Strap in for a good read. Regulars know how I get down from time to time. Even though we are notorious for being a visual kei hub, we also want to be a place where conversations about what’s popular in the wider rock (and music) scene can happen too. But in that lies a Catch-22 where conversations about legitimately successful artists in Japan don’t take off here because as a group we haven’t worked our way around to them yet. The size of the entire Japanese music scene can be staggering and overwhelming, especially without a guide or a way in, so I decided to do what I do best: spout exposition.
Let’s bulldoze right through all the barriers and talk about a few bands I enjoy that I think others may too. The only commonalities between these bands is that I like them and that they are not visual kei. I also put a poll in at the end, so feel free to vote for any artists you enjoy.
Nine Bands I Think Deserve Some More Forum Lovin’
Bo Ningen
This is one of a few bands that doesn’t get nearly enough attention on the forum, so they come first. Japanese for “Stick Man”, Bo Ningen is a four piece noise rock / alternative rock band signed to both the British label Stolen Recordings and Sony Japan. They’ve been at it since 2006, and I’ve heard their name bubble up time and time again but I didn’t look into them properly until recently. What gets their name really out there is that they’re a band that pulls equal influences from Britain and Japan, and they come up with something unique as a result. Sliders is such a cool track, so I hope that it gives a good idea as to what they’re all about.
SHISHAMO
Proof that not all indie rock from Japan has raspy male vocals in tweed backed by jangly guitar. It’s sweet female vocals instead. I jest, but that substitution connects with me on a level that a lot of indie rock doesn’t. Shishamo formed while the original three members were in high school early 2010. They started writing music in 2011, joined a music contest and won, and released a debut album off the hype. They’ve been gaining traction ever since. They’ve had one member substitution since they’ve formed, but the sound is consistent no matter what. They’ve released eight albums too, so their work ethic is top notch.
Disclose
Punk doesn’t get a lot of attention on this forum, so I chose Disclose next. Disclose were a Japanese d-beat and punk rock band from Kouchi City, heavily influenced by British hardcore punk band Discharge. They took everything about Discharge’s style and amped it up to 11, from increased use of fuzz and distortion to lyrics about nuclear war and its horrific consequences. Sadly, the band came to a close when frontman Kawakami died from a drug overdose in 2007.
Sailing Before The Wind
You thought @Rena was the only one that talks about Sailing? Describing themselves as a melodious metalcore band, they’ve been at it since 2011, and being signed to their own label they’re arguably one of the biggest metalcore bands in the scene right now, so throw some respect on their name. The differences between the visual and non-visual metalcore scenes are numerous, but what really impressed me about Sailing are their consistent collaborations with other big metal artists. From guest vocalists to guitarists, these features bring a lot of variety and flavor, but make no mistake these guys bring the heaviness too. Each song is a grab bag of riffs guaranteed to get me hype. Check em out.
Unlucky Morpheus
I really like this band. I’ve been following them since they were an instrumental doujin arrangement band and I’m so proud at how far they’ve come. They started with just yuki and Fuki in 2008 and now they’re a six piece kicking serious ass. They have a dedicated violinist for crying out loud, and Fuki is quickly becoming one of my favorite metal vocalists! The way they incorporate visuals without being visual kei is something new and interesting as well - they’re obviously taking inspiration from the scene, but they are 100% their own thing. Black Pentagram grabbed me instantly due to Fuki’s massive presence, so I hope you like it too.
siraph
If you or someone you know is still spurned by how MISC. washed away all of DIMLIM’s potential, yet you feel like the album isn’t as bad as some play it up to be, then just know that siraph accomplished what DIMLIM attempted to go for but much more convincingly. A pop rock band formed by ex. School Food Punishment members with anisong singer Annabel after the disbandment of School Food Punishment, I really feel like this band has the potential to get back to the indie sound of School Food Punishment I fell in love with all those years ago, but they have also shown the ability to be much more flexible and dynamic. Wash out the bad taste of MISC. with this.
downy
I don’t feel like we talk about downy enough either, even though they’re considered the founders of Japanese post rock, so they get a spot too. Depending on my mood, these guys go from really good to hittin’. The way this band plays with texture and melody is unmatched. Unmatched. So consistent they took a few years break, came back, and was still on their game. They played at both Japan’s greatest rock festival “FUJIROCK FESTIVAL” and at China’s largest rock festival “Concrete & Grass”. downy also co-hosts the festival “Afterhours” with MONO and envy, inside and outside Japan. If you like Nagoya-kei, then I think there’s a lot here for you to chew on. Lots of sonic similarities. Their live performances must be otherworldly; even though they aren’t visual kei they also use visuals to good effect. Check this video out to see what I mean.
MONDO GROSSO
Originally an acid jazz band, MONDO GROSSO came to be the main alias of composer, DJ, musician, producer, and former MONDO GROSSO leader and bassist Shinichi Osawa. The amount of releases under the MONDO GROSSO moniker is astounding, but he has solo projects and collaborations too that should be counted. As a composer and producer, Osawa has worked with Japanese artists such as Amuro Namie, UA, Monday Michiru, bird, Nobuchika Eri, BoA, and Crystal Kay. As a remixer he has remixed songs for both Japanese and international artists like Digitalism, Benny Benassi, Anna Tsuchiya, Clazziquai Project, and m-flo. The genres range from R&B, soul, and acid jazz, to pop, experimental, and electro house. My first introduction was with this track off BIG WORLD, so I’m gonna share it with you guys too.
Sigh
We don’t talk about Sigh enough, which is shocking considering that they are the founders of Nordic-style Japanese black metal. Trying to sum up their sound is as taxing as trying to run through their history, because it spans as many genres as it does members. The founding members Mirai Kawashima and Satoshi Fujinami have been innovating with various genres and sonic combinations since their debut Scorn Defeat - what other band would stick a jazz solo in the middle of a black metal song? - but the place that they have reached is so singular that there’s often the joke that they shove everything and the kitchen sink into each track. And they do, but that’s part of the charm. Friends tell friends to listen to Imaginary Sonicscape at some point, so why not now?
- Bo Ningen
- SHISHAMO
- Disclose
- Sailing Before The Wind
- Unlucky Morpheus
- siraph
- downy
- MONDO GROSSO
- Sigh
