Recommended Japanese bands for men in their 40s

B BLUEBOØWY

BOØWY “B・BLUE” from the Blu-ray ‘“GIGS” CASE OF BOØWY COMPLETE’

Included on the 1986 album “BEAT EMOTION.” A four-piece punk band from Gunma Prefecture formed in 1981.

No explanation needed—an iconic rock band that defined the ’80s.

I remember that whenever we went to karaoke back then, someone would always sing a BOØWY song.

Thanks to that, I ended up being able to sing them even though I didn’t own the single CDs.

Rose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTS

[Official] THE BLUE HEARTS 'Rose of Passion' [6th Single (1990/7/25)] THE BLUE HEARTS / Jyounetsu no Bara

Included on the 1990 album “BUST WASTE HIP.” Theme song for the drama “High School Graffiti 2.” Performed by a four-piece punk band from Tokyo formed in 1985, this track features an upbeat, driving rhythm and a simple, straightforward rock-style melody.

Riding on that, Hiroto’s expressively delivered vocals pierce straight to the heart.

crimsonX JAPAN

X Japan - Kurenai

Included on the 1989 album BLUE BLOOD.

A five-member visual-kei rock band that made their major debut in 1989.

These days, it’s often performed by brass bands as a cheer song at high school baseball games.

The spiked hair when I first saw them, and the melody that suddenly takes off from a quiet intro, made a huge impact.

huge nuisanceUNICORN

Unicorn - “Great Nuisance”

Included on the 1989 album Hattori.

A five-member rock band from Hiroshima Prefecture formed in 1986.

As a central group of the “band boom,” they were known as one of the Big Three bands alongside THE BLUE HEARTS and JUN SKY WALKER(S).

With the originality of their songs, they were an amazing band.

JUST ONE MORE KISSBUCK-TICK

BUCK-TICK / JUST ONE MORE KISS【Victor Years】

Included on the 1989 album “TABOO.” Used in a commercial for Victor’s CD boombox “CDian.” A five-member rock band from Gunma Prefecture formed in 1984.

There’s an anecdote that, while the other members initially worried it might be too understated for a single, it transformed dramatically once Sakurai’s lyrics and vocals were added.

Sakurai has described the lyrics of this piece as a “decadent love song.”

Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB

Kome Kome Club – Roman Hikō (All Night Fuji 1987)

Included on the 1987 album “KOMEGUNY.” Used as the image song for the JAL STORY Summer Rikyu Campaign commercial.

A nine-member rock band formed in 1982.

With an up-tempo, breezy rhythm and an open, cheerful pop melody, it’s a track where Karl Smoky Ishii’s emotionally rich vocals are a pleasure to the ear.

White MiracleSeikima II

White Miracle Seikima-II

A single released in Majireki 10 B.C.

(1989).

A six-member metal band formed in Majireki 16 B.C.

(1982).

For a metal band of the time, it’s a rare ballad number.

Over a mellow, lyrical melody, His Excellency Demon delivers a soulful vocal performance that seeps into the heart.