[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!
- Packed with slap groove vibes! A collection of songs with cool bass
- 【2026】A Roundup of Japanese Bassists: From Big Names to Rising Stars
- [Low End] A Collection of Japanese Songs Featuring Standout Bass Solos [2026]
- [Low End] A collection of Japanese songs with high-difficulty bass parts [Cool]
- Love at first sight with a bass girl! The female bassist of a popular band
- A collection of cool songs that sound great when sung by women, originally male songs
- [2026] Easy J-Pop and Japanese Rock Songs Recommended for Beginner Bassists
- [2026] Cool Japanese Rock Bands: From Rising Talents to Veteran Acts
- Recommended for beginner bassists! A roundup of popular songs that are fun to play!
- A high-energy band number! A hype, crowd-pleasing track with male vocals.
- [2026] Charm Explosion! A Roundup of Japanese Three-Piece Bands [Plenty of Young Acts Included]
- [Vocaloid] Not too high, easy to sing at karaoke. Attractive low vocal range
- [For Beginners] Recommended Japanese songs for female vocal bands. Use this as a reference for choosing songs! [2026]
[Japanese Rock/Pop] A roundup of bands with cool singing bassists (21–30)
melodySUGARLUNG
SUGARLUNG is a two-piece rock band that began activities in July 2017.
With Masataka Ezaki on bass and vocals and Kensuke Ishikawa on guitar, they craft a sound rooted in alternative rock.
Their appeal lies in a dynamic ensemble woven from Ezaki’s wide vocal range and expressive delivery and Ishikawa’s diverse guitar phrases.
Just one year after their start, they won “RO JACK for ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2018” in August 2018 and achieved the feat of performing at the festival.
While they initially performed as a three-piece, they became a duo in August 2019, resulting in an even tighter ensemble.
In May 2023, they released the mini-album “Desert or Ocean,” showcasing a wide expressive range from energetic rock to delicate ballads.
They are recommended for listeners seeking dramatic song structures and passionate sound.
MoonrakerENTH
ENTH is a three-piece melodic band from Nagoya.
Their melodica-core-style, fast-paced songs are exhilarating and uplifting to listen to! The band’s vocalist is the bassist, daipon.
He’s a compelling singer with a hot, emotional voice that reaches listeners’ hearts.
Another appeal of the band is the beautiful, catchy vocal melodies that are easy on the ears!
2nd YouthHEY-SMITH
In the band HEY-SMITH, which delivers upbeat melodic punk with a horn section featuring instruments like sax and trumpet, Yuji serves as the bassist and vocalist.
His hallmarks are a straightforward, melodic-punk–style singing voice and melodious bass lines, projecting a presence that stands strong against the band’s colorful sound.
Late Summer, Room 206hitsuji no mure wa warawanai.
Centered on guitar rock, this band—The Sheep Are Not Laughing—stands out with songs that carry a faint sense of melancholy.
The band’s bassist, Tatsuya Kitani, who also serves as the vocalist, is in fact active as a solo singer-songwriter, and also works as a Vocaloid producer under the name Konnichiwa Tanida-san.
As a singer, his languid yet soaring high notes are striking, and as a bassist, he excels at crafting basslines that closely complement the groove of each track.
Funky Monkey BabyKyaroru
I wonder if there are younger people who don’t know that the eternal rock star Eikichi Yazawa once played in a band as a singing bassist.
These days, he’s strongly associated with singing with just a mic in hand, but he looked insanely cool singing with a bass, too! They were a great rock band that went on to have a huge impact on Japan’s rock scene.
Namahageningen ishi
This three-piece rock band has forged a truly one-of-a-kind musical identity, where a heavy hard rock sound steeped in an underground vibe intertwines with vocals that evoke Tsugaru folk songs and enka.
Combined with lyrics that feel decadent and somehow otherworldly, their world-building is unmistakable.
Even as they weathered the ups and downs of the 1970s hard rock scene, their music never wavered—testament to the strength of the band Ningen Isu.
While clearly distinct from the overground scene overflowing with catchy, pop-oriented music, they have continued to command presence as pioneers in the Japanese hard rock landscape.
Soldiers of Februarythe cabs
The three-piece band the cabs was a Japanese rock band formed in 2006 and disbanded in 2013.
Centered around vocalist and bassist Yoshikatsu Shuto, they were known for a unique sound that fused complex chord progressions with catchy melodies.
Their 2011 album “Saisei no Fukei” (“Scenery of Rebirth”) fully showcased their musicality.
With drumming so intense it was nicknamed a “bomber,” and layer upon layer of instrumental parts added almost arithmetically, they still managed to maintain an exquisite balance that never sacrificed listenability.
The band’s history also had its dramatic moments, including the disappearance of Kunimitsu Takahashi, which led to their breakup.
They’re highly recommended for listeners seeking music that marries intricate structural beauty with catchiness.