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.
- Charm overload! A roundup of Japanese three-piece bands (perfect for cover bands, too!)
- The depth of guitar sound. A collection of songs with cool guitar.
- Cool band: A rock band that represents Japan
- High School Students’ Favorite Band Songs Ranking [2026]
- Popular Band Songs Ranking [2026]
- Full of charm like attractive voices and high notes! A roundup of recommended male singers
- A collection of cool songs that sound great when sung by women, originally male songs
- Recommended Japanese punk bands: the punks who represent Japan.
- A high-energy band number! A hype, crowd-pleasing track with male vocals.
- Ranking of Japanese Bands Popular Among Men [2026]
- Popular female vocal band [2026]
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for teenage boys with low voices | Songs you can sing even during voice change!
- A compilation of cool Japanese rock band songs. Recommended tracks for cover bands.
Cool guitar-vocal bands (1–10)
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.
To Your TownASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, the band that has led Japan’s alternative rock scene.
Without them, today’s Japanese rock wouldn’t exist! Rock ’n’ roll used to belong to long-haired, flashy pretty boys.
But they completely overturned that.
No one expected these bespectacled, slightly shy college students to blast out such fierce sounds.
You can’t talk about Japanese rock without them!
Maximum the Hormone II ~Let’s Talk About Firm, Rich Noodles from Here On~Ryo-kun (Maximum the Hormone)
He’s the vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Maximum the Hormone—the core of the band who goes by the title “Vocals, 6-strings, and Younger Brother.” Ryo-kun’s standout strengths are his overwhelming vocal power and razor-sharp shouts.
Even within the loud rock scene, his sound pressure is top-tier.
His weapon is a “controlled shout” that isn’t just screaming: it has pitch, precise rhythm, and never collapses into strain.
He also switches between a variety of vocal techniques, brilliantly balancing metal-style delivery with pop melodies.
The vibe of his voice changes so much you’ll find yourself wondering, “Is this really the same person singing?” Definitely check him out!
Cool guitar-vocal bands (11–20)
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.
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.
kaleido proud fiestaSaitō Kōsuke (UNISON SQUARE GARDEN)
Hailing from Scarsdale, New York, Kousuke Saito is the guitarist-vocalist of UNISON SQUARE GARDEN.
Their signature songs include “Trace of Orion (Orion wo Nazoru)” and “Sugar Song and Bitter Step.” On the official UNISON site, his vocals are described as “overflowing with transparency yet possessing a distinctive edge.” In fact, Saito underwent vocal cord polyp surgery in 2014, and it’s said that it helped improve the stability of his high notes.
His singing is cool and sleek, with a truly beautiful extension into high registers that can be challenging even for many female singers.
As a singing guitarist, his performance level is outstanding—he plays highly complex guitar phrases while singing, delivering a wall of sound you wouldn’t expect from a three-piece band.
He also collaborated with Leo Ieiri in 2025, and their vocals were absolutely overwhelming.
Be sure to check it out!
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.