Recommended Japanese bands for men in their 40s

revolutionandymori

andymori “Revolution”

Formed in 2007, andymori is a band with a psychedelic, indie-rock sound.

Three Waseda University alumni came together after a conversation at a diner in Nishi-Ogikubo, and made their major debut in October 2008 with the EP “Andy, Rock, Bengal Tiger and Whisky.” In 2010, they were selected as one of iTunes’ “10 New Artists to Watch,” and their Canada tour was a success.

Their album “Fanfare to Enthusiasm” reached No.

9 on the Oricon daily chart, drawing attention for its energetic yet delicate melodies.

Until their moving final concert at Nippon Budokan in October 2014, they were highly active, mainly performing at live houses around Tokyo.

Their music, etched in listeners’ hearts alongside memories of youth, is rich with a charm that evokes nostalgic recollections.

Get me drunk with a mojitoGōruden Bonbā

Golden Bomber “Make Me Drunk with Mojito” MV

As an air band that doesn’t play instruments, they attracted attention with their one-of-a-kind style, and Memeshikute became a huge hit.

Their songs are high quality, and their live performances are one of their popular draws.

Besides Memeshikute, they have many other great tracks, making them a highly recommended band.

Robinsonsupittsu

Spitz / Robinson

They are one of Japan’s most iconic rock bands, beloved across generations.

Respected by many artists, their songs are frequently covered.

They’re still active on the front lines today and are a band I highly recommend.

Telecastic fake showRin to shite Shigure

Telecastic fake show

Formed in Saitama in 2002, Ling tosite sigure is a three-piece band known for its unique sound that fuses diverse genres such as indie rock and post-hardcore.

They made their debut in November 2005 with the album “#4” on their own label, and went on to make a major-label debut with Sony Music in 2008.

Their appeal lies in intricate guitar melodies, technical drumming, and the distinctive expression of their male–female twin vocals, and they have provided themes for many anime works.

Centered around TK, who writes and composes all songs, each member also pursues solo activities.

They are a highly skilled band that has greatly influenced subsequent artists such as Soko ni Naru and Soushi Sakiyama.

Why not revisit their innovative sound along with the nostalgic memories etched in your youth?

YOUNG, ALIVE, IN LOVE – Love and Machine Gun –Flipper’s Guitar

YOUNG, ALIVE, IN LOVE – Love and a Machine Gun – / FLIPPER’S GUITAR [Official Music Video]

Formed in the late 1980s around Keigo Oyamada and Kenji Ozawa and flying the Neo-GS flag, Flipper’s Guitar was a band that took the music scene by storm with its sophisticated pop sensibility and experimental sound.

They debuted in 1989 with the album “three cheers for our side ~ umi e iku tsumori janakatta,” leaving a vivid impression, and went on to release “CAMERA TALK” and “DOCTOR HEAD’S WORLD TOWER.” By reinterpreting elements of ’60s garage rock and psychedelic pop in a contemporary way, they forged a singular musical identity.

Until their sudden breakup in 1991, their music continued to exert a major influence on Japanese indie music, and with its creative ideas and melodic beauty, it still captivates many listeners today.

They’re a band I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking new possibilities in music.

KissORIGINAL LOVE

ORIGINAL LOVE / Kiss

Formed in 1985 and known as a leading act of the Shibuya-kei scene, ORIGINAL LOVE continues to create sophisticated, urban sounds.

Their appeal lies in a musical style that blends a wide range of genres—soul, jazz, R&B, techno, and rock—through a unique sensibility.

They made their major debut in 1991 with the album “LOVE! LOVE! & LOVE!” and won the Japan Record Award for Best Album by a New Artist.

Later, the group evolved into a solo unit centered on vocalist and guitarist Takao Tajima, steadfastly defying existing labels, including rejecting the term “Shibuya-kei” during a live performance in July 1994.

While incorporating elements of Western music, their lyrics cherish the nuances of the Japanese language—resonating with those who seek the essence of music.

P.S. I LOVE YOUPINK SAPPHIRE

[Official] PINK SAPPHIRE “P.S. I LOVE YOU” (Music Video) Pink Sapphire / P.S. I Love You (1st single)

PINK SAPPHIRE, a four-woman rock band that brightened the early ’90s music scene, captivated audiences with a pop-rock foundation and a wide range of styles from ballads to hard rock.

After their major-label debut in April 1990, they quickly rose to prominence with a song selected as the ending theme for the TV program “Gilgamesh Night,” and went on to score high rankings on the Oricon charts.

Their bright, refreshing sound and lyrics themed around youth and romance won the hearts of many fans.

Even after disbanding in 1995, they maintained a strong following, and in 2009 they fulfilled long-held hopes with a reunion live show.

Their songs, which evoke nostalgic memories of youth, continue to shine with undiminished brilliance, wrapped in heartwarming recollections.