[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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[J-Rock] Recommended Japanese Rock Bands (51–60)
somedaySaucy Dog
This song feels good with its simple melody and unadorned, natural vocals.
It’s a track included on the first mini-album “Country Road,” released in 2017.
The lyrics, written as if speaking to someone dear, let Saucy Dog’s gentleness shine through.
BirdmenTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
A four-piece rock band known for a sound that evokes 1960s–70s punk, pub rock, and garage rock, while incorporating plenty of blues rock and rockabilly elements.
Their coolness has earned them a legendary reputation.
This track showcases vocalist Chiba’s appeal to the fullest—the shouts are absolutely thrilling!
MilkWANIMA
WANIMA is a three-piece rock band whose upbeat lyrics and exhilarating melodic hardcore sound—paired with their sunny personalities—are a major draw.
They enjoy broad popularity, from students and other young listeners to adults who frequented live houses back in the ’90s.
One reason is that they were picked up by PIZZA OF DEATH, led by Ken Yokoyama of Hi-STANDARD, a band indispensable to any discussion of Japan’s melodic hardcore scene.
Their songs feel nostalgic to the AIR JAM generation and fresh to younger audiences—that’s the secret of their appeal.
Although I introduced them as “bright and positive,” they also have many ballads that gently resonate with listeners’ hearts.
Through their music, you can sense that vocalist KENTA has overcome similar struggles and that he’s a kind person—and that, too, is part of their charm.
Mondayamazarashi
This is a song written specifically for the manga Monday’s Friends.
It was released in 2018 as a digital-only single.
Amazarashi’s lyrics, woven in beautiful Japanese, and the resonant, heartfelt vocals seem to reach deep into the heart.
[Japanese Rock] Recommended Japanese Rock Bands (61–70)
Revolveryonige
yonige is a two-member girls’ band from Osaka.
Their simple yet refreshing sound—like what you’d hear in a school light music club—is very popular.
They’re also known for lyrics that candidly express real, relatable feelings, especially resonant for women.
It’s the kind of band you’ll want to listen to after a heartbreak.
rose flowerkururi
They’re a band from Kyoto that made their major-label debut with “Tokyo” in 1998.
Their songs, which incorporate elements of folk and hip-hop, combine with deeply nuanced lyrics to create a one-of-a-kind world that only Quruli can offer.
The annual Kyoto Music Expo held in their hometown has become a fixture, and collaborations with artists across genres are another highlight.
New Treasure IslandSakanakushon
Sakanaction is a band I’d recommend even to people who are already bored with ordinary music.
Musically, they certainly have rock elements, but they also incorporate a variety of influences like overseas pop and underground dance music.
Their songs are of incredibly high quality, so music nerds are sure to be satisfied!
