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 (11–20)
Gather round! Party people!Yabai T-shatsu Yasan
What a name! Any Kansai native would probably feel compelled to crack a joke about it—a band name with real personality.
And their songs are just as distinctive, irresistibly grabbing your heart and not letting go—Yaba-T is captivating! The lead guitar and vocals are handled by Koyama Takuya from Kyoto Prefecture, and bassist Shibata Aribobo also shares vocal duties.
They’ve got an all-out, high-energy vibe that instantly electrifies the atmosphere; just listening will blow your worries away.
You’ll be drawn in before you know it!
copy lightTK from RIN TO SHITE SIGURE
TK, known as the vocalist and guitarist of Ling tosite sigure.
“TK from Ling tosite sigure” is his solo moniker.
He possesses a one-of-a-kind high tone vocal that combines translucence with sharpness.
If you know his signature song “unravel,” you’ll understand—his range is incredibly high, yet his delivery remains deeply emotional.
He’s the only vocalist I find to have a “beautiful death growl,” handling both intense tracks and gentle ballads with unwavering control, leaving you with a feeling that your heart’s been cleansed.
He’s also highly regarded as a singing guitarist: he sings while executing intricate fast runs, odd time signatures, and complex arpeggios—something very few can imitate.
Be sure to check that out, too!
Bad ParadoxBLUE ENCOUNT
BLUE ENCOUNT, known as “Buru-en,” is a four-piece band formed by members who met in high school in Kumamoto.
One of their biggest draws is the way their high-energy performances fire up the crowd.
The band’s guitarist and vocalist is Shunichi Tanabe.
His trademark is his thick black-rimmed glasses—but rumor has it there are no lenses in them.
Even on cold days, listening to Buru-en can make you feel like it’s summer.
A major driving force behind that heat is Tanabe’s guitar and vocals.
red-yellow fragrant olive (Osmanthus fragrans)Fujifaburikku
A band formed in 2000 and debuted in 2004.
After Masahiko Shimura, who served as the guitarist and vocalist at the time, passed away in 2009 at the young age of 29, Soichiro Yamauchi—who had previously handled only guitar—took on the role of guitarist-vocalist.
Although Yamauchi becoming the guitarist-vocalist was prompted by a sad event, it might be nice for those who have only played instruments to occasionally try switching parts and challenge themselves as a guitarist-vocalist.
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!
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!
Cool guitar-vocal bands (21–30)
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!