Japanese alternative indie has gained immense popularity both locally and worldwide due to its catchy sound that blends rock with other genres. Bands that specialize in this style often employ an DIY approach, creating an energetic and unique sound.
This 4-piece band, formed with college classmates, has become well-known for their energetic performances and lyrics, as well as catchy choruses with twin vocals that resonate through each track.
Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Asian Kung-Fu Generation, a Japanese rock band, has amassed an extensive discography that spans eleven studio albums, one live album, fifteen compilation albums, seven extended plays, thirty singles and sixy-nine music videos since they formed. Led by lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Masafumi Gotoh with bassist Kensuke Kita and drummer Takahiro Yamada rounding out their lineup.
Their musical style is heavily influenced by seminal 1990s alternative rock and punk bands like Weezer, Oasis, Teenage Fanclub Radiohead and The Smashing Pumpkins – these influences manifest as fast tempos, distinctive guitar riffs with hard edges, rhythmic grooves, emotional lyrics and emotional melodies in their songs.
As their popularity increased, AKFG embarked on extensive national tours. They performed at numerous summer rock festivals such as Summer Sonic 05 and Rising Sun Rock Fes 2005 as well as released their second live DVD called Eizo Sakuhinshu Vol. 2.
Brother Sun Siter Moon
Three-member independent band that performs high quality music videos of their royal pop songs. Led by vocalist Yukie Matsuda – who graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University’s Light Music Club – their songs will surely enchant audiences of any age and musical taste.
Mesmerizing pop band that blends upbeat melodies with thoughtful stories for an engaging sound. Their music and vocal style has attracted wide support across Japan’s indie scene, making them one of the rising stars of today.
Brother Sun Siter Moon depicts Saint Francis of Assisi during his early years and conversion from wealth to charity and service, often drawing comparisons to Zeffirelli’s other flower power movies, Romeo and Juliet and Jesus of Nazareth; it retells ancient tales with contemporary themes while maintaining timeless spirituality.
Thee Michelle Gun Elephant
Thee Michelle Gun Elephant (TMGE), formed in 1995 in Japan and released their debut album Wonder Style that same year; their second, Cult Grass Stars followed two years later, followed by Gear Blues which proved a smash hit across America in 1998. Chiba Yusuke led this band’s composition as they took influence from The Headcoats, Billy Childish, the Damned, MC5 as well as other acts to craft its unique sound characterized by Abe Futoshi’s thrashy guitar riffs combined with Yusuke’s raspy yet mod vocals create its unique character and give their music its unique rough-as-rock-gets sound that gave their music its distinct edge and rough-as-rock feel.
Gear Blues was the album on which TMGE first made an impactful statement with their sound, showing off both their sense of fun and hard rock influence in equal measures. Particularly infectious tracks include “Brain Down” and “Boiled Oil”, both driving tracks which made TMGE an American success before its disbandment in 2003 and subsequent live album released that same year entitled Last Heaven.
TAMI
Band formed among college circle mates that play music that is fresh and sophisticated with powerful female vocals, recalling UK rock acts such as Oasis in style while offering addictive melodies.
Neo-acoustic band featuring a girl with an extraordinary high pitched voice that stands out and touches you deep within your soul. Their music features elegant guitars that cannot help but draw you in.
Japanese rock band Toshiko Akiba stands out with an inimitable sound. Their songs ooze emotion, creating an immersive listening experience. Their unique worldview makes them stand out among their counterparts. You’re bound to fall in love with them over time – making them an excellent starting point if you’re new to visual kei!
Thee Miyoshi
An all-girl rock band that blends pop with rock music. Their songs are simple yet catchy and their vocalist’s beautiful, while the songs feature unique elements inspired by traditional Japanese culture. Highly recommended!
Three-piece band from Osaka. Their eccentric music features elegant guitars. With unique songs and high-level performances that will win you over, this three-piece is certain to capture your heart!
Japanese band, formed in 2020. Their unique sound fuses traditional Japanese culture and contemporary indie pop. Their songs are catchy and their lyrics will keep you hooked for days on end! Their sound reminds of UK rock scenes while their vocals sound great – an ideal recommendation for fans of indie and alternative rock music!
The Squirrels
Japanese alternative rock has quickly gained international popularity due to its distinctive mix of distorted guitar riffs and fast-paced rhythms, drawing upon elements from punk, pop and jazz music genres to produce an energetic yet melodic soundscape.
Buck-Tick (stylized as BUCK-TICK) is an internationally acclaimed Japanese rock band which started as a visual kei band but later moved away from that movement. Since forming in 1978, they have released 19 albums over three decades, becoming widely renowned and responsible for popularizing this genre.
Mucc is a Japanese musical group best known as visual kei metal band Mukku (Mutsuku, stylized as MUCC). They are best known for their artistic use of autotune/vocoder and screaming/growls in their songs as well as energetic live performances.
Thee Maeda Kazushi
Though Maeda never gained the star status he deserved, he remains an integral figure in puroresu’s early history and its most visible proponent. He earned himself an enormous following among Japanese audiences and was one of its top draws.
Maeda attracted huge crowds when he wrestled Andre the Giant and Don Neilsen (then an established boxer) on the undercard of Inoki’s poor performance in 1986. This match-up attracted record audiences!
Maeda was also one of the founding members of the UWF, which revolutionised its style and allowed All Japan and K-1 promotions to move away from count outs and disqualification finishes as their default finishes. Unfortunately, due to new knockdown systems and lack of cross-promotion with other wrestling companies, UWF would eventually fold. Reformed under RINGS brand as hybrid wrestling promotion (re-forming as UWF after new knockdown system came into place), becoming the world’s largest hybrid wrestling promotion ever seen before then).
Thee Nocturnes
Nocturnes exude coolness and detachment, like your thoughtful world traveller friend who always provides helpful insights. Yet they can be highly expressive and poetic at times too. They resemble second-wave Birmingham psychedelics in this regard; though never reaching mainstream success, they provide an engaging listening experience. Erik Wollo’s characteristic melodies float above sections of arpeggiated, unsettling cluster-chords and atmospheric floating background drones. Nocturnes are not only designed for keyboard experts; any music lover with even an interest in classical music will enjoy them too. Like candy for the mind stem, these six movements of Never Before Commercially Released Material by Wollo are an absolute must have! Four parts have already been released through his Myspace page.
Thee Osaka Girls
Naomi Osaka is an example of an Osaka girl. She’s beautiful, smart, and works hard at tennis; in addition, she supports the Play Academy which uplifts and empowers girls through physical play and has even reached Haiti, her father’s country of birth.
Osaka Gals CCC, a women’s soccer team renowned for their comical joke strategies to trick opponents is another prime example of an Osaka girl team. They successfully duped Raimon, a professional team, into underestimating them due to being female – this proved successful for them!
Thee Fukuoka Girls
Fukuoka, Japan is known for having some of the cutest girls around; yet with its patriarchal society that expects women to remain home and care for children, the odds of meeting an expatriate guy for dinner is remote.
Fukuoka girls are generally open to dating foreigners, and many are looking forward to finding long-term love connections. Just make sure that when approaching them you respect their culture and social norms or else the experience may quickly turn unpleasant. Be clear and upfront with them about your intentions when approaching them; they will appreciate this gesture and wish you good luck with dating in Fukuoka!