[Rock Artists] A roundup of popular Japanese bands
“Who are the artists active in the rock scene?” If you’re a listener who doesn’t usually listen to rock, you might be wondering this.
In Japan’s rock scene, countless bands are active today, and new songs are born every day.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of rock bands that are making waves in the domestic music scene all at once! For those just starting to listen to Japanese rock, we picked bands based on the idea of “the ones you should listen to first.” From up-and-coming groups to legendary bands, we’ll cover a broad spectrum—so start by checking out songs from the bands featured here!
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[Rock Artists] Summary of Popular Japanese Bands (1–10)
Critical HitRADWIMPS
RADWIMPS, one of the bands that represent the Japanese rock scene, shot to widespread recognition among listeners who didn’t typically listen to rock when they handled “Zenzenzense” as the theme song for the 2016 film Your Name.
I think many of the songs they released afterward are familiar even to people who hadn’t known RADWIMPS’ music before.
But if you’re thinking, “I want to start getting into Japanese rock bands,” you should definitely listen to their pre-Zenzenzense tracks as well.
You’ll be blown away by the refreshing, quintessential J-rock guitar sound and the lyrics brimming with wordplay.
RADWIMPS is a band you should absolutely listen to while following along with the lyrics.
Touch offUVERworld
Hailing from Shiga Prefecture, UVERworld is one of those renowned bands known not only in the Japanese rock scene but also among listeners who don’t usually listen to rock.
Many people may have first heard their music through the anime theme songs they worked on.
But they have plenty of other cool tracks too, so definitely give them a listen.
Their must-hear mixture-style rock is driven by the combination of vocalist TAKUYA∞’s straightforward, powerful singing and the band’s heavy, loud instrumental sound.
1106WANIMA
One of the bands leading the Japanese rock scene of the 2010s is WANIMA.
It’s no exaggeration to say they helped broaden rock’s appeal even among listeners who don’t usually listen to the genre.
The charm of WANIMA’s music lies in its uplifting, encouraging lyrics and the rapid, melodic hardcore drive.
At the same time, their repertoire includes many songs whose words and melodies deeply touch the heart.
Beyond the tracks often featured as their signature songs, be sure to check out their ballads too—you can really feel the warmth of the members’ personalities.
[Rock Artists] Summary of Popular Japanese Bands (11–20)
flash[Alexandros]
![flash[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xfG6L9I7N8I/sddefault.jpg)
In addition to providing theme songs for dramas and movies, the rock band [Alexandros], which has also produced numerous commercial jingles, is an indispensable presence when discussing today’s Japanese rock scene.
Their quintessential J-rock guitar-driven sound is elevated by vocalist Yohei Kawakami’s clear, expansive voice.
Their catalog ranges from fresh, approachable tunes to aggressive, hard-hitting rock numbers, so try exploring to find songs that match your favorite vibe.
LOVE PHANTOMB’z
B’z is a rock duo that represents Japan, consisting of guitarist Takahiro Matsumoto and vocalist Koshi Inaba.
Since their debut in 1988, they have remained at the forefront of the music scene.
Centered on hard rock while incorporating acoustic guitar, their sound shows the influence of Led Zeppelin.
They are veteran hitmakers with many popular songs, including their first million seller “LADY NAVIGATION” and “ultra soul,” which was the theme song for the World Aquatics Championships.
TemptationGLAY
When it comes to visual-kei rock bands from Hokkaido, GLAY comes to mind.
Centered around vocalist TERU and guitarist TAKURO, the band was formed in 1988 in Hakodate, Hokkaido.
Although they were initially regarded as a visual-kei band, they went on to achieve broad popularity that transcended that label.
They released a string of major hits such as “HOWEVER,” “Kuchibiru,” and “Yuuwaku,” and have won numerous awards including the Japan Record Award and the All Japan Cable Broadcast Award.
upsetHump Back
Hump Back is a girls’ rock band known for songs that confront inner anxieties and worries.
They’re recognized for representative tracks like “Haikei, Shonen yo,” and their guitar sound, characteristic of a three-piece band, is a major draw.
Their passionate vocals, which match the highly message-driven lyrics, are deeply moving.
Another appeal is their rich melodic lines that can captivate fans of pop and anime songs alike.
With many tracks themed around “life” and “dreams,” it’s no wonder they’re supported by people of all genders.
Be sure to pay attention to the straightforward, passionate vocals of Momoko Hayashi as you listen.
