WE WANT THE FUNK!!!
Everyone loves heavy riffs, sick guitar solos, blistering drums - the whole gamut. But I rarely see anyone talk about how MUTHAFUCKIN’ FUNKY things can get in Jrock! So this thread is dedicated to all things FUNKY in Jrock - whether it’s funk-inspired guitar riffs, nasty basslines, or anything that gives you that automatic stank-face, let’s talk about it!
Drop some of your favorite, funky tunes in Jrock, and share some of your thoughts as well!
Here are some of my favorites!
La’cryma Christi - PRIDE
So this was the first La’cryma Christi song that I’d ever heard - had to be around 2005. I’d snagged it from an mp3 rotation site. What I love about this song is that it manages to infuse some funky elements while still retaining that kinda trademark VK melodrama and sinisterness. To the more seasoned and knowledgeable VK fans out there, do yall know of any songs in a similar vein?
SuiseiNoboAz - 水星より愛をこめて
Mukai Shutoku of NUMBER GIRL / ZAZEN boys fame actually produced the album this song is from, and so it’s no surprise that Suisei took several cues from him - most notably vocalist Ishihara’s almost spoken word-esque delivery. Love the main riff here, and the bass is as silky smooth as it gets. The latter half of this song is just ridiculous. Thoroughly funky, but also thoroughly kickass.
6EYES - 発狂したまま生活出来てる
This song is a recent favorite of mine. 6EYES are no stranger to groove, and this song is definitely that. But what really made me include this song here is the instrumental part at 1:45 that essentially serves as the hook of the song. Automatic stank face.
tricot - 右脳左脳
tricot have generally been more miss than hit for me, but when they get their act together, they can churn out some great stuff. What I love about this track is how they seamlessly incorporated some funky playing with their typical indie/mathy sensibilities. Really well done.
LITE - Phantasia
LITE was always a technically impressive instrumental band, but back when this album came out, they really pushed their sound further by BRINGING THE FUNK! This song has all of the intensity of their usual math rock, but the additional funk is the cherry on top!
the band apart - AKIRAM
These guys are well known in the indie world for having an eclectic outlook on music, and as such, one of the genres they’ve melded into their style is funk. This track is a fantastic example and one of my favorites.
オワリカラ (OWARIKARA) - 勇敢なるビイヒヤナウ
Early OWARIKARA were fantastic at creating funky tunes that were catchy and accessible, but also RAW at the same time - with the perfect dose of chaos.
ヒトリエ - Loveless
wowaka (RIP) was one of my favorite composers in Jrock, and he often incorporated a lot of funky elements into his work. This song is here simply because I love the bassline. Simple, but highly affective.
KING BROTHERS - spaceship
Even tho I wouldn’t call this entirely funky, there are definitely some nods to funk in this garage rock number.
8otto - SRKEEN
It wouldn’t be 8otto if it didn’t at least have just a hint of funk in it!
撃鉄 (GEKITETSU) - 鐘
GEKITETSU was more known for their upbeat and energetic post-punk sound, but here they really got into a groove and added some extra funk for good measure.
NUMBER GIRL - delayed brain
The legendary NUMBER GIRL. This one has a very subdued and laidback funk to it.
Zazen Boys - Weekend
and since I mentioned NUMBER GIRL, let’s not forget Mukai’s other band ZAZEN BOYS and the awkward funk of “weekend”!!!
I’ll be back when more come to mind. What funky Jrock songs do yall enjoy?
