Recommended Japanese techno bands. Popular and signature songs with technopop sound.

Musical ChairsMETA FIVE

METAFIVE – Musical Chairs

This is a miraculous six-member band comprising luminaries of Japanese techno music who are active worldwide: Yukihiro Takahashi of YMO, Keigo Oyamada (Cornelius), Yoshinori Sunahara (formerly of Denki Groove), the world-renowned techno producer TOWA TEI, Tomohiko Gondo, and LEO Imai.

Computer GrandmaKosumikku Inbenshon

Computer Grandma

Cosmic Invention was a technopop band formed by Kazuo Morioka, founder of the electronic instrument maker Firstman, who gathered members of the same generation around his daughter Mima Morioka.

At the time, the members’ youth—they were in junior high school—also became a hot topic.

The lineup included Seiki Ando, Katsumi Sato, Kanna Hashimoto, and keyboardist Yoshimasa Inoue, who is now known as a composer for groups like AKB48.

They were chosen as the opening act for YMO’s Nippon Budokan concert and debuted in 1981 with the single “YAKIMOKI.” Mima Morioka’s style of singing while playing drums and their irresistibly catchy pop sound are truly captivating! Their legendary classic “Computer Obaachan” (Computer Grandma), known from NHK’s Minna no Uta and covered by various artists including Perfume and POLYSICS, has been beloved for many years.

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girlBOOM BOOM SATELLITES

BOOM BOOM SATELLITES　『GIRL-Full ver.-』

This band became a topic of conversation due to the passing of a member, and among their work, this track is especially popular.

It’s an emotional song that conveys a dark worldview while also capturing the unique atmosphere of the scene at the time.

As a direction that combines techno and rock, you could say they were a band that made a significant impact on later generations.

Threshold Head MixSOFT BALLET

Threshold Head Mix　SOFT BALLET

An electronic band consisting of three members: Ryoichi Endo, Maki Fujii, and Ken Morioka.

They produced many synth-pop tracks that incorporated sounds from electro-pop, new wave, and industrial, and together with their look, they gained a passionate following around 1990.

Their live performances are famous for a striking contrast: a vocalist singing passionately; a keyboardist/guitarist standing stock-still, glaring at the audience; and another keyboardist waving a folding fan and dancing freely and whimsically.

The distinctive stage presence of the three, combined with their synth-pop sound, ignited their popularity!

CATCHgroup_inou

group_inou / CATCH

A band consisting of two members, Imai and CP.

Blending elements of techno music and hip-hop with a rock-like catharsis, their sound is both raw and delicate—an addictive force that captures listeners’ ears and won’t let go.

Part of mePolysics

POLYSICS 『Part of me』

They’re a new wave technopop rock band consisting of four members: Hayashi on guitar, vocals, programming, synthesizer, and vocoder; Fumi on bass, vocals, programming, and vocoder; Yano on drums and backing vocals; and Nakamura Ryo on guitar, synthesizer, and voice.

Heavily inspired by Devo, they initially referred to the members by code names—POLY-1, POLY-2, POLY-3, and POLY-4—when the band first formed.

Incidentally, the band’s name comes from the beloved Korg Polysix owned by Kaneko, an early member who handled synthesizers.

KEMURIMondo Grosso

MONDO GROSSO / KEMURI (Retune) ［Vocal : RHYME］

An avant-garde track created without being confined to the framework of techno.

Its sensibility leans toward punk and new wave.

As you can tell from the music video, it’s expressed at a very high level as pop as well, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself replaying it over and over—an intensely addictive quality that’s quintessentially MONDO GROSSO.

The way English and Japanese are exquisitely mixed while preserving both rhythm and visuals is also exhilarating.

In its early days, the group operated in a band format with several members, led by Shinichi Osawa.