A Japanese blues band. The roots music of contemporary pop.
One of the roots musics, the blues, was born among African peoples who immigrated to America and was brought to Japan via the UK.
The prototype of the blues evolved into jazz and rock, and it has had a major impact on popular music as well.
Its emotionally charged singing is captivating, and in a band setting it comes across even more passionately—especially with the guitar’s wailing, crying phrases!
Given the cultural background, many of Japan’s leading blues bands include members from the Kansai region.
Please enjoy this wellspring of soulful sound—the source that also gave rise to the familiar music we listen to every day.
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Japanese blues bands. Roots music of contemporary pop (21–30)
Foxy LadyPOWER HOUSE
POWER HOUSE is a Yokohama blues band formed out of the Midnight Express Blues Band.
Their psychedelic blues is their musical hallmark.
They made their major debut in April 1969 and enjoyed popularity on par with the Golden Cups, but disbanded in March 1970.
Crying in the rainYanagi Jōji & Rainīuddo
Yanagi George & Rainy Wood was formed in 1975 by former Power House member George Yanagi, with Hiroshima band Mayflower as the backing band.
They handled drama theme songs and Shiseido commercial tunes, making them one of the most well-known blues bands in Japan.
Their hallmark is a sophisticated, urban blues-rock sound with a stronger rock flavor than Kansai blues bands.
In their signature song “Ame ni Naiteiru” (“Crying in the Rain”), the woman tone guitar that recalls Eric Clapton creates an urban mood.
They disbanded after their 1981 Budokan concert.
Zion The LetterTHE SMITH & WESSON
THE SMITH & WESSON is a rock ’n’ roll band formed in 2011 with roots in the blues.
All members are from Tochigi Prefecture, and the group consists of five men and women: three siblings and two ordinary members.
Since 2012, they have been active mainly in Tochigi and Tokyo.
In 2014, they released their first collection of works, Extended Play.
The longed-for KitashinchiUeda Masaki & South to South
Formed in 1974, this is an authentic blues band—earthy, funky, soulful, and groovy.
Their performances, overflowing with feel, are exquisite.
Although they disbanded in 1976 after just two short years, they are remembered as a legendary band of the Kansai blues scene that flourished in the 1970s, centered around Osaka and Kyoto.
The members were Masaki Ueda on vocals, Junji Ariyama on guitar, Kazumi Tsutsumi (aka Quncho), Yasuharu Nakanishi on keyboards, Yutaka Fujii on bass, and Goro Masaki on drums.
List Price BluesBEGIN
BEGIN is a band formed in 1988 by three childhood friends from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa.
After making their major debut in 1990, they produced various hit songs, led by their debut track Koishikute.
In 2010, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut, they held a commemorative concert at Osaka-jō Hall.
Tear Drops.bureikudauan
Breakdown was a blues band that featured Fusanoke Kondo and was active mainly in Kyoto and Tokyo.
It originated from the Blues House Blues Band, formed in 1972.
From 1976 to 1982, they were active primarily in Kyoto, then restarted in 1983 as the “new” Breakdown.
They continued energetically until disbanding in 1986, touring nationwide and performing over 100 shows a year.
Midnight ExpresswayFlower Companyz
Flower Companyz is a Japanese band that also delves into blues rock.
Formed in Nagoya in 1989, they signed a record deal and made their major-label debut in 1995.
They have remained highly active ever since, and in 2015 they held their first concert at the Nippon Budokan.