Lovely Western music

Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Foreign Rock Bands, Popular Bands

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

You still hear people say things like, “I listen to Japanese rock bands, but I’m not so good with Western music,” even today, when it’s easier than ever to listen online to music from any era and anywhere in the world from the comfort of your home.

There are many reasons for this, but it seems some people feel a hurdle simply because the lyrics aren’t in Japanese.

So this time, we’ll introduce recommended Western rock bands for those who are thinking of getting into Western rock.

From legendary big names to bands lighting up the 2020s, we’ve picked a diverse lineup to enjoy!

Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Western Bands, Popular Bands (41–50)

Come TogetherSpiritualized

Come Together

Come TogetherSpiritualized

They’re one of the quintessentially eccentric rock bands from the UK.

They have an extraordinary obsession with sound, so I recommend listening to them on high-end audio or in hi-res.

I think you can also feel their dedication to the guitar in this music video.

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Do YouSpoon

Spoon — “Do You” (Official Music Video)

Do YouSpoon

They’re a band that shows you the depth of America.

People often say the UK, being the country of the Beatles, has more bands with meticulously crafted melodies, but that’s not actually the case.

The U.S.

also has plenty of quirky pop-rock bands.

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Far Gone And OutThe Jesus and Mary Chain

The Jesus And Mary Chain – Far Gone And Out (Official Music Video)

Far Gone And OutThe Jesus and Mary Chain

This is The Jesus and Mary Chain, who likely influenced Japanese rock bands as well.

The band became famous for their noise feedback, and the eardrum-shattering volume of their sound is legendary.

They’re also known as the first band signed to Creation Records, the label that Oasis later joined.

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mOBSCENEMarilin Manson

Marilyn Manson – mOBSCENE

mOBSCENEMarilin Manson

Marilyn Manson is a rock band known for its heavy, near-heavy-metal sound and dark aesthetic.

Formed in 1989, they later changed the band’s name to match that of the vocalist, Marilyn Manson.

From the late 1990s, they began ranking high on music charts and soon became known to music fans around the world.

They have many classic albums, but a good place to start would be their best-of compilation, Lest We Forget: The Best Of.

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Youngblood5 Seconds of Summer

5 Seconds of Summer – Youngblood (Official Video)

Youngblood5 Seconds of Summer

5 Seconds of Summer are a rock band from Australia—not the UK or the US.

They originally started out on YouTube, covering songs by various artists, gradually growing their fanbase and climbing to their current status—a very modern origin story for a band.

Their sound is also highly contemporary: while they’re a band, they actively incorporate electronic elements into their music.

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