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 (11–20)
humankindDroog
Droog is a band with an impressively crisp, satisfyingly distorted guitar sound.
They started in 2007 and announced a hiatus in 2018.
Their appeal lies in riffs that strongly evoke the spirit of rock ’n’ roll and lyrics infused with punk ethos.
They’ve said they reinterpret rock ’n’ roll and punk in their own way and distill them into a new form—and that’s likely why they kept producing one rock-solid, cool track after another that feels so approachable.
Samaland in the eveningUlulU
UlulU is a band whose sharp words—capturing fleeting moments of everyday life—and impulsive performances strike straight to the heart.
Based in Tokyo, this three-piece blends the raw edge of garage rock with melody-rich songwriting.
Formed around 2015, they even embarked on a Canadian tour in 2018, showing the drive to cross borders.
Hanayo Otaki’s earnest vocals stir the listener’s emotions.
Slump Makeritashimoku
A rock band based in Tokyo, centered around vocalist-guitarist Shion Chie and drummer Yamato Iwahara.
Their name derives from reptiles, and they’re known for an explosive sound that fuses garage, punk, and loud rock.
With overwhelming live performances, they’ve grown their following and even appeared at major festivals like SUMMER SONIC.
Their momentum hasn’t slowed since reorganizing in March 2024, earning high acclaim including selection for the “Tawarekomen Award 2025.” The impulsive beats heard in signature tracks like “KILLER, mud.” are seriously addictive!
XXXXXKING BROTHERS
KING BROTHERS, the mad dogs from Nishinomiya, Hyogo.
From massive rock festivals to the underground live-house scene, their sound has ignited countless floors.
They’re often compared to Thee Michelle Gun Elephant—West’s King Brothers, East’s Michelle—but at this point, they’re living legends in their own right.
Deafening volume pushed to the venue’s limit, stage dives and mosh pits as standard—dangerously good performances.
Japan’s finest garage sound—if you haven’t heard them yet, you need to experience it.
Paper Roll Stardomiko
A two-piece rock band from Kawagoe, Saitama, with the unusual setup of guitar/vocals and drums/chorus.
Their work is defined by an aggressive, full-bodied sound you wouldn’t expect from just two people: razor-sharp guitar tones, tight and powerful drumming, psychedelic guitar solos driven by fuzzy distortion, and chorus parts that entwine with the distinctive melodies and vocals.
Every element is combined in exquisite balance, yielding exceptional expressive power that creates an original sound transcending the garage mold.
Above all, they are a live band that truly reveals their potential on stage, even more than on record.
CandlelightBELL-FLOWER JAM
BELL-FLOWER JAM is a band formed in Kumamoto Prefecture in 2018.
They originally performed under the name Charlotte, but in 2021 they changed to their current name and made a fresh start.
Their appeal lies in their depth of musicality, ranging from intense, fiery tracks that evoke garage rock with a touch of punk, to melodious, easy-to-listen-to rock ballads.
In addition, their vocal work—high-pitched yet tinged with a certain melancholic nuance—is another hallmark of their sound.
Sharp, gritty, and straight to the heart!! Introducing Japanese garage rock bands (21–30)
The End of the WorldTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
A legendary rock band that reigned with overwhelming presence in the Japanese rock scene from the 1990s to the early 2000s.
This four-piece is known for passionate songs that radiate deep respect for garage, rockabilly, and punk rock—genres that colored the Western music scene of the 1960s and ’70s—and this track is one of their signature works.
Driven by a tight eight-beat, a powerful bass line, and a guitar that keeps delivering an unforgettable riff throughout, coupled with the fully charged vocals of Yusuke Chiba, they captivated countless listeners and laid the groundwork for the Japanese rock scene that followed—remaining beloved by many to this day.