style distills influences from 1970s Krautrock—especially Amon Düül II—into a one-of-a-kind sound where luscious weightlessness intertwines with heavy riffs.
Their highly acclaimed masterpiece, Angel’in Heavy Syrup III, can be seen as the culmination of that sonic world.
They’ve earned international recognition as well, undertaking a U.S.
tour with GONG, and even scoring the impressive feat of placing 15th on IGN’s list of the “Greatest Progressive Rock Albums of All Time.” In recent years, their early works have been reissued, fueling a renewed reassessment.
If you want to immerse yourself in a profound ocean of sound, this is the perfect band for you!
MummifyMummy the Peepshow
In Japan’s indie scene of the ’90s, Mummy the Peepshow stood out as a girls’ band that blasted energetic garage punk while radiating an irresistibly pop charm.
Formed in Osaka in 1994, their sound fused glittering melodies and catchy riffs atop a base of garage and noise punk—an aesthetic that was distinctly their own.
Their debut album, Mummy Builion, was released in 1998 on the BENTEN label, and subsequent records like This is Egg Speaking… and the classic Electric Rollergirl made a powerful impact on the scene at the time.
In 2000 they performed at SXSW in the United States, drawing international attention, and their influence spread even further when one of their songs was featured in the Xbox game Far Cry Instincts.
Maki Mummy, the guitarist and vocalist, was the band’s powerful core presence.
If you’re curious about the cute yet punky sound of ’90s girl bands, definitely give them a listen!
Double FistThug Murder
Formed in Tokyo in November 1999 at the tail end of the ’90s, Thug Murder was a three-piece all-female street punk band that etched a vivid memory into the punk scene both in Japan and abroad despite their lightning-fast activity period of just two years.
Rooted in street punk and Oi!, their sound drew listeners with its unadorned directness and defiant energy.
After releasing their self-titled EP “Thug Murder” in 1999, they broke into the U.S.
in 2001 with the album “13th Round” on Dropkick Murphys’ label.
The record earned strong support from American punk fans and media alike.
The fact that they grabbed overseas attention in such a short time after forming—and even toured with Dropkick Murphys—speaks to their prowess.
Their English lyrics delivered with a distinctly Japanese accent were also embraced as a one-of-a-kind hallmark.
If you’re looking for punk rock brimming with raw first-impulse energy or a tough, cool all-girl band, Thug Murder is a must-listen.
sweet strawberry toastesrevnoc
Esrevnoc—its uniquely memorable name is “Converse” spelled backwards—is a Japanese girl band formed in 1995.
Rooted in J-pop, they deftly wove in elements of pop rock, electronica, funk, soul, and jazz to create a kaleidoscopically shimmering sound.
In 1998, they made their major-label debut with the single “s.s.t.” Their catchy appeal won many listeners’ hearts, with songs beloved as TV show themes and tracks featured in sporting goods commercials.
Their first album, eb -esrevnoc better-, released in 1999, brilliantly encapsulates their playful spirit and wide-ranging musicality.
Although their 2001 hiatus was regrettable, their distinctive world still shines today.
For anyone seeking genre-defying, free-spirited music, this is a band well worth recommending.
The girl knows.sakura sakura
In the late 1980s, the five-piece band Sakura Sakura from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, burst onto the scene as a girls’ rock band that added vivid color to the music landscape of the time.
While rooted in rock, their hallmark sound skillfully blended the accessibility of pop and J-pop.
In 1991, they made their major-label debut with the single “Onna no Ko wa Shitteiru” (“Girls Know Everything”), which became widely loved as one of the band’s signature songs.
That same year they released the album “Girls Know Everything,” followed by “Sweet Emotion” in 1992, reflecting their energetic pace of activity.
Notably, even before their debut, they received the Junior Silver Prize at the Yamaha Popular Song Contest in September 1986, an early recognition of their talent.
The vocalist, Misae Takamatsu, also performed a popular anime’s ending theme, showcasing her voice as a solo artist.
Their lyrics, which resonated with women of the time, and their powerful performances still brim with fresh appeal today.
If you want to experience the distinctive brilliance of 1990s girls’ bands, this is a group you should definitely check out.