Recommended Japanese techno bands. Popular and signature songs with technopop sound.
When we think of techno, the image that comes to mind is Detroit in the United States—rooted in Black music, a sound derived from the then-buzzing house music that energized the underground scene.
From there, its popularity spread to Europe and, before long, it became something you could frequently hear in Japan as well, interpreted under the term “technopop.”
Fast-forward to today, techno retains a strong following, with many musicians incorporating techno-inspired approaches into band formats.
In this feature, we’ll introduce works by Japanese techno and technopop bands and units, both old and new!
You’ll find tracks brimming with classic new wave vibes and synth-pop, with elements of rock crossing over too.
Some groups aren’t even organized in the conventional band format, which makes the scene feel all the more fresh.
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Recommended Japanese techno bands. Popular and signature technopop tracks (11–20)
KEMURIMondo Grosso
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.
Ricky’s Hand Feat.BODILTakkyu Ishino
Takkyu Ishino’s track featuring BODIL, a New Wave artist based in the Kansai region, is a rendition of Fad Gadget’s “Ricky’s Hand.” The song comes together as a perfect fit, blending the playful, dance-inducing sound of Takkyu Ishino—one of Japan’s leading techno artists—with the fresh energy of up-and-coming artist BODIL.
Whyyahyel
A five-piece band formed in 2015.
With a VJ among the members, you can sense the influence of techno and other club music.
Their sound is stylish and highly attuned, resonating with the contemporary international music scene.
Ship In ShipNeon
A band that follows a unique path combining techno and rock, they’re popular not only for their sampling and electronic sounds but also for their live performances with a full band.
Their hallmark is shimmering, flowing melodies that feel like being bathed in light named “sound,” and while grounded in techno and disco music, this luxurious track also lets you savor a rock sensibility.
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This is a technopop band centered around Seiho—who has been highly active in recent years with overseas performances and collaborations with Akiko Yano—and Avec Avec, who made a name in the scene with releases from the internet music label Maltine Records.
reiji no machipasokon ongaku kurabu
PC Music Club is attracting attention as a rising star on Japan’s techno scene.
Their tracks, which modernize the warmth of analog synths and vintage tones, linger pleasantly in your ears.
Rooted in a deep respect for game music and techno from the 1980s to the 1990s, they keep releasing innovative sounds one after another.
That’s why they’re especially recommended for music fans seeking a sense of nostalgia.
Once you listen to their music, you’ll inevitably find your body moving to the rhythm.
Recommended Japanese techno bands: Popular and signature technopop tracks (21–30)
Pike (1980 At Shibuya Public Hall)Hikashū
Formed in 1977 by Makoto Inoue and Yasushi Yamashita, who handled the music for a play produced by vocalist Koichi Makigami.
The following year, the band Le Inchi, featuring Seido Kairin and Tetsu Tobe, joined forces, and they began working as a five-piece.
Incidentally, the lineup changes at the time were complex, and are described in detail in Koichi Makigami’s book “Boku Konna ni Obaka-san.” Although they were recognized for several years after their debut as a band with a sound rooted in New Wave, rock, and technopop, from the outset they had been pursuing an approach that incorporated theater, free improvisation, and world/folk music.
They have continued to absorb a wide range of elements—including jazz, classical, and gagaku—and today aim for a non-genre music in which improvisation forms the core of their performance, with improvisation and composition coexisting.