a cool guitar-vocal band
When it comes to guitar-vocals, it’s the star role in a rock band, right?
In this article, I’ll introduce bands with cool, recommended guitarists who also serve as the lead vocalist.
Whether you’re looking for bands where the guitarist sings, or you’re searching for songs to cover as a guitar-vocal yourself, this article is for you.
Watching someone sing with a guitar in hand is undeniably cool, but when it’s your turn to perform, you might think, “That seems hard…” and hesitate.
But there are actually songs that are easier than you’d expect!
First, let’s start by listening to a variety of songs from bands with guitar-vocalists.
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Cool guitar-vocal bands (1–10)
Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE
The band name comes from wanting to include a food name and add a gender-neutral image.
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE is a five-member coed band that debuted in 2015 with the mini-album “Variety.” Their songs, which evoke a fresh, youthful feeling, are especially popular among high school students.
Motoki Omori serves as the lead vocalist and guitarist, and he writes and composes all of their songs.
His vocal range—freely moving from deep tones to falsetto while playing guitar—leaves listeners feeling refreshed.
JitterbugELLEGARDEN
ELLEGARDEN, the punk band that sadly went on hiatus in 2008.
While many bands are influenced by Western music, there aren’t many that can truly hold their own within the genre of punk rock.
ELLEGARDEN is undoubtedly one of those few.
From aggressive tracks like “Salamander” and “Space Sonic,” to straight-up classic punk like “Pizza Man,” and gentle, comforting Japanese-lyric songs such as “Jitterbug” and “Koukasen,” their music has saved many hearts.
If you like pop punk bands like Green Day, this is a must-listen.
Galactic ExpresswayHanbureddāzu
A band formed in high school to perform at the school festival.
After showcasing their music at the festival, they realized how powerful music can be and began band activities from there.
In January 2018, they released their first nationwide-distributed album, “Jun Isei Koyu” (Pure Heterosocial Interaction).
The vocalist and guitarist is Akira Mutsumuro.
He writes relatable lyrics, and it’s striking how he always gives his all to convey the awe of music they felt when they first started the band.
Cool guitar-vocal bands (11–20)
brand-newKANA-BOON
A four-piece rock band that made their major-label debut in 2013 with the single “Jōsha Hissui no Kotowari, Okotowari.” Before their major debut, they were an Osaka-born band performing primarily at the live house Mikunigaoka FUZZ in Osaka.
The guitarist and vocalist is Maguro Taniguchi.
Riding the music, he sings and plays guitar with his whole body, never losing that youthful freshness! At the same time, his voice is captivating on mid-tempo numbers where he truly showcases his vocal prowess.
You, the Sheep, and the BlueRADWIMPS
RADWIMPS is a band with impressive technical prowess and a unique worldview.
When songs like “Oshakashama” and “Kyoshinshō” were released, I thought, “What a dark band.” But when I listened to “Sparkle” and “Is There Still Anything That Love Can Do?” which they released while handling the music for the hit film Your Name in 2018 and the subsequent film Weathering With You, I couldn’t help but think, “What a beautiful band!” They’re a band that makes you feel the breadth of the emotional spectrum.
Frenzy Hey Kids!!THE ORAL CIGARETTES
A four-piece band formed by members from Nara and Mie.
They made their major debut in 2014 with the single “Kishi Kaisei STORY.” The guitarist and vocalist is Takuya Yamanaka, who also writes and composes all of their songs.
Although he has repeatedly taken time off for medical treatment, he has turned even that into strength—you can feel a life-or-death intensity in both his vocals and guitar playing.
Their performances, delivered with full force, epitomize the word “cool,” and that raw, powerful sound is their greatest appeal!
Because I want to be by your side.SHISHAMO
It’s the hugely popular girls’ band SHISHAMO! Asako Miyazaki’s heart-fluttering, cute vocals and down-to-earth lyrics have resonated with many young women.
They first applied to a contest just to test their skills and suddenly won an Excellence Award, and then made remarkable strides—unprecedented for an unknown band—by being chosen as hosts for All Night Nippon.
They also performed at the 68th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
They’re a true “Cinderella band,” rather than Cinderella girls.
Keep your eyes on them!