Dance rock band roundup: Japanese bands with irresistibly danceable songs
When it comes to rock bands, there are countless groups making waves here in Japan! In this article, we’ll showcase a selection of bands that specialize in songs so catchy you’ll want to dance along.
From bands that incorporate EDM sounds to guitar rock groups with distinctive dance beats on the drums, we’ve gathered recommendations with dance music and danceable tracks as the key theme.
A wide variety of vibes will be featured, so be sure to find your new favorite band.
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Dance rock bands roundup: Japanese bands with irresistibly danceable tracks (1–10)
TruthKyūso Nekokami
For those who like songs with a strong message, I recommend Kyuso Nekokami.
Kyuso Nekokami is a five-piece rock band known for tracks that feature a distinctive blend of synthesizer and guitar.
Their songs all have a driving pace with a cool vibe, making them perfect for any situation where you want to amp up the energy, like parties or school festivals.
Start with “Shinri” (“Truth”), which sings about the truths of the world.
You’ll be blown away by its unique sound and powerful message.
a single ray shines throughLucky Kilimanjaro
Lucky Kilimanjaro is a rock band that enjoys strong support both in Japan and abroad.
They mainly create dance tracks with an ’80s disco vibe.
They’ve also written songs for several well-known artists, including Hey! Say! JUMP, so many people may have discovered them that way.
To really experience their appeal, “Hitosuji Sasu” is a perfect pick.
The song revolves around the theme of hope in life and features a sound with a near-futuristic feel.
Sparkle DancerFurederikku
Frederic, whose dance videos have recently gone viral on social media, are a dance-rock band formed around the brothers Kenji Mihara and Koji Mihara.
For reference, Kenji handles vocals and Koji plays bass.
Their perfectly synchronized performances are a must-see! If you’re new to their music, we recommend Sparkle Dancer, which is also famous as a commercial jingle.
Its EDM-style sound is seriously addictive.
Dance rock band roundup: Japanese bands with irresistibly danceable tracks (11–20)
JudenKroi
Kroi is a rock band that incorporates elements of hip-hop and funk.
It’s still fresh in our memories how they fired up the crowd at the 2022 FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, and how so many people couldn’t get tickets for their 2023 nationwide tour.
A recommended song of theirs is “Juden.” Over a laid-back, funk-style groove, it sings about the importance of refreshing yourself.
Also, when it comes to Kroi, their high-level talking skills—such as hosting All Night Nippon—are another reason for their popularity.
You really get a sense of their personalities, so be sure to check them out.
Get Back the HopeFear, and Loathing in Las Vegas
Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas is a rock band formed in 2008.
Although they’re active in Japan, they chose the band name as an homage to the film “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” Their hallmark is a unique musical style that fuses trance and punk rock.
For example, in “Get Back the Hope,” the first half features trance, while the latter half shifts to punk rock.
There are also sections where the two styles switch back and forth intensely, making it a highly engaging listen.
D.A.N.C.E.ROTTENGRAFFTY
If you like punk rock, I recommend ROTTENGRAFFTY.
They’re known for a unique sound that blends punk rock with dance music, hip-hop, and other genres, all built on a foundation of loud rock.
Many of their tracks have an intense, powerful sound that will energize you just by listening.
To start, I think the song “D.A.N.C.E.” is a good entry point, since it has a lot of Japanese lyrics and makes it easier to grasp their world.
And when talking about ROTTENGRAFFTY, you can’t leave out their performances at festivals and live shows.
Their fierce, crowd-unifying performances are a must-see.
telepathkao
Kao is a rock band that incorporates electronic elements.
When they uploaded their first music video to YouTube in 2021, word of mouth spread rapidly, and by the following year they held their first solo headlining show.
Although the show was self-produced, tickets sold out in no time.
To get to know them, I recommend starting with “telepath.” It features a sound that blends machine noises you won’t hear elsewhere, such as Morse code.