Daily J-Rock News

News
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Some of you might recall me mentioning the individual iPod_of_Mine on the topic of J-Indie playlist curation who has put together yearly music video playlists since 2017. Given their consistent, daily, curation, this should be something “translated” over to something like a “Minor News Thread” that we had on Monochrome Heaven

From today onward, there will be a daily post in this thread with the date, music videos, relevant SNS and purchase links for each pop-rock/rock artist. If a band mentioned here gains greater relevancy within the forum and someone wants to make a topic for them, feel free to do so. This is something that can be done fairly easily, and should help diversify the kind of music we see on the forum.

Additionally, if someone finds a non-visual kei music video for a specific date I’ve included that isn’t on iPod_of_Mine’s playlist and wants it included retroactively, I can do so. Just let me know in a DM.

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.19

Boyish - 青い雨

TUNECORE

Profile: Boyish initially started in 2012. The group has continued to release albums while fluctuating in musicality and members, with a focus on guitar pop. Currently a three-piece group, the group performs mainly in Tokyo, and plans to release an album in 2023.

ONIONRING - Curtain Call

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Formed in 2009 by Takeshi (Gu./Vo.) & Task (Ba./Vo.). Their melodic punk-based songs with pop punk, power pop, emo, and other elements are supported by a wide range of people, and their live performances with overwhelmingly good melodies and full of passion are performed in various places.

Midgal - 85号線のゴースト

LIT.LINK | TIK TOK | TWITTER

Profile: Midgal began its activities in July 2022. Punk/mello-core/garage/ska/mixture, anything rock, not a monster band but a “Dinosaur band”. “We will become more gigantic and turn Nippon into a big playground this summer!”

ELECTRIC MAMA - Black Hole Love

OHP | SPOTIFY | TWITTER

Profile: In 2004 the group began its activities with a unique two-person formation of drum vocals and guitar. Gradually influenced by new wave and electro house, the band celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2014 and continues a new structure as an electro-rock unit of vocalist and guitarist/trackmaker.

8 Likes
3

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.20

ジンバジ - おさんぽ

OHP | LINKCLOUD.MU | TWITTER

Profile: Formed in Feb 2017, they’re a choppy, “lazy” three-piece pop band from Osaka consisting of Nikki (Ba., Vo.), Sho_to (Gt.), and Yuma (Dr.). The band has a wide range of songs, with catchy phrases and melodies that never get old, and Nikki’s distinctive voice that captivates everyone who hears her vocals.

Revival feat. asmi - wacci

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER
ASMI TIKTOK | TWITTER

Profile: “Woe to the weeping,” in the lives of all who hear it. The band wacci, formed in 2009, creates pop music that you can gently enter into. They deliver songs that make you laugh a little after you cry, and laugh more after you laugh.

This track features the singer-songwriter ASMI who debuted as an indie musician in 2019 and is now affiliated with Sony Music. She has done songs for anime series Rent-A-Girlfriend, Urusei Yatsura (Reboot), and Pokémon Horizons.

703号室 - Sing for me

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Project formed in Aug 2018 by Yuzuna Okatani, Vo.&Gt. initially with three classmates from a vocational school in Yokohama. Upon graduation, has continued this as a full-fledged solo project.

This song is a collaborative effort with the “Silent Riot” web manga series on YouTube.

東京初期衝動 - 恋セヨ乙女

OHP | SPOTIFY | TWITTER

Profile: 21st century hip-hop chestnut picking quartet whose activities began in April 2018. Lore: Asuka (Ba.) end up in Uganda on the way, undeterred, she continues her activities. Nao (Dr.) joins from Cambodia. Nozomi (Gu.) goes to Brazil to train in soccer. Shiina (Vo.) from Papua New Guinea. All returned home in July 2018. Other bio.

a子 - あたしの全部を愛せない

BIO.TO | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Started activities in late-2019 and was one of “THE ROOKIES OF 2022” by 88rising. Breathy vocals with an ethereal style/production.

the whimsical glider - 夜を越えて

OHP | COOF RECORDS WEBSHOP | TWITTER

Profile: A four piece band formed in 2017 consisting of Toma Okamoto (Vo./Gu.), Masahiko Sueyoshi (Gu.), Daiki Terauchi (Ba.), and Kousei Fujiwara (Dr.). the whimsical glider. It’s about the same as うぃむじかる. whimsical=気まぐれ. The name is a bit hard to read, but once you learn it you are good to go. Gentle and powerful, you and your music.

リフの惑星 - RUMBLE

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Formed in 2016 by Ogata (Vo.), formerly of ogtz, and Kobayashi (Ba.), formerly of The SALOVERS, formed the group in 2016. In 2019, Yu Otsuki (Gt.) and Reigo Matsumaru (Dr.) joined to form the current lineup. 12 consecutive months of digital singles and music videos have been released since May 2019, garnering attention.

3 Likes
4

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.21

Homeparties - I know that

OHP | LINKCLOUD.MU

Profile: Homeparties is a three-piece rock band based in Nagoya, Japan.Formed in 2022, the band’s roots are in 90’s alternative rock and 00’s indie rock, and they aim to create "catchy songs that you can put on your favorite playlist and listen to over and over again. Released 2nd EP “AB” on 6/7/2023.

怪獣ブランコ - ボーイ

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

Profile: A 3 piece rock band from Okayama, Japan who started activities in Feb 2021. Consists of Pechika (Vo./Gt.), Sachiwo (Ba.), and Mayuka (Dr.).

Hump Back - Linger

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: A 3 piece rock band from Osaka formed in 2009. Consists of Moeko Hayashi(Vo./Gt.), Pika(Ba./Cho.), and Misaki(Dr./Cho.)

ミートグリーンペッパーズ。 - わかちこ

OHP | ZOONET | TWITTER

Profile: A three-piece rock band from Nagoya, Japan. Melodic, guitar rock, fist, ska, ballad, they produce a wide variety of music regardless of genre. Catchy melodies and highly sympathetic lyrics with the colorful guitar riffs of Yutako (Gt./Cho.) change color from song to song. Hot MC by Yoshiya (Ba./Vo.) is another attraction of the live performance.

Gentleness that makes you want to hold hands
The sweet and sour taste of forgotten youth
Here’s where you can stay straight.
A band that drinks alcohol to snack on dreams, love, love, and life.

Aivy - キミの話

OHP | WEBSHOP | TWITTER

Profile: Aivy’s realistic and sensitive life-sized lyrics resonate with the heart-rending vocals and sound. Started activities in 2021 and consist of Kamo (Vo.), Johnkota (Gt.), Ryota/Inacci (Ba.), and Ganji Hashimoto (Dr.).

ミイ - 生(きてる)ゴミ

OHP | LNK.TO | TIKTOK | TWITTER

Profile: June 9, 2021, “Mii” activity begins. Seitaro Suwa is the core drummer, and he is actively involved in the band’s activities. A “four-piece” rock band consisting of Ken Jujinuma (Vo./Gu.), Hidekazu Tsuji (Gu.), and Gen Yoshida (Ba./Cho.).

グソクムズ - チルチルクラブ

OHP | BIG-UP.STYLE | TWITTER

Profile: A four-piece band based in Kichijoji, Tokyo, and dubbed “Neo Fuu Machi” (Neo Wind Town).
He is strongly influenced by Happy End, Wataru Takada, Sugar Babe, and others. Formed in 2014 as a folk unit by Eizo Tanaka (Vo./Gt.) and Yuki Kato (Gt.); Yusuke Horibe (Ba) joined in 2016 and Yushi Nakajima (Dr.) in 2018 to form the current lineup. Their debut album “Gusokumuzu” won the 14th CD Shop Grand Prize 2022. In 2022, they released “Gusokumuzukan”, a collection of early sound sources including a new song “Natsu ga Kaoru”, and on December 14, they released their second album “Jolly Holiday”.

サイダーガール - Bluebell

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Aiming for such “carbonated sound”, Yurin (Vo./Gt.), Tomo (Gt.), and Fujimura (Ba.), who were active mainly on video websites, formed the group in May 2014. The fact that they never appear in the media, including the Internet, and can only be seen in person at live venues, combined with their “carbonated” sound, has created a buzz, and on July 26, 2017, they made their major label debut with the single “Evergreen” from Universal Japan. They’ve done several nationwide tours since then.

フレンズ - 愛をやめない

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Four piece band from Shinsen, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo formed June 8, 2015. A mixed-gender Shinsenkei band consisting of Emison (Vo.), Taro Miura (Gu./Vo./Cho.), Ryohei Nagashima (Ba./Cho.), and Rui Sekiguchi (Dr./Cho.). Friendship, love, and the subtleties of daily life are expressed with a variety of pop sounds, along with the exquisitely intertwined originality and groove of the four members, all of whom have different careers and roots. Their happy and emotional live performances, which are created together with the audience, make hearts dance and are very popular among both men and women of all ages. As a one-of-a-kind pop icon, they radiate overwhelming energy in a sparklingly flexible manner.

ワンダフル放送局 - 青春みたいだ

OHP | WEBSHOP | TWITTER

Profile: Four piece rock band who started activities in 2020. Consists of wan (Gt./Vo.), Yuudai (Ba.), Miya (Dr.), and Haru (Gt.). “Once you listen to it, you’ll be hooked.”

2 Likes
5

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.22

um-hum - Plastic L

OHP | NEX-TONE.LINK | TWITTER

Profile: A progressive R&B band from Osaka with an average age of 21, formed about 2 years ago. Ron Renon (Gu.), who composes all of the songs, is influenced by a variety of music including The Beatles, Jamiroquai, Robert Glasper, and Emon Kawatani, but his style is so original that one cannot tell the roots of his music at first listen.The three instrumentalists, all of whom grew up in jazz clubs, give outstanding performances, and Noa Oda, who did all the jacket illustrations, wrote some of the lyrics, and performs live on stage with a chair, creates a captivating stage presence that captures the audience’s attention, making the music of the 20’s ring out.

usurahi - 幻灯

TUNECORE | LINKCO.RE | TWITTER

Profile: Tokyo-based Shinya Sakayori (Gt. A three-piece band consisting of (Vo.) Tasuku Onishi (Gt.) and Ryo Miyake (Ba.), they started production activities in June 2021. In March 2023, they started live performances with supporting members. They arrange, record, mix, and master their music in their private studio. They plan to release a single “Hikaru Rin” on May 14, 2023 and a single “Genkan” in June.

2 Likes
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J-Rock Report for 2023.06.23

Johnny Pandora - Anohino Motorway

OHP | LIT.LINK | TWITTER

Profile: “FOUR SAMURAI ROCK THE WORLD! Black hair, Black eyes, Black leather, This is SAMURAI ROCK’N ROLL”. As the last Rock’n Roll samurai in Japan, Johnny pledges to keep Japanese Rock’n Roll alive in the heart of the Tokyo. "Johnny” Daigo Yamashita, started his musical journey in Tokyo at the age of 18 after first encountering Rock’n Roll during junior high. He followed his new passion and released his first CD in 2011, titled Jeana For Young. He went solo soon after the success of his first album and now is a mainstay performer throughout Tokyo and other major metropolitan cities around the world.He is known around Japan for his unique style of fashion and music. He is one of the few successful, young and promising rockabilly singers in the world.

むすび - シャンデリア

OHP | TWITTER

Profile: A ray of beauty, light and music. Project “musubi”. Active since 2019 consisting of Yui (Vo./Key.), Roy (Gt./Cho.), Yabuoka (Ba.), and Katoumei (Dr./Cho.) The world is beautifully dyed with her powerful singing voice that stretches far and wide with transparency.

シヨ - bremen

OHP | LINKCLOUD.MU | TWITTER

Profile: Started activities in 2011~2012 initially as a “copy-band” in highschool. Officially active since 2021 as Shiyo. Members are Yokota (Vo.), Hayato (Gu.), and Yuusa (Dr.).

batta - Omotesando

LINKTR.EE | LINKCO.RE | TWITTER

Profile: Started activities in 2009 and from 2021 onwards has become Tasu Hoshino’s (Vo./Gt.) solo project. Their song “chase” was an opening for the anime JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable.

WHISPER OUT LOUD - True Self

LINKTR.EE | LINKCLOUD.MU | TWITTER

Profile: WHISPER OUT LOUD is an alternative R&B rock band based in Tokyo that started in 2018. Consists of members Motokichi (Vo.), Kanato (Gu.), and TK (Ba.).

OCEANS - 光の中でまっててね

OHP | TOWER RECORDS (CD) | TWITTER

Profile: Rock band from Hachioji who started activities in 2019. Consists of the members Ando (Vo./Gt.), Gorou (Ba.), and Shou (Dr.).

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:wink:

1 Like
8

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.24

fews - 水槽

OHP | LINKTR.EE | TWITTER

Profile: Pop to protect what little is important to us, who have been overflowing with so many things.
A four-piece band consisting of former Drama Store Vo. Hasegawa Umi, Dr. Matsumoto Kazuya, Key Ayukyo Haruki, and Ba. Fujii Kota. The group will formed and launched in April 2023, with the aim of turning their respective backgrounds of frustration into a “line”.

cozycozy - ルスデン（Drink ver.）

OHP | TOWER RECORDS (CD) | TWITTER

Profile: Formed in 2018. cozycozy is a twin-vocal band based in Tokyo. The members include music writers, arrangers, and studio musicians, and each is also active as a solo artist.The songwriting is characterized by the interplay of two stories within a single song.

GLASGOW - vvaves

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Tokyo-based rock band, active since September 2018. In December 2019, they launched their own label “whiteluck records”. Consists of members Aratani (Vo./Gt.), Eita (Gt.), and Sho (Dr.).

hananashi - 焦がれ

OHP | BIG-UP.STYLE | TWITTER

Profile: A rock band from Kyoto, Japan, consisting of Kento Kimura (Vo./Gt.), Minecchi (Ba./Cho.), and Hiroki Nakanishi (Dr./Cho.), formed in 2018, released their 1st mini album “ありふれた生活の中に” in 2019, steadily expanding their name recognition in the Kansai region, actively playing live in Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo, appearing at festivals such as De La Rock and Miminatte. 2021, released their 1st single “僕ら”, and 2022, their first nationally distributed album, their first full album “ato”.

アンと私 - Tinder

LINKCO.RE | TWITTER

Profile: A rock band that can only be mumbled in a backdoor account. The high tone voice of Futaguchi (Vo./Gt.) and the naked and realistic lyrics are addictive, and subculture-loving menhera with a romantic nature will be shot through with the purity and reality of the music.

1 Like
9

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.25

osage - 青かった。

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Band from Shimokitazawa active since Spring 2017. Consists of members Hiroki Kanehiro (Gt./Cho), Kenta Yamaguchi (Gt./Vo.), Yuki Tanaka (Dr.), and Hiro Kasuma (Ba./Cho.).

是猫 - 最近の事

TUNECORE | TWITTER

Profile: Three-piece band based out of Tokyo. (Very little information on them)

meiyo - バイトル！

OHP | TIKTOK | TWITTER

Profile: A pop maestro in 2021 who has created numerous buzz songs. He started his music career as a drummer in a rock band, and in 2015, he started his solo career under the name “Takashi Watanabe” and changed his name to “meiyo” in 2018.

meiyo has written a support song for the “Baitoru New Life Support Project” called "Baitoru! and released a collaborative music video exclusively on YouTube.

The song is based on the ideas of users’ thoughts about their new lives and their first part-time job. is a song that expresses the feelings and anxieties of first-time part-timers about their new lives. The collaborative music video was produced by Quark, the creator of meiyo’s “クエスチョン” music video, and depicts three people walking toward their dreams while working part-time, and you. The scene in the latter half of the video, where the three of them have a lot of things following behind them, expresses how they are being pushed toward their dreams by the things of their part-time jobs and the things they love.

My first part-time job was Baitoru!

1 Like
10

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.26

YOU’VE GOT A TARGET - Sweet Dreams

OHP | LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: YOU’VE GOT A TARGET (call it :slight_smile: You’ve Got a Target, You’ve Got a Target, etc.) YOU’VE GOT A TARGET, a 2-piece band consisting of TKC(Vo/Ba) and Ruki(Dr/cho). Formed in October 2020 in Nagano, Japan, currently based in Shibuya, Tokyo. The band has roots in rock, alternative, grunge, and other genres, with a heavy-boned beat. Their challenge to become J-POP STARs representing Japan from their hometown Nagano has just begun.

aoni - ALONE

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Active since 2017. Four-piece band consisting of Naoto Yamashita (Gt./Vo.), Kousuke Saito (Ba.), Ikuto Matsukawa (Gt.), and Issei Kobayashi (Dr.).

postman - ミス・ブルームーン

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Started as a predecessor band with friends from a local youth baseball team in Aichi Prefecture, centering on Suki Teramoto (Vo.Gt). Officially started activities in 2014 as “postman”. Consists of members Suki Teramoto, Keitaro Kanemoto (Gu.), Kousuke Asai (Ba.), and Iwatambourine (Dr.).

1 Like
11

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.27

salmon pinknows - クラクラヘアー

OHP | BIG-UP.STYLE | TWITTER

Profile: The music solo project (one-man alternative rock band) by freelance designer “MIZ-C” started in March 2021, featuring songs that combine city pop, dance music, and soul music from around the world in the 80s with contemporary Japanese rock.

Saucy Dog - 魔法が解けたら

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Three-piece band formed in 2013 consisting of Shinya Ishihara (Vo./Gt.), Kazutaka Akisawa (Ba.), and Seto Yuika (Dr./Cho.).

escapes - STARTER

TIKTOK | WEBSHOP | TWITTER

Profile: Three-piece band active since 2020. Consists of members Runami (Gt./Vo.), Fukushima Yurika (Ba./Cho.), and Hayato (Dr./Cho.).

ways - 衛星漂流記

TUNECORE | TWITTER

Profile: We will play music that can save someone. Formerly known as “Lost and found”. (Very little information on them)

Minami - Time Gram

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Singer-songwriter solo project from Saitama active since 2017. Made her major debut under Flying Dog in 2018, and by 2020 changed labels to Warner Music Japan.

やましたりな - ジャンクション

OHP | TOWER RECORDS (CD) | TWITTER

Profile: Soloist from Nara who has been active pre-2015, but expanded activities to Osaka and Kyoto that year. Her song ダイエットのうた was featured in a commercial for TuneCore Japan in 2018 and got a lot of attention.

1 Like
12

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.28

Mercy Woodpecker - トビウオ

OHP | LIT.LINK | TWITTER

Profile: Formed in Kumamoto in 2016, the four-piece guitar rock band (aka “Masipeka”) performs energetically in Kyushu and beyond. The emotional rock sound is a cross between 90’s emo and modern guitar rock, and the powerful and clear voice of the singer attracts listeners.

The Hurry’s - UNIVERSE

TUNECORE | LINKCLOUD.MU | TWITTER

Profile: Formed in 2014, the four-piece band performs live around Sapporo to promote not only Hokkaido’s music scene, but also Hokkaido’s entertainment scene.

kalmia - Supernova

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: 4 piece guitar rock band from Tokyo formed in 2017. In September 2018, although it was once inactive, only four months later, in January 2019, the group resumed its activities with new members.In May 2020, they released their first nationally distributed 2nd EP “Endroll”. The important parts that are hard to convey in words are put into song and delivered by the clear voice of Vo. Chiba.

toro - EUPHORIA

LIT.LINK | BIG-UP.STYLE | TWITTER

Profile: Three-piece band active since April consisting of the members Shuya Umeda (Vo.) Saki Matsushima (Ba.), and Ryuya Onishi (Dr.)

BELL-FLOWER JAM - マリア・ドール

OHP | LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: Formed in Kumamoto on June 3, 2018 under the name “Charlotte” (Charlotte). In January 2021, the band changed its name to “BELL-FLOWER JAM” (bellflower jam). A neo-retro rock ‘n’ roll band that sounds new sounds while going against the times with the creed of Love&Blues. It consists of Gt/Vo Mizoguchi Ryota, Ba/Cho Douzonotatsunosuke, and Dr/Cho Shoutarou, 28.

プランクトン - 億劫

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Plankton" Formed in 2016 at a high school in Nagoya, Japan. After winning the TEENS ROCK IN HITACHINAKA 2017 Grand Prize (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award), they are currently based in Tokyo. As the name of the band implies, “Aiming for the top of the food chain from the bottom of the food chain,” the band is slowly gaining fans with the fragile yet powerful voice and delicate sense of melody of the vocalist, Hana.

パーカーズ - こころなし

OHP | SPOTIFY | TWITTER

Profile: Four-piece band formed in March 2021. “POPS Japan Representative”. Consists of members Kenichiro Toyoda (Gt/Vo), Netaro (Gt/Cho), Naoki (Gt), and Fukatsu (Dr).

Sundae May Club - 晴れるな

OHP | BIG-UP.STYLE | TWITTER

Profile: Three-piece “ultra-super pop” band from Nagasaki formed on May 20, 2019. Consists of members Koyuki Ura(Gt.Vo.), Miyahara (Gt.), and Hiroto (Dr.). They met at the university’s jazz club and hit it off because of their love of rock music.

pachae - ハツがハツラツ

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Three piece band consisting of Daisuke Otoyama (Vo./Gu.), Bambam (Gu.), and Sanae (Key.). (This release had Mitsu (Ba.) and Kazuya Taniwaki (Dr.) as support members)

TENDOUJI - HATTRICK

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Formed in 2014 and comprised of former classmates in junior high school: Naohiko Morita (vocals and guitar), Kenji Asano (vocals and guitar), Takamasa Yoshida (bass guitar), and Naoyuki Oi (drums).Using their unusual melodies and explosive sound influenced by the alternative scene of the 90’s to their advantage, this 4-person band envelops every venue they play at in a happy groove. They are influenced by Teenage Fanclub, Nirvana, Pixies and Pavement. They performed on “SXSW 2018″and”FUJIROCK FESTIVAL2019,2021″”TEENAGE FANCLUB JAPAN TOUR 2019″in Japan, “SUNSET BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL2019” in Thailand. TENDOUJI is one of the most beloved bands on the Tokyo punk/indies/alternativescene. They named their music genre “EASY PUNK”.

SHISHAMO - 夏恋注意報

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Three-piece band consisting of members Asako Miyazaki (Gt./Vo.), Aya Matsuoka (Ba.), and Misaeki Yoshikawa (Dr.). Active since 2013.

CityLovers - あとのはなし

OHP | SPOTIFY | TWITTER

Profile: “Sad” guitar rock from Shimokitazawa, Tokyo. Consists of Nishita Yusei (Gt./Vo.), Abe Shun (Ba.), and tuti.jp (Dr.). Active since 2020.

2 Likes
13

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.29

Gambit - 静く

SPOTIFY | TWITTER

Profile: Three-piece girls band from Aoyama Gakuin consisting of Vo. Gt. Yuhimomo, Ba. Ryuka, and Dr. Momiji Nakagawa

SIX LOUNGE - North Wind

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Japanese rock roll band from Oita formed in 2012 with Gt.Vo. Yumori Yamaguchi, Dr. Shintaro Nagamatsu at the center. 2015 Ba. Iwariku joined.

mol-74 - 0.1s

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Takeichi (Vo, Gt, Key), Inoue (Gt), and Bando (Dr.) formed the band in Kyoto in 2010, and Takahashi (Ba) joined in 2017 to form the current four-piece lineup. After releasing their self-produced album, they have released a total of five mini-albums on the independent market. The band has attracted attention with its delicate sound reminiscent of Scandinavian post-rock, centered on Takeichi’s crystal-clear falsetto voice that captures familiar emotions in everyday life. In January 2021, they performed the ending theme for the TV anime “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations” in October of that year did the ending theme. They’ve also done the ending theme for the TV anime “Blue Period”. In December 2022, they established his own label “11.7”.

1 Like
14

J-Rock Report for 2023.06.30

終活クラブ - 弱パンチで希死念慮

OHP | SPOTIFY | TWITTER

Profile: In August 2020, Shonen Aaaaah (Vo/Gt) and other like-minded members gathered to form End of Life Club in order to start “music to end music”. Based in Niigata, the band is active throughout Japan. While armed with a mysterious band name, pop characters, and other catchy features that attract the attention of others, the band is a Japanese rock band that is a little twisted but absolutely committed to its lyrics. Consists of members Shonen Aaaaah, Ishiguri (Gt.), Hiroki Ishida (Ba.), Mr. Hamo (Key.), Fire Bird (Dr.). (Yes it’s ファイヤー・バード, not a translation thing)

Lenny code fiction - 幸せとは

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Vo.&Gt. Wataru Katagiri / Gt. Sola / Ba. kazu / dr. KANDAI. A four-piece rock band formed in Shiga, centered around Wataru Katagiri. Influenced by movies, the band’s music is based on lyrics and ensembles that focus on emotions such as “desire,” “rebellion,” and “love” that everyone has, and they pursue live performances that express and share these emotions with the audience.

Laica - タイムカプセル

LIT.LINK | TWITTER

Profile: Four-piece band active since 2022. Consists of members Vo. Misuzu, Gt. Yama, Ba. tomoya, and Dr. Zaki.

ジェニーハイ - クラシックハイ

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: This project was launched to raise the profile of BS SKY PerfecTV’s "BAZOOKA !
Formed with the goal of performing on music TV shows and at music festivals, the group was formed by three members: drummer Kazutoyo Kobushi, bassist Kukkii! Furthermore, Takashi Aragaki, whom Kobori recommended as “the most unbelievable keyboardist I know,” was invited to join the band as a keyboardist, and a super-individual band of various geniuses was born!

The vocalist is Ikkyu Nakajima from the band Tricot.

saji - フラッシュバック

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Started activities on July 17, 2019. Their a three-piece rock band formed by the original members of phatmans after school: V.O.&Gt. Takumi Yoshida, Gt. Shinya Utani, and Ba Yoshimitsu Yamazaki. Their two-sided music, one catchy and emotional and the other serious and melancholy, resonates with younger audiences, and they have gained widespread support in the anime scene as well, performing theme songs for many popular works such as “Ahiru no Sora” and "Kagekishoujo! Takumi Yoshida, Vo.&Gt., has also provided songs for many artists including Nana Mizuki and Kis-My-Ft2.

1 Like
15

J-Rock Report for 2023.07.01

moki - シンガーホープライター

LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: A singer-songwriter, he creates music based on the concept of “music that communicates”.

RIRIKO - 努力教信者

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Ririko started playing guitar at the age of 11 and started composing music in junior high school. She started his career in live music clubs when he was in high school and went on to Tokyo College of Music. She continued his own musical activities while attending college, and in 2017, made her major label debut with “Sono Mirai (Saki) Saki”, the OP theme song for the TV anime “Kuzura no Kodachi wa Suna Ue Uta”.

This band, RIRIKO BAND, consists of the members Vo. & Egt. RIRIKO, Dr. Kei, Key. Chanshio, and Ba. Toshi.

KERENMI & あたらよ - ただ好きと言えたら(映画「交換ウソ日記」主題歌)

OHP | LINK | TWITTER

Profile: A band that grows up eating sorrow." The group’s name “Atara yo” is derived from “Atara yo,” meaning "a night so beautiful that it is almost too beautiful to pass the day. In November 2020, he started posting songs on Youtube. Her first original song, “October Mutekunai Kimi wo Forgotten,” became a hit with its sad and emotional voice, urban atmosphere, and sympathetic and sad lyrical worldview, and currently has over 42 million views on Youtube. In March 2021, they started digital release and quickly topped the charts on LINE MUSIC, Spotify, TikTok, and AWA. On 2021/10/4, they released their first 7-song EP “Before Dawn”, and on 2022/03/24 they released their first album “Kyokuya de Tsuki ga Natteiru” (The Moon Doesn’t Speak in the Polar Night).

This track is arranged by “sound creator” and producer KERENMI.

鉄風東京 - TEARS

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Fluffy Crab (Dr) / Daikoku Gyogo (Vo/Gt) / muku (Ba) / Shimanuki (Gt). A four-piece alternative rock band based in Sendai with an average age of 19, formed in November 2018, won the RO JACK2020 award in 2020, and their music video for “Sotolan to Apart” released in their senior year of high school has been viewed over 500,000 times.

Arakezuri - バースデイ

OHP | NEX-TONE.LINK | TWITTER

Profile: “Shiga Wimpy Heroes’ Journey” formed in 2017, this four-piece band is based in Shiga Prefecture. from Hamadatsu B-FLAT / made in Osaka Fukushima LIVE SQUARE 2nd LINE. As the band’s name implies, the emotions are unleashed without hesitation in the “rough-hewn” performance. A song that includes a sing-along as if to say, "I won’t let you be alone. I don’t care about anachronisms. The band that has to expose everything to the public delivers a humanized version of the wimps. “Songs for Everyone”

1 Like
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J-Rock Report for 2023.07.02

The right - since

OHP | TWITTER

Profile: Three-piece band consisting of Gt.Vo / Kenshin, Ba.cho / Yuya Fujimoto, and Dr.cho / Yobuki Kuroiwa

ハイエナカー - とけないハート

OHP | LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: Launched in 2017 as a solo project of Minato Murase, formerly of Henry Henry Henry’s. The band performs mainly at live houses in Tokyo with support members. He sings unadorned words and universal melodies with a husky high tone voice. He handles all recording and mixing of his own music, and his live performances as well as his sound recordings have become one of his major forms of expression.

CUICUI - ぼくたちのナツ

OHP | LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: At the end of 2016, Ellie, AYUMIBAMBI, and BORIO gathered and started production underwater due to Enoshima Maki’s sweet words and strong seduction. 2017.2.10 at Shimokitazawa clubQue, the first live performance and started from the first independent project “UIJIN of CUICUI - CUICUI in CUICUI”. From 2017.4 Rei Mizuho (Rui Silyu) joined on the drums.

17

J-Rock Report for 2023.07.03

Jessica - sweet rain

OHP | TUNECORE | TWITTER

Profile: Based in Ehime, Japan, the group will begin live performances in 2019. The group is made up of four friends from clubs. Their original music, based on various roots, and ear-catching melodies that match their voices create a unique atmosphere. The four members’ deep inquisitiveness will continue to search for their own way to rock and create new rock.

(Just one release for today :thinking: , that’s a first.)

18

J-Rock Report for 2023.07.04

gurasanpark - Rooftop

OHP | LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: gurasanpark (Ba.) solo project. In 2013, he debuted with the band Voice of Mind, performing over 200 shows a year both in Japan and abroad, and has provided songs for AKB Group, Agnes Chan, 26 Hours TV, and obtained music tie-ups with Pocari Sweat and XXY, among others. Along with his band activities, he has produced soundtracks for commercials and drama CDs, appeared on TV programs, and performed in musicals. After the band broke up, he began his career as a freelance musician and set up his private studio “South Pocket Studio” in Tokyo.Currently, he is producing artists and bands such as Crazy Ken Band, arranging the main theme song for TV Asahi’s “News Station,” participating in recordings for Yuzu, Hiroko Moriguchi, Maki Nomiya, and others, and producing music for plays and commercials.

dawgss - FLYME

LNK.TO | LINKFLY.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Two-man band consisting of Sora Morimitsu (Ba./Vo.) and Shunsuke (Dr.)

ベルマインツ - ランドルート

LIT.LINK | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Formed in 2018, this 3-piece pops unit is based in Kobe and Osaka, Japan. With twin vocals by two singer-songwriters, Bonmaru (Vo/Gt) and Koyanagi (Vo/Gt), and a chorus by Maeda (Ba), the group features nostalgic yet fresh songs with respect to pop rock of the past.

ん・フェニ - MAKE

LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Alternative singer-songwriter based in Tokyo in 2020. Her songs feature catchy melodies fused with various tastes such as shoegaze, dream pop, indie rock, and vaporwave. In 2009, she was selected for the avex “2nd GIANT LEAP PRIZE,” performed at the Nagaoka Rice Bale Festival OA, and was selected as the best of the year in Spotify’s official playlist "Kira Kira Pop Japan. In November 2010, she released “N’s PAST RECORD”, a compilation album of her three works released between 2009 and 2010, on Victor Entertainment’s CONNECTUNE label. released from Victor Entertainment’s CONNECTUNE label.

フリージアン - イエスタデイワンスモア

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: In New Year’s Day, 2021, Maeda Kazushi, who really wants to sing without hands in pursuit of the “strongest Japanese song,” gathered members who would do everything but sing to form the group in Kobe. They all think they can manage.

MOSHIMO - 少年少女

NEX-TONE.LINK | TWITTER

Profile: A new generation guitar rock band popular mainly among young people for its lyrics that colorfully depict the “light and darkness of a woman’s heart” with a unique sense of language, cute yet powerful singing voice, and pop yet robust rock sound. Former CHEESE CAKE members Saki Iwabuchi (Vo&Gt), Takayuki Ichise (Gt), Satoru Miyahara (Ba), and Kyohei Honda (Dr) joined to form this band in Fukuoka in April 2015.

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J-Rock Report for 2023.07.05

インナージャーニー - ラストソング

OHP | ORCD.CO | TWITTER

Profile: Formed initially as support for SSW Kamoshita Sala’s participation in the 2019 Unconfirmed Festival, the band was recognized for its sense of lyrics and pure songs, which is hard to believe for an 18-year-old, and broke through one stage after another Later officially started the band structure as a regular member. While performing mainly at live houses in Shinjuku and Shimokitazawa. With the same momentum, they have appeared at large circuit festivals such as JAPAN’S NEXT SHIBUYA JACK 2019 WINTER and DERA ROCK FESTIBAL2020, etc. Their songs are simple but full of charm. Kamoshita Sara’s gently resonant voice and the band sound that surrounds it. We cannot take our eyes off her future activities.

マリースメック - むかしむかし

LIT.LINK | TWITTER

Profile: Activities began in April 2021. The songs are characterized by a wide range of musical genres, from pop to alternative, and lyrics in both Japanese and English, and the unique voice of the group’s vocalist, Yazaki, makes the songs sound disparate, yet somehow unified.

ゼーゼーハーハー - パワー

OHP | SPOTIFY | TWITTER

Profile: Band formed in 2010. “We are always in the process of creating new songs. Our music emerges first as a rhythm that we refine during studio sessions to create a refrain/chorus, lyrics and a melody with a groove reminiscent of black music, associated with a catchy pop music rhythm. We believe the role of music is to entertain the audience and our live performances always follow the theme “exceed the limits” that makes seeing Zeze-Haha on stage a must-see!!”

laica - イロニー

最前列 - 上杉周大

OHP | LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: Vocalist of the band THE TON-UP MOTORS (currently inactive). He made his major label debut in 2013 with THE TON-UP MOTORS on VAP Records. The following year, he also made his major debut as a solo artist under the name "Shudai Uesugi. In April 2014, the band embarked on an unprecedented “Hokkaido 179 Cities, Towns, and Villages Tour,” which took the band to all 179 cities, towns, and villages in Hokkaido in nine months to express their gratitude to their hometown of Hokkaido.
In addition to being a musician, he continues to be the main personality of “Boogie Woogie Executive Director,” a variety show produced by Sapporo Television Broadcasting that began in 2007, and is also a very well-known personality in Hokkaido, appearing in many commercials and still singing the official team song of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, “Fighters’ Hymn,” for the third generation.
She is also a multi-faceted artist, appearing in national commercials, as a narrator for national TV programs, in movies, and on stage.

スーパーパンピー - ちたへんりー

LINKTR.EE | LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: “A singer-songwriter who lives quietly in the Hyogo Prefecture.”

一寸先闇バンド - 良かれ

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Issyun Yami Band is a band formed in 2019 around singer/songwriter Ohtake@Jemusu. The four members are Ohtake (vocals/guitar), who writes all the songs, Takuya Oyama (drums/chorus), Kakuremino (piano/chorus), and Ryusei Yamaguchi (synthesizer).

ゴホウビ - なんぼのもんじゃい

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: We want to be a place where everyone can say "I’m home. A four-member band of mixed voices, “Gohoubi”, will send you the best “self-positive town pop”! Formed in 2018. The members of the group are the core of the project, which includes not only the music, but also the detailed art direction and music videos. “Whether you are having a good day or a bad day, give a little “Gohobi” to yourself for your hard work.”

1 Like
20

J-Rock Report for 2023.07.06

KIE Anderson - To legend

OHP | TUNECORE | TWITTER

Profile: She has loved singing since she was a child and started playing guitar when she was in the 6th grade. she started performing on the street when she was in the 2nd grade of junior high school. she was so happy to be praised for her singing that she started aiming to become a singer-songwriter. she has been active mainly in Gunma prefecture and won awards at many auditions. she won the top prize at the 2019 TAGO STUDIO TAKASAKI MUSIC FESTIVAL. in 2021, she debuted with the digital single “Pink Lemonade” as the first artist for TAGO STUDIO RECORDS TAKASAKI.

狐の嫁入り前 - 小夜時雨から

OHP | TWITTER

Profile: A 3 piece rock band from Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan.

What at lazz - 透明

OHP | LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: A four-piece “glossy” rock band formed in Okinawa Prefecture in April 2018. Armed with the singing voice of Vo. Kyoka, who can sing a wide range of songs from ballads to rock. The band’s rock-solid foundation is laid by Dr. Tatkun, while Ba. The music is both catchy and memorable.

daisansei - レイコ

OHP | LINKCORE | TWITTER

Profile: With guitarist and vocalist Ataka at the core, the band will begin their activities in the summer of 2019, and under the slogan “A little dramatic song for an ordinary day,” they will continue to work to write pop songs that will bring back even a small sparkle that might otherwise be buried in our daily lives.

JIGDRESS - 狂ってる

OHP | WEBSHOP | TWITTER

Profile: Formed at the end of 2020, mainly in Setagaya Ward. More songs about life not going well. More 90’s elements, louder guitars. Less social.

otsumami feat.mikan - 恋のまぼろし

OHP | NEX-TONE.LINK | TWITTER

Profile: “I’m otsumami, I do music”

Her album covers are pretty a e s t h e t i c

MONO NO AWARE - 風の向きが変わって

OHP | LNK.TO | TWITTER

Profile: Shukei Tamaki and Seijun Kato, both from Hachijojima Island, Tokyo, met Ayako Takeda and Yutaka Yanagisawa at university. The result is a sound that reeks of a diverse background, with lyrics that excel at wordplay, while remaining in the pop arena. They play a free sound that is not bound by genre boundaries.

1 Like