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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- Hidden gems and lesser-known songs by popular Japanese rock bands
- A high-energy band number! A hype, crowd-pleasing track with male vocals.
- A compilation of cool Japanese rock band songs. Recommended tracks for cover bands.
- Packed with slap groove vibes! A collection of songs with cool bass
Sharp, rugged, and piercing to the heart!! Introducing Japanese garage rock bands (’71–’80)
BACKSIDE WORLDTHE RAW BLAXX
A destructive garage rock band that debuted in 2004.
They thrash out garage rock with a hardcore, heavy edge.
The bass-driven performance hits harder and feels more core.
The distorted vocals lock into the sound, heightening the sense of unity.
EverlastTHE Hitch Lowke
THE Hitch Lowke is a rock band formed in Kyoto in 2005.
The lineup consists of vocalist Takuya Hoshi, guitarist Tsuyoshi Hitani, bassist Takaya Shiroyama, drummer Hikaru Takiishi, and keyboardist Jun.
They made their major-label debut in 2016 with the album “BIG BOUNCE.” Their distinctive sound fuses loud, heavy sonics with catchy, kayōkyoku-like melodies.
discordARIZONA
A garage band with a New Age vibe that incorporates dance elements.
They lay down complex rhythms topped with rough, powerful guitars.
The vocals are shouted in a slightly off-key style, but that imperfection makes it cool and compelling.
Poke with the tip.LEAVES (e.g., Investment Reindeer)
LEAVES is a band with a mysterious atmosphere—beyond their solid, core-driven sound, you catch glimpses of something like human nature itself.
They create music that’s distinctly their own, unconstrained by the boundaries of garage rock.
Under their former name, Frozen Reindeer (Tōshi Tonakai), they formed in 2011 and were based in Kyoto.
By the way, the vocalist/guitarist Akito Yamane also posts songs on video sites as a Vocaloid producer.
If you want to experience music with real depth, you should definitely give them a listen.
red-eyeThe Electros
The Electros have a rare setup for a garage rock band: guitar, drums, and organ.
You might expect a lighter sound without a bass, but once you listen, you’ll be surprised by how full and thick their songs are.
The organ is clearly the heart of this band—an intense, distinctive element you won’t find in others.
Despite some lineup changes, they disbanded in 2017 to much regret.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit different or want to rethink what garage rock can be, definitely give this band a listen.
In conclusion
We’ve showcased a wide range of domestic garage rock bands from across different generations.
From classics like Thee Michelle Gun Elephant and Puffy (Kinbra) to up-and-coming bands that are poised to break out, these are all artists rock fans should keep an eye on! Be sure to give them a thorough listen!