“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 (1–10)
What you wantZa Haimātsu
A girls’ band from Tokyo bringing the heat of ’60s Group Sounds and garage punk into the present! The Highmarts formed in 2013, and when they released their album “Early Recordings” in 2015, its raw, unpolished charm quickly drew attention.
They’ve earned high praise across borders, performing at festivals in the U.S.
and releasing music on overseas labels.
Their surging fuzz guitar and catchy Japanese-language melodies blend beautifully.
If you love classic rock ’n’ roll, this is a band you absolutely have to hear.
Falling downKiller Beach
A rock band based in Miyagi, delivering dry, UK rock–inspired guitar tones and impulsive melodies.
Formed in 2021 and centered around vocalist Naoki Yamashita, they blend the raw energy of garage rock with a modern cool edge.
Their 2022 album “THE FIRST” drew significant attention, selling out at some shops on the day of release, and in July 2024 they released the album “and the good…”.
They also engage in storytelling-driven projects, such as composing songs in collaboration with a fiction posting site.
If you’re craving razor-sharp rock ’n’ roll, give them a listen.
Dahliaaldo van eyck
We are aldo van eyck, a band that emerged from Fukuoka’s live house scene and centers its activity around post-punk and garage rock.
Our sharp yet experimental sound also incorporates elements of jazz and blues.
We began performing live in earnest in 2021.
Our album “dead shot dan,” released in October 2023, won the 2024 CD Shop Awards Kyushu Block Prize.
Our album “das Ding,” released in June 2025, is an ambitious 71-minute work spanning 20 tracks, whose overwhelming intensity and unpredictable song structures captivated many listeners.
super ultra mega ultimate peak of peaksthe Dadadadadys
Formed after the activities of their predecessor band teto, the Dadadadadys relaunched under a new name in January 2022.
Their hallmark is an impulsive, deeply human garage-punk sound.
Right after kicking off, they released the EP “rossoman” in April 2022, including a limited 10-inch edition, linking their recordings closely with live performances.
After new members joined, they became a five-piece, delivering performances with even greater sonic heft and intensity.
If you want your heart shaken by straight-up rock ’n’ roll, don’t miss them.
PepinAJICO
Formed in 2000, AJICO is a four-piece band that blazed a vivid trail.
Centered around vocalist UA and guitarist Kenichi Asai, the lineup features bassist TOKIE and drummer Kyoichi Shiino—a true dream team.
Although they left behind the classic album “Shinryoku” in 2001 and then went on hiatus, they restarted in 2021 after roughly 20 years, making a comeback with the EP “Setsuzoku.” Their unique sound blends the raw grit of garage rock with jazz and dub elements brought in by each member.
Stop the worldTHE COLLECTORS
THE COLLECTORS have been a driving force in Japan’s rock scene with a style deeply influenced by British beat and mod culture.
They made their major-label debut in 1987 with the album “Boku wa Collector” (I Am a Collector).
Their 1993 single “Sekai o Tomete” (Stop the World) is known as one of their signature songs.
In March 2017, they celebrated their 30th anniversary with their first headlining concert at Nippon Budokan, a resounding success that attests to their prowess as a live band.
Why not experience their top-tier rock ’n’ roll that stands apart from passing trends?
LADY NEDYSHERBETS
This is a band formed around Kenichi Asai, formerly of BLANKEY JET CITY.
They launched in 1996, and their appeal lies in a sharp yet dreamlike sound that absorbs alternative and psychedelic elements.
Their 1999 release, SIBERIA, has long been cherished as a work that distills their cold, uncompromising aesthetic.
They went on a hiatus called “hibernation” in 2002, but returned in 2005.
Since then, they have continued activity intermittently, pursuing a sound that only these four members can create.