[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
- Cool band: A rock band that represents Japan
- A high-energy band number! A hype, crowd-pleasing track with male vocals.
- Charm overload! A roundup of Japanese three-piece bands (perfect for cover bands, too!)
- [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.
[Japanese Rock/Pop] A roundup of bands with cool singing bassists (21–30)
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.
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!
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.
STARTlocofrank
The three-piece melodic punk band locofrank is also known as a band with a singing bassist.
They’ve had a long career, yet they continue to make their presence felt in the scene.
Bassist and lead vocalist Masayuki Kinoshita’s wild, high-energy singing fits perfectly with their melodic, fast-paced songs!
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.
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.
Goodbye, memoriesLOSTAGE
Takehisa Gomi, the vocalist of LOSTAGE—a three-piece rock band from Nara Prefecture—also plays bass while handling lead vocals.
His distinctive, singular voice is indispensable to their songs.
They’re a driving force in an underground rock scene that could verge on the mainstream, known for their powerful sound and aggressive live performances.