[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 (71–80)
BABY BABYGOING STEADY
A four-piece rock band formed in 1996.
They were also one of the bands that helped spark the early-2000s melodic hardcore boom.
Vocalist Mineta’s rough yet straightforward singing voice is truly one of a kind! This song is a masterpiece in which Mineta cries out his love.
Its catchy, lingering melody is especially memorable.
Make it crisp!Gacharic Spin
Among Japanese girl bands, perhaps they’re the most deserving of being called the real powerhouse.
Their performance and technique are so strong that talking about male versus female feels pointless—each of them is skilled enough to release their own instructional video.
EMOTION POTIONTHE BAWDIES
Formed on January 1, 2004.
This four-piece band has been gaining popularity with songs rooted in rock ’n’ roll and their fiery live performances.
The vocalist ROY’s unbelievably thick, powerful voice—hard to believe he’s Japanese—is full of appeal! Combined with the heavy instrumentation, it makes for a truly cool track.
Ego Search & DestroyDoresukōzu
This is a track included on the 2017 album “Heibon” (“Ordinary”).
It has an easy-listening pop sound, but the lyrics carry a lot of depth, making you reflect on the word “heibon,” the album’s title.
The clever, twisty music video is also a must-see.
Dreams, Bach, and CaffeineThe Birthday
A four-piece rock band formed around Yusuke Chiba, formerly of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant.
Chiba’s insanely cool raspy voice is one of a kind.
With its languid, laid-back vibe, striking guitar work, and Chiba’s vocals, this track is just unbelievably cool!
Keep on believin’MORGIC
How about sprinting through your youth with high-velocity melodic punk? We are MORGIC, a three-piece band from Nagoya, Aichi.
We kicked off full-scale activities with our first live show at live house R.A.D in February 2023.
Our 1st demo, “GRADE UP CONTACT,” sold out its limited run of 500 copies.
Our diverse sound—featuring elements like ska punk—is a key part of our appeal.
If you want to charge toward your dreams or celebrate youth with your friends, don’t miss their music!
You side meOdd Lazy
Odd Lazy is a rock band from Osaka, formed by Narutomi and Sasuke.
They released their demo “Brilliant edge” in 2020.
With emotional melodies and powerful rhythms, they wield an addictive sound that also incorporates elements of pop punk.
Their relatable lyrics, which sing about everyday struggles and hope, are another key draw.
Following the March 2024 release of “TWiNKLE NiGHT,” they embarked on a nationwide tour, expanding their reach.
Keep an eye on what they do next!