Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Foreign Rock Bands, Popular Bands
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!
- Popular Western Music Band Rankings [2026]
- Cool Western music bands. Recommended overseas bands that will get you pumped just by listening.
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- The Greatest American Rock Band [All Time Best]
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- [2026] A roundup of the best UK bands, featuring many up-and-coming acts!
- 90s Rock Revolution! A Collection of Masterpieces by Western Bands That Colored the 90s
- Masterpiece and hit songs by recommended Western bands from the 2000s
- [2026] Trending Western Music: The Latest Hit Songs to Watch
- Classic songs by foreign (non-Japanese) all-female bands. Recommended popular tracks.
- [2026] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples!
- Western pop music popular with Gen Z. Hit songs.
Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Western Bands, Popular Bands (41–50)
Country GirlPrimal Scream
If I had to sum it up in one phrase, Primal Scream is a band with impeccable taste.
They’re great at incorporating the latest sounds and ushering new trends to rock fans who are typically more closed off.
Bobby, the vocalist, is over 50, but he’s a youthful, lean rock star.
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.
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.
Bitter Sweet SymphonyThe Verve
In the late 1990s, when Oasis lost momentum, I think this band was the one supporting British rock.
It’s probably Radiohead in truth, but for personal reasons I’ll give the nod to this one.
You could even say they created a new kind of psychedelic music.
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.
ThunderstruckAC/DC
AC/DC is a rock band that represents Australia.
Centered around brothers Angus Young on lead guitar and Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, the band was formed in 1973.
Their 1980 album Back in Black became a massive hit, catapulting them to worldwide attention.
Although their steadfast devotion to a blues-rock style has not been as widely embraced in Japan as it has elsewhere, leading to a different reception compared to their global acclaim, the two guitarist brothers are still recognized as model players and frequently featured in guitar magazines.
Don’t Wanna FightAlabama Shakes
Anyway, the sound is amazing.
Especially the rich, full-bodied feel of the guitar strings—can there be any better recording than this? And the soulful vocals, plus the drums that are a bit off-kilter in a way that actually highlights the band’s strengths even more.
There aren’t many bands this outstanding, are there?