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!
- [J-Pop] A Compilation of Songs with Awesome Drums [2026]
- [2026] Japan’s Leading Famous Drummers — From Veterans to Rising Stars
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- [2026] Summary of Popular Female Drummers Overseas
- A song with a cool drum intro
- [2026] A roundup of world-famous drummers who changed the history of music
- [For Beginners] Recommended Songs for Female Vocal Bands: Great for Choosing Your Setlist! [2026]
- Band-sound Vocaloid Song Special [Rock]
- Chosen by professional drummers. Training videos you really should watch.
- A collection of cool songs that sound great when sung by women, originally male songs
- [2026] Practice Songs for Beginner Drummers: Easy and Cool Recommendations
- A high-energy band number! A hype, crowd-pleasing track with male vocals.
- [J-Pop/Rock] A roundup of bands with cool singing bassists
A roundup of cool drum-vocal bands: Vocalists who sing while drumming (11–20)
Mary Janetsunoda☆hiro
Speaking of singing drummers, we mustn’t forget Hiro Tsunoda.
He performed as a professional drummer alongside famous artists in the 1960s.
His 1971 release “Merry Jane” became a long-running hit—his soulful vocals, rare at the time for a drummer who also sang, were widely praised by listeners.
He has also written songs for a variety of artists, producing many hits.
These days, it seems he runs a drum school where he passes on his techniques.
Star of DavidKatte ni shiyagare
Do you know the band KATTE NI SHIYAGARE, famous for their songs that arrange jazz into punk rock with a very unusual lineup? Its leader is Shohei Muto, a drummer-vocalist.
In the band, he looks extremely dapper playing the drums in a hat.
Muto’s drumming technique is highly regarded, and he also performs with THE King ALL STARS, the rock band led by Yuzo Kayama.
Alongside the band, he showcases his multifaceted talent by playing guitar in his solo work and appearing in films.
calm downGORAKU the function
A three-piece rock band from Kagoshima Prefecture, they have been active in Tokyo since forming in 2012.
While rooted in rock, their distinctive sound weaves in diverse elements such as pop, alternative, emo, and progressive.
2017年、彼らは渋谷のclub乙で初の自主企画イベント「LOVE the function」を開催し、同年にミニアルバム『YU-GI addiction』をリリースした。
Kojiro Akaboshi, who handles drums and vocals, delivers a stunning performance that commands rhythm and melody simultaneously, with complex rhythmic structures, irregular time signatures, and meticulous arrangements that never let listeners lose interest.
Their lyrics are also notable for their literary and philosophical qualities.
NanahitsujiShinario Aato
Scenarioart, a three-piece band with male-and-female twin vocals formed in 2009 in Shiga Prefecture, has been drawing attention for its unique sound that fuses rock, electronica, shoegaze, and pop.
They made their major-label debut in 2014 with the mini-album “night walking,” and have steadily built a track record, including providing ending theme songs for the anime The Perfect Insider and BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS.
Drummer and vocalist Kumiko Hattori’s skillful playing and singing further enhance the richly narrative world of their songs.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy cinematic atmospheres and lyrical soundscapes!
TomorrowTHE LOCAL ART
They are an emotional rock band that began activity in 1996 under their former name “SHAMPOOHAT” and changed to their current name in 2002.
Their greatest appeal is the rare style of Satoshi Okada on drum vocals; his ability to deliver powerful beats and passionate singing at the same time is truly impressive.
In 2006, they released their major debut single “Ai no Kotoba” and also produced the album “MiRAI” in the same year.
Although they have not received any awards, their uniqueness and fiery live performances continue to captivate many fans.
They’re highly recommended for musicians who want to master both instrument performance and singing, as well as for anyone interested in bands with unusual lineups.
transfunyuu
Despite being a two-piece, Furi is compelling for its twin-vocal setup with a singing drummer and a singing guitarist.
Formed in 2012 by high school classmates Maki Takada and Aisa Kasai, the band has drawn attention for Kasai’s style of singing while playing drums.
They won an award at RO69JACK in 2016 and continued to build their track record by appearing at “Derenno!? Summer Sonic!?” the following year.
While rooted in rock, their signature sound incorporates electronic instruments like synthesizers and MPCs, enabling a freer musicality that breaks away from traditional guitar-centric songs.
Even after a decade since their formation, they continue at their own pace, and they’re highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience the powerful impact of a drum-vocal performance.
A compilation of cool drum-vocal bands: vocalists who sing while drumming (21–30)
Maximum the Hormone II ~Let’s Talk About Firm, Rich Noodles from Here On~Makishimamu Za Horumon
Maximum the Hormone radiates an overwhelming presence with a unique musicality that transcends genre boundaries.
Formed in 1997 in Hachioji, Tokyo, the band is known for its compelling mixture sound that fuses diverse styles from nu metal to hardcore punk.
They made their major-label debut in 2004 and broke through with the 2007 album “Buiikikaesu.” In 2013, their album “Yoshu Fukushu” topped the Oricon charts for three consecutive weeks, and the following year it won the Grand Prize at the 6th CD Shop Awards 2014.
Drummer Nao’s ability to sing while playing is breathtaking, and the band boasts exceptional musicianship that balances intense sound with catchy melodies.
With a distinctive performance style laced with humor and satire, they are recommended for listeners seeking music that stands apart from conventional rock bands.