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!

[A Guide to Western Rock] Recommended Western Bands, Popular Bands (111–120)

Don’t Look Back Into The SunThe Libertines

The Libertines – Don’t Look Back Into The Sun (Official Video)

Don't Look Back Into The SunThe Libertines

They’re the most quintessentially British indie rock band.

This stripped-down sound might seem dull to ears accustomed to J-pop.

But once you get used to these non-overdubbed recordings, it starts to feel like rock.

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[Recommendation of Western Rock] Recommended Western bands, popular bands (121–130)

Everywhere You TurnLongwave

Longwave – Everywhere You Turn (Official Video)

Everywhere You TurnLongwave

What surprised me most was that this band has a music video on VEVO.

I’m grateful that there was a proper release.

I ended up watching it over and over.

It rocks in a really good way, and the guitar sound is super cool.

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HoppipollaSigur Rós

Sigur Ross – Hoppipolla

HoppipollaSigur Rós

An anti-rock, post-rock band.

If you’re tired of three- or four-minute rock songs with strummed guitars, try this church-like, dreamlike music.

It will surely shock you enough to change your outlook on life.

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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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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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Walk This WayAerosmith

Aerosmith – Walk This Way (Live From The Office Depot Center, Sunrise, FL, April 3, 2004)

Walk This WayAerosmith

Aerosmith is the world-famous monster band born on America’s East Coast.

Since their formation in 1970, they’ve continued performing with the original members, despite a few lineup changes over the years.

They drew attention from their 1973 record debut and went on in the ’70s to release a string of classics that left their mark on rock history, including Toys in the Attic, Rocks, and Draw the Line.

While their popularity dipped somewhat in the ’80s, it’s widely known that Run-D.M.C.’s 1986 rap cover of Walk This Way became a massive hit.

After that, they scored more successes with songs like I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, the theme for the film Armageddon, and Jaded, making them a band beloved across two generations.

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Hirata Hiroyasu

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PoisonAlice Cooper

Alice Cooper – Poison

PoisonAlice Cooper

Alice Cooper, known as a pioneer of American shock rock.

His music, which took the world by storm in the 1970s, is rooted in heavy metal and hard rock, yet distinguished by unique, horror film–style staging.

He broke through in 1970 with the single “I’m Eighteen,” and reached his commercial peak with the 1973 album Billion Dollar Babies.

His provocative performances—featuring guillotines and fake blood—sent shockwaves through the rock scene of the time and influenced countless artists.

He still performs regularly, and his theatrical stage shows remain as potent as ever.

If you enjoy dark, horror-tinged productions, he’s an artist you should definitely experience.

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