[J-Pop/Rock] A roundup of bands with cool singing bassists
When you think of someone playing an instrument and singing in a rock band, most people picture a guitarist-vocalist.
In reality, it’s most common for the guitarist to stand at the front, and it’s relatively rare for members of the rhythm section—like the bassist or drummer—to handle lead vocals.
That’s precisely why bands with a bassist as the lead vocalist tend to be distinctive and unique.
In this article, we highlight Japanese bands that feature a bass-vocalist, introducing them across different eras and genres.
You might even discover that the singer in a band you love has actually been singing while playing the bass!
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- A collection of cool songs that sound great when sung by women, originally male songs
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- Cool band: A rock band that represents Japan
- A high-energy band number! A hype, crowd-pleasing track with male vocals.
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- [Karaoke] A compilation of Vocaloid songs that are easy to sing even for people with low voices
- [For Beginners] Recommended Songs for Female Vocal Bands: Great for Choosing Your Setlist! [2026]
- A compilation of cool Japanese rock band songs. Recommended tracks for cover bands.
[J-Pop] A roundup of cool bands with bass-playing vocalists (51–60)
Liar Barbie-ologyusotsuki bābī
Formed in Sasebo, Nagasaki in 2002, Usotsuki Barbie is a three-piece band consisting of Yusuke Iwashita (bass & vocals), Toshiyasu Chifu, and Shigeru Toyoda.
They made their debut in March 2007 with the mini-album “Kodomo no Fukumiguse,” drawing attention for their outlandish lyrics, addictive melodies, and wild live performances.
In April 2011, they made their major-label debut with the album “Nininini.” Their music has a mysterious charm that evokes the imaginative worlds of childhood, blending nostalgia and freshness—perfect for listeners drawn to a distinctive, self-contained universe.
I Can TellFriction
FRICTION is a punk rock band that started performing as early as 1978.
The bassist is Reck, who has the unique background of having been the band’s guitarist at its formation.
True to his roots as a former guitarist, rather than quietly marking root notes in straight eighths, he lays down wonderfully fluid basslines using slides that glide under your fingers.
The band also helped ignite the “Tokyo Rockers” movement that sprang from a Roppongi studio in the 1970s.
Be sure to experience their driving sound for yourself!
FlowerMINAMI NiNE
As their band name suggests, MINAMI NiNE is a three-piece band whose members all hail from Miyazaki Prefecture in southern Kyushu.
Their appeal lies in melodic, high-tempo songs that can even hint at hardcore influences, powered by the masculine vocals of bassist-vocalist Hiroki—perfect for firing up a live crowd.
Not only the band name, but also their lyrics and song titles convey a deep love for their hometown.
TRY HARDSUNSET BUS
3.6MILK was one of the bands at the center of the ska-punk boom since the 1990s.
After they disbanded in 2007, their bassist and vocalist SATOBOY formed a new band, SUNSET BUS.
Their sound defies the boundaries between genres like punk, ska, and reggae, enriched by SATOBOY’s melodic bass lines.
Today’s SongLIFE IS GROOVE
LIFE IS GROOVE is a unit that serves up funky rock.
The members are KenKen, who plays bass for RIZE; Ryunosuke Yamagishi, who once appeared on Sanma’s SUPER Karakuri TV as a prodigy guitar kid; and Monsieur Kamayatsu, who passed away in 2017.
Their full-throttle grooves—performed by a multi-generational lineup with diverse careers—are truly breathtaking.
KenKen, who doesn’t often take the lead vocal role, showcases his singing here alongside his jaw-dropping bass technique.
