Sharp, gritty, and straight to the heart!! Introducing Japanese garage rock bands
“Garage rock” is a term that originated overseas, originally referring to amateur bands that practiced in their garages.
It’s characterized by a raw, impulsive sound influenced by early British rock ’n’ roll and punk.
Many bands feature aggressively distorted, exhilarating guitar tones and vocal styles that verge on a shouted snarl.
In recent years, with the resurgence of rock that carries a grunge or underground vibe, garage rock has also come back into the spotlight, and you can find young bands influenced by it as well.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of Japanese garage rock bands, from veterans to up-and-comers.
It’s packed with the raw impulse of rock ’n’ roll!
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Sharp, rugged, and piercing to the heart!! Introducing Japanese garage rock bands (61–70)
COLD HEATdetroit7
A three-piece rock band.
Notable for Nanohana’s husky vocals.
Their sound is influenced by alternative rock, garage rock, and punk.
They are also popular overseas and have taken part in tours across the United States.
Coffee and CigarettesAviguweito
Aviguate is a three-piece band from Higashimatsuyama, Saitama.
Formed in 2020 by Kazuki on guitar and vocals, Yuji on bass and backing vocals, and Shimada on drums, they’re a trio whose future success is highly anticipated.
Despite their youth, they deliver raw, manly garage rock: at times a near-screaming vocal, a stripped-down, no-frills, heavyweight sound.
Listen to the lyrics—like snapshots of surging passion erupting in everyday, right-in-front-of-you scenes—and you’ll understand why they’re called a neighborhood-style band.
Cherry CokeShuredingā no uso
From the very first line, this song, Cherry Coke, exudes a bewitching, suspicious aura.
The band is Schrödinger no Uso, who have carved out a striking genre they call “sex-industry rock ’n’ roll.” Based in Kyushu, local media have dubbed them the “Satsuma Sheena & The Rokkets.” Their lyrical world is distinctive and stimulating—and on top of that, their ultra-provocative costumes and live performances are must-see.
If you’re feeling stuck in a daily rut, why not dance to Schrödinger no Uso?
Honey Piewakusei
Formed in Tokyo in 1995.
Armed with a unique sound inspired by US alternative, garage, and rock ’n’ roll, they developed their activities.
In 2002, they successfully headlined a solo show at Shelter and performed at the Fuji Rock Festival.
Although the band Planet went on hiatus in 2007, vocalist-guitarist Mr.
Kishida has continued his career, providing songs to YUKI (formerly of JUDY AND MARY) and Atsushi Sakurai of BUCK-TICK, as well as working as a stage actor.
Delivery Vintage Rock ’n’ Rolljiruba
A four-piece rock band formed in Tokyo in 2005.
Armed with an aggressively electrifying stage performance and a band sound that forges a powerful sense of unity with the audience, they are a fixture on the live scene.
In 2013, the film Sado Tempest, in which the band starred, won the Grand Prize in the Feature Narrative category at the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival and Best Music at the Brooklyn Film Festival, among other accolades, showcasing their wide-ranging achievements.
On a rocketShonen Naifu
Shonen Knife is a girls’ rock band formed in Osaka in 1981, led by Naoko Yamano.
In the 1990s, they were highly praised by Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and even joined them on a U.S.
tour, earning significant recognition overseas and becoming indispensable when discussing Japan’s indie rock scene.
Despite member changes over the years, they have consistently delivered a positive, powerful rock sound to audiences around the world.
Skinny Storm RiderLonesome Dove Woodrows
A garage rock band active since 1991.
They bang out classic rock ’n’ roll with a rough edge, giving off a true garage vibe.
The husky-voiced vocalist sounds incredibly rock and super cool.
Their sound prioritizes groove over message.