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)
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.
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!
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.
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!
We’re in the car again today.Hump Back
A three-piece girls’ rock band formed in a high school light music club.
On guitar and vocals is Momoko Hayashi, whose full-throttle singing—delivered just as she is, without putting on airs, like Eriko Hashimoto of Chatmonchy whom they used to cover when the band first formed—is captivating.
They made their indie debut in 2016 with the mini-album “Yoru ni Nattara,” and in 2018 released their first single, “Haikei, Shonen yo,” on the major label Vap.
Melodic Stormsutoreitenaa
STRAIGHTENER is an alternative rock band known to those in the know.
Just like their name, their songs cut straight to the heart—that’s their irresistible charm.
In 2012, their 15th single, “From Noon Till Dawn,” was used as the opening theme for the hugely popular TV drama series “The Hero Yoshihiko and the Key of the Evil Spirit.” The simpler it is, the more it resonates.
They are a band that embodies that idea.
Cool guitar-vocal bands (21–30)
Shangri-LaChatto Monchī
A landmark in all-girl bands, this female three-piece rock band from Tokushima once enjoyed overwhelming support regardless of gender.
Although drummer Kumiko Takahashi later left the group, they continued as a duo and kept performing live.
Formed in 2000, they disbanded in 2018.
I’m sure the influence they had on later girl bands was enormous.