[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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[Japanese Rock/Pop] A roundup of bands with cool singing bassists (21–30)
No WayCzecho No Republic
They’re a four-piece rock band whose strength lies in songs that combine a floating, ethereal feel with catchiness, reminiscent of Fujifabric and SUPERCAR.
The warm vocals of bassist/singer Yushin Takei and the striking high tones of keyboardist/singer Mai Takahashi are both brought out to their fullest, showcasing an appealing musicality and a strong sense of arrangement.
Each member’s diverse musical roots also suggest a wealth of ideas to draw from.
30LOST IN TIME
When you think of a three-piece band with the bassist on vocals, punk might be the first image that comes to mind, but not all such bands fit that mold.
LOST IN TIME is a rock band that exudes a distinctive emotional quality.
Their name comes from a song by bloodthirsty butchers, and they’re the kind of band whose gentle vocals and bass tone by Daisuke Umihira become addictive, carried by a sound reminiscent of alternative rock.
[J-Pop/Rock] A roundup of bands with cool bass-and-vocal leads (31–40)
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.
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!
Sandy’s SundaySPARKS GO GO
Sparks Go Go is a three-piece band formed in 1990, boasting a career of over 30 years with an unchanging lineup.
Their predecessor was a band called Be Modern, formed in 1985 and making a major-label debut the following year, so they truly have a very long history.
The vocalist of Sparks Go Go, Shinichi “Yakk” Yakuma, also plays bass, making him a singing bassist.
His style—wearing the bass low and hammering away with a pick—is undeniably cool.
Another hallmark is his setup: he runs his clean, core bass tone through an Ampeg bass amp, while his distorted sound comes from a Roland CUBE 60 placed next to the Ampeg.
Yakuma’s approach to sound-making—achieving distortion without using effects pedals—is fascinating and uniquely his.
Ryukyu Sunrisekazuki yamamori
Kazuki Yamamori is a three-piece band from Osaka that has been delivering high-velocity melodies in their original genre, “Naniwa Cosmetic Punk,” since forming in June 2019.
Isamu, the bassist and vocalist, writes and composes most of the songs, captivating audiences with energetic bass playing and humor-laced vocals.
They provided the ending theme for a TV Tokyo anime in 2022, and their first headlining show in 2024 turned Shinsaibashi BIGCAT into a frenzy.
Their live performances—featuring inventive props and crowd-engaging staging—are recommended not only for punk rock fans but also for listeners seeking a unique, immersive world.
SARAFENCE OF DEFENSE
FENCE OF DEFENSE, known for their signature song “SARA,” is a rock band that has been active since 1985.
The bassist and vocalist is Masatoshi Nishimura, and he uses a distinctive Yamaha headless bass, which lacks the instrument’s headstock.
Depending on the song, he also plays a 5-string bass with more strings than a standard bass, delivering a heavier, more masculine sound.
He even has his own customized signature model, showing a level of dedication as a bassist that’s truly admirable!
