[Japanese Rock] Recommended Japanese Rock Bands
In Japan, large-scale rock festivals keep increasing, and the popularity of rock bands is really on the rise! On subscription services like Spotify and Apple Music, band tracks frequently appear in playlists and rankings, so I’m sure many of you listen to them regularly.
As opportunities to encounter rock bands grow like this, I bet more and more people are getting interested in the domestic rock scene.
That said, there are so many rock bands out there that you might be thinking, “I don’t even know where to start listening…” That’s why in this article, I’ll introduce rock bands you should definitely check out, in recommended order! Start by listening to the bands introduced at the beginning of this article!
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[Japanese Rock] Recommended Japanese Rock Bands (61–70)
KILLER TUNEsutoreitenaa
Formed in 1998 by Atsushi Horie and Shinpei Nakayama.
Bassist Hidekazu Hinata joined when they made their major-label debut in 2003, and in 2008 former ART-SCHOOL member Jun Oyama came on board.
They are now active as a four-piece band.
Their melodic, bittersweet songs and hard-hitting rock tunes both pack a punch.
Maplesupittsu
Spitz is a band known for its gentle, comforting sound, as heard in songs like “Cherry” and “Maple.” Formed in 1987, they made their major debut in 1991 with the simultaneous release of the single “Hibari no Kokoro” and the album “Spitz.” Their songs have been featured as theme and insert tracks in many popular films, TV dramas, and anime, earning them a broad fan base across generations.
They actively host their own music events, including “Rock Rock Konnichiwa!” in the Kansai region and Sendai.
While Masamune Kusano’s soft vocals and the band’s tender sound are part of their appeal, the band’s name is said to have been chosen for its punk-like image.
ribbonToukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora
When it comes to Japanese ska bands, it has to be them: Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, formed in 1985.
With hits like “A Forest Where Beauty Burns,” they helped establish ska as a genre in the Japanese music scene.
They’ve also released tracks collaborating with numerous musicians and celebrities.
They’re a well-known band with a wide range of activities.
trapThe Back Horn
This song is included as the first track on the 2018 mini album “Jōkei Dorobō” (Scene Thief).
It’s a cool number featuring a masculine vocal and guitar sound.
You can feel THE BACK HORN’s intensity coming through, as if it’s giving you the strength to live.
At the End of SorrowElefanto Kashimashi
Elephant Kashimashi is a band that could be called the epitome of a hot-blooded, masculine rock outfit.
Formed in 1981 by junior high school classmates, they originally had six members.
In 1988, they made their major-label debut by simultaneously releasing the single “Dede” and the album “THE ELEPHANT KASHIMASHI.” They later stepped away from the major music scene for a time, but made a comeback in 1996 with the hit single “Kanashimi no Hate” (At the End of Sorrow).
Although they have changed record labels several times since, they have remained actively engaged in making music.
I sing…DIVERGING POINT
Melodic punk from Asahikawa, Hokkaido! DIVERGING POINT is a three-piece band featuring YUTA, RYOSUKE, and TAKUY.
They released the EP “stepwise” in March 2023 and also drew attention with the mini-album “ALWAYS BE YOURSELF.” Their appeal lies in melancholic melodies and an aggressive sound that hark back to the melodic punk of the 2010s!
gasoline tankTeikoku Kissa
Teikoku Kissa is an Osaka-based rock band formed by members of Kansai University’s light music club.
As of 2023, the lineup consists of frontman Yuki Sugiura, bassist Yo Hikida, drummer Takuto Sugizaki, and guitarist Akuri.
Their songs evoke the youthful spirit of punk bands that found mainstream popularity in the early 2000s.
Even within rock ’n’ roll, their inner cry resonates through the body with a unique allure.
Straightforward lyrics ride on a comfortable ensemble, leaving you with a bright, uplifting feeling.
