A roundup of cool drum-vocal bands: vocalists who sing while drumming.
Drum vocals… It might not be a term you hear often, but even with a little thought, you can easily imagine how challenging it is, right?
Overseas, bands where the drummer handles vocals—like the Carpenters or the Beatles—are well-known, but what about here in Japan?
You can probably think of a few groups, but in this article we’ll dig a bit deeper!
We’ll introduce bands where the drummer serves as the lead vocalist.
Feast your eyes on these musicians with incredible technique!
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A roundup of cool drum-vocal bands: vocalists who sing while drumming (1–10)
FREEDOMPINK CLOUD
They had been active as JOHNNY, LOUIS & CHAR, but later changed their name to PINK CLOUD.
While Char, the guitarist and vocalist who mainly handles lead vocals, takes center stage, drummer Johnny Yoshinaga also showcases an impressive singing voice.
In fact, in his solo work he plays groovy drums while taking on lead vocals, and that coolness never fades.
You can do it!!Moritaka Chisato
Chisato Moritaka has had a successful career as a singer, releasing a variety of popular songs.
Many people may not know that she actually plays the drums.
What’s more, she sings while playing the drums, which is even more surprising.
She was in a band during her school days and reportedly played not only drums but also bass back then.
It’s said that on her albums, she performs most of the instruments herself in addition to the drums.
Still for your loverumania montevideo
Despite their brief period of activity and few live or media appearances, the band rumania montevideo is highly regarded by core music fans.
Formed around drummer-vocalist Mami Miyoshi and her younger brother, guitarist Makoto Miyoshi, the band released the single “Still for your love” in 1999, which became the ending theme for the anime Detective Conan and achieved a smash hit.
As a drummer, Mami doesn’t showcase aggressive playing; instead, she plays steadily and sings with little change in expression, creating a mysterious and memorable presence.
A roundup of cool drum-vocal bands: Vocalists who sing while drumming (11–20)
Take me homeNobuaki Kaneko
Nobuaki Kaneko, who is active as the drummer of the rock band RIZE, performs and sings songs he wrote and composed himself in his solo project.
You could see him singing while playing drums even in RIZE’s early days, but his expressiveness has grown by leaps and bounds since then and is truly overwhelming.
His songs are ethereal and beautiful, and listening to them gives you a sensation like being immersed in sound.
Dramatic RainInagaki Junichi
Junichi Inagaki, famous for “Kurisumasu Kyaroru no Koro ni” (“Around Christmas Carol”), is also known as a drummer! He has many hit songs, but I imagine many people are surprised to see him sing while playing the drums.
Since he originally started as a drummer, that explains his style, but it definitely makes you think, “That’s not something you can imitate so easily…”
NO MONEY NO TIMEwasurete mōteruzu
Pounding the drums with reckless abandon, shouting rock with everything he’s got—aren’t there many who love that kind of gritty, masculine artist? In Wasurete Motels, 283—read as Tsubasa—is a truly rock ‘n’ roll drummer.
The way he sings his heart out until his voice grows hoarse really grabs the audience.
And it’s not all just rock shouts; there are also heartfelt ballads and blues.
If you’re worn out from work or studying, try heading to a live house to see Wasurete Motels.
Color of tearsTHE LOCAL ART
THE LOCAL ART is a guitar rock band known for their upbeat, aggressive guitar riffs.
It’s pretty rare for the vocalist in a band that plays this kind of music to also be the drummer, right? But they’re far from a novelty act—they’re a seriously cool rock band with killer riffs, strong melodies, and great vocals.
Their exhilarating songs are must-listens.