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, gritty, and straight to the heart!! Introducing Japanese garage rock bands (21–30)
Rock ‘n’ roll of the venomous serpentTHE PINBALLS
It’s an upbeat tune that kicks off with a distinctive guitar riff, blending bluesy vibes and catchiness that resonate throughout the track.
Carrying on the lineage of garage rock that’s flowed since the 1960s, its sound appeals not only to rock ’n’ roll lovers across the country but also grabs the hearts of listeners unfamiliar with garage rock, thanks to its catchy, memorable melodic lines.
It’s a provocative yet sleekly polished song—perfect for those who’ve grown tired of overly pristine music.
Village MansBirejjimanzusutoa
A rock band with a powerful, distorted guitar sound and the remarkably raspy vocals of Gii Mizuno.
While they convey a rock ’n’ roll intensity and a raw, punk-like edge, they also have the catchy drive of modern guitar-rock bands, with song structures and melodies that can even feel refreshing at times—truly striking.
Keep an ear out for their catchy guitar riffs too! They show many different sides from track to track, so if you like what you hear, be sure to check out a variety of their songs.
Red tambourineBLANKEY JET CITY
A legendary three-piece rock band led by Kenichi “Benji” Asai.
They’re known for a distinctive sound that fuses punk, rockabilly, and garage rock.
Benji’s high-pitched voice and lyrics reminiscent of American novels are highly acclaimed, and they had a profound influence on subsequent Japanese bands.
New Tribea flood of circle
a flood of circle is a three-piece rock band formed in 2006.
They’re a shining modern garage rock band, blending songs powered by straightforward rock ’n’ roll and garage-rock sounds with guitar-rock-style approaches.
When you hear vocalist Ryosuke Sasaki’s voice, it’s hard not to sense the influence of Yusuke Chiba from THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT, but in fact that’s not the case—he has said he admired Masamune Kusano of Spitz.
That voice is his homeland, so to speak, and it has become the identity of their music today.
Maydayw.o.d.
With gritty, distorted guitars, a bass that writhes freely in fuzz, tight drums that boost the song’s overall intensity, and vocals that blend languor with raw heat, this three-piece rock band from Hyogo evokes the phantom of the legendary Nirvana in every element of their sound.
Standing apart as a singular presence in an overground scene awash with breezy tunes, they’ve become a leading contender among the new generation making waves in today’s rock landscape.
Perfect for anyone seeking a jolt of grit to shake up a languid everyday life.
For some reason, todayThe Birthday
After concluding activities with THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT and ROSSO, The Birthday—a rock band led by vocalist Yusuke Chiba—launched in 2006.
Their once raw, impulse-driven performances have matured, honing a garage sound rich with adult allure and mood.
Still, the edgy sonics and distorted vocals remain intact, delivering supreme garage rock that longtime followers and new fans alike—and indeed all listeners—should hear.
Thinking in Yura Yura Teikokuyurayura teikoku
Yura Yura Teikoku is a three-piece rock band formed in 1989.
Their activities up to 2010 remain a shining legend in the history of Japanese rock.
Their psychedelic fuzz guitar and lyrics that are both literary and perverse leave a powerful impact once you’re hooked.
They also have many top-tier 8-beat tracks that could be called garage sound, and guitarist-vocalist Shintaro Sakamoto’s wild playing has a force and atmosphere that can make you forget to breathe.