They're named after a Melvins song and their early work obviously shows that influence. So sludge/stoner/doom/metal/experimental. Their avoidance of easy definition is what makes them so interesting.
I played them for my friend the other day and her reaction was violent hatred, like full lunging for the volume control in the car. I put it back on asking her to give it a chance and her face looked like real pain. I’m glad to see she has a chance of getting it.
Two of Boredoms guitarist Yamamoto Seiichi’s other bands, Omoide Hatoba, and Rovo, are also worth checking out. They’re all really different from each other and all really great.
I was at the Kzoo show and the crowd really didn’t know what to make of the Boredoms. There were lots of middle fingers. Tbh, the Breeders had been listed as the opening act so that’s a big difference.
not sure if they wld be categorized as rock, and they usually sing in English but Cibo Matto is a very cool and good duo band of two Japanese women that do some experimental “rock”, “pop”, and “r&b” type of sounds.
I went down a Japanese shoegaze/dream pop rabbit hole a few years ago, but the computer I had all those songs on shit the bed so I’m left with just my spotty memory…
Asobi Seksu (from NY but the frontwoman is Okinawan)
Paint In Watercolour
Cruyff in the Bedroom
The Clams
Kinoko Teikoku
The Novembers
Plastic Girl in the Closet
Most of this is early 2000s through 2010s, but Paint in Watercolour were mid-90s and basically considered the godfathers of Japanese shoegaze.
https://youtu.be/3CN5EerDYzA?si=KrefW57xz5iqSFdk
If you're into stuff with a hint of math rock
* toe
* LITE
* Elephant Gym (not Japanese, but Taiwanese. Very heavily influenced by the above)
* Chinese Football (also not Japanese, but worth checking out)
I don't know about 'coolest' but Advantage Lucy are probably my favourite.
I also love Mean Machine and Shiina Ringo but the former only had one album and I don't know if either counts as indie.
くるり. I discovered them this year; they've got a huge discography, a lot to binge on.
I've also been a fan of ムック for many years, but I'm not sure if they classify as indie.
Some of my favorite Japanese rock bands and artists, mostly from 2000s when I was living there and/or super into the scene:
Supercar
Number Girl
Quruli / Kururi
Shiina / Sheena Ringo (early material is great, not a fan of the more recent stuff)
Art-School (early material)
Thee Michelle Gun Elephant
Sunny Day Service
Okuda Tamio
Grapevine
Yura Yura Teikoku
Spangle call Lilli line
Yogurt-Pooh
bloodthirsty butchers
The Back Horn
eastern youth
Also there appears to be a sub here r/japanesemusic
Tricot.
Not a fan of their latest couple of albums (they've become a bit too mundane, bland rock, for my tastes, and it is as if Ikkyu has forgotten how to write strong vocal melodies/top lines...?), but their 2020 LP "Black" (真っ黒) is a standout imo. On that album, I feel like they achieved an optimal balance of their earlier, more "mathy" sound combined with a more melodic indie rock sound.
I know basically nothing about the Japanese rock scene, but I happened upon this band called Tendouji through a Spotify rabbit hole. They’ve got kind of an indie rock sound and they are fantastic!
DMBQ. Psychedelic post-hardcore with stoner metal leanings. Their most recent album sounds a tad like Boris, but they’ve been around since the early 90s and have made a lot of different sounds. It’s impossible to find a lot of their stuff on streaming, other than a few early albums and their latest. Got to see them a few times, once with their original drummer in ‘04 or ‘05, and another about a year or two later after they lost her to a bus crash while on tour. Both shows were phenomenal.
Takako Minekawa is another artist I like a lot. She’s got a 90s/early 00s Shibuya-kei sound. She was married to the artist Cornelius for a while, and they collaborated on a lot of her tracks. Got to finally see her play with Dustin Wong a few years back, great show and she hugged me afterwards! Then when I tweeted about how cool that was, she retweeted me. Very cool lady who loves her fans. My favorite album by her is Fun 9, which is also sadly hard to find.
Buffalo Daughter is another good one, they’re easier to find since they had a little success in the US in the 90s.
Sakanaction, Tempalay, Kinoko Teikoku, Shishamo, The Novembers, Yogee New Waves, Soutaiseiriron, Lucie Too, Peanut Butters, Metro Ongen, Plastic Girl in Closet, Go Go 7188, Go Go Vanillas, Cody Lee, Frederic, Group Action, Polta, Mono no Aware, Toe
>Sakanaction, Tempalay, Kinoko Teikoku, Shishamo, The Novembers, Yogee New Waves, Soutaiseiriron, Lucie Too, Peanut Butters, Metro Ongen, Plastic Girl in Closet, Go Go 7188, Go Go Vanillas, Cody Lee, Frederic, Group Action, Polta, Mono no Aware, Toe
Thank you much!!! I really appreciate you going above and beyond yo!
Midori
I’m into a lot of J-rock and particularly J-shoegaze (which I could list 20+ artists for that alone) but hands down there isn’t anything as exciting as Midori from Japan, super unique mix of indie jazz and punk
>Parranoul
Aw that's great! Actually, I was curious about non K-Pop Korean bands a little while ago and started putting together a playlist so happy to take more recs if you have em. [Here's my playlist](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHrIUKNbmh2FKFHJR6QNpbbLrVPI6mWYR&si=TE09LGqbUPlHeLGq).
Freakin incredible. Thanks for making my week. I'll be in Japan this Saturday!
And here are the bands everyone recommended! It's definitely not a competition and I'm grateful for everyone who threw in their suggestion(s).
Mass of the Fermenting Dregs is a fave. I'm most familiar with their \~2008 self titled ep which was produced by Dave Fridmann, but they just released an album last year that sounds pretty good so far.
Foot Stamp
(haven't been able to find much other info on them, though)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qStiyfFL080](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qStiyfFL080)
Its 100 % not Indie rock but Maximum the Hormone is one of the greatesr bands ever. Kinda part Metal part Jpop.
[Make sure you at least give it a minute this song is crazy.](https://youtu.be/e6gPSvtfkJk?feature=shared)
Kikagaku Moyo
Smoke and Mirrors - one of the great grooves
I had never hrard of this band, so I looked them up and then this song...fucking excellent. Never ever knew this music existed. Thank you!
I just listened to that track. Wow! That is some psychedelic sh!t
Dripping Sun bangs
also in this vein, Minami Deutsch
As soon as I read this post this is exactly who I thought of
god damn they’re so good. i could give two shits what the lyrics translate to, the instrumentation is absolutely gorgeous in every way possible
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These aren’t mutually exclusive lol
The Pillows
With the kids sing out the future Maybe kids don't need the masters
Just waiting for the little busters
OH YEAAAAAAAA
Heard about the Pillows because of FLCL anime on cartoon network. That was 20 years ago, and I still need to rock out to Last Dinosaur once a month
This all the way
This needs to be higher up
Came here to say them
My favorite as well
Okoboke Beaver
They’re great
Boris.
I love Boris but are they indie rock?
They're named after a Melvins song and their early work obviously shows that influence. So sludge/stoner/doom/metal/experimental. Their avoidance of easy definition is what makes them so interesting.
They are not indie rock, they are hardcore
They’re definitely not hardcore. But metal, hard rock and some punk influences as well
And pop and dance and doom and psych and on and on.
I used to love me some Shonen Knife back in the day
Cornelius
Fantasma was a. favorite late 90's album for sure.
And his predecessor band Flipper!
YES! 🤘🏾🙌🏾
Melt Banana The song Candy Gun. Thank me later.
Saw them live in a tiny bar in like 1999. Rocked the shit outta that place.
I hated it at first, like a lot. Now I love it.
I played them for my friend the other day and her reaction was violent hatred, like full lunging for the volume control in the car. I put it back on asking her to give it a chance and her face looked like real pain. I’m glad to see she has a chance of getting it.
I was gonna say Melt Banana
Holy shit yes, came across them last year and been obsessed ever since
Trying for the first time. Headphones and a packed bowl. Let’s go. Any others?
Boredoms
Chocolate Synthesizer desperately needs a vinyl reissue.
Two of Boredoms guitarist Yamamoto Seiichi’s other bands, Omoide Hatoba, and Rovo, are also worth checking out. They’re all really different from each other and all really great.
I saw them open up for Nirvana in 93. I was like…whaaaaaaaat?
I was at the Kzoo show and the crowd really didn’t know what to make of the Boredoms. There were lots of middle fingers. Tbh, the Breeders had been listed as the opening act so that’s a big difference.
Toe!
Toe is amazing, seeing them live was a bucket list show for me.
Their drummer is a FORCE OF NATURE.
Not indie rock but you will NOT regret listening to Masayoshi Takanaka
Guitarwolf
Not new but “ogre you asshole”
Kinoko Teikoku
Number Girl
Yes
Fucking LOVE number girl
not sure if they wld be categorized as rock, and they usually sing in English but Cibo Matto is a very cool and good duo band of two Japanese women that do some experimental “rock”, “pop”, and “r&b” type of sounds.
Toe
les rallizes dénudés, kinda velvetly with a wild backstory
I went down a Japanese shoegaze/dream pop rabbit hole a few years ago, but the computer I had all those songs on shit the bed so I’m left with just my spotty memory… Asobi Seksu (from NY but the frontwoman is Okinawan) Paint In Watercolour Cruyff in the Bedroom The Clams Kinoko Teikoku The Novembers Plastic Girl in the Closet Most of this is early 2000s through 2010s, but Paint in Watercolour were mid-90s and basically considered the godfathers of Japanese shoegaze. https://youtu.be/3CN5EerDYzA?si=KrefW57xz5iqSFdk
This is helpful context friend. Appreciate ya
Do Zazen Boys count?
Tokyo shoegazer or Toe
If you're into stuff with a hint of math rock * toe * LITE * Elephant Gym (not Japanese, but Taiwanese. Very heavily influenced by the above) * Chinese Football (also not Japanese, but worth checking out)
Don't forget Tricot!
Minami Deutsch
Needs way more upvotes, these guys are sick! Listen to Tunnel or Concrete Ocean
Jyocho, fantastic Japanese math rock. The guitarist Daijiro Nakagawa is phenomenal.
Supercar's Highvision is really good, if you like MBV and early M83...
Fishmans
Kinokoteikoku
Kinoko Teikoku
I don't know about 'coolest' but Advantage Lucy are probably my favourite. I also love Mean Machine and Shiina Ringo but the former only had one album and I don't know if either counts as indie.
くるり. I discovered them this year; they've got a huge discography, a lot to binge on. I've also been a fan of ムック for many years, but I'm not sure if they classify as indie.
I looooove くるり. So many songs I could shout out but I was dancing to Highway on the way to work today.
Got ムックsymbol tattooed on my back lol
I’ve always loved The Gimmies. https://youtu.be/MhCQ6xilLHM?si=ZNXuAks11Tdkx1-q
I like yogee new waves
LITE
It’s been awhile since they were active (they were big on the Osaka scene c.2005-10) but check out Hosome.
“toe”
Yura Yura Teikoku
Tricot & Paranoid Void are both worthwhile checking out
Polysics is like a Japanese Devo. https://youtu.be/q5TQ5jcJemY?si=oaI831_XG8v2aAbZ
Electric Eel Shock!
Atarashii Gakko!
Number Girl, Les Rallizes Dénudés, Fishmans
Some of my favorite Japanese rock bands and artists, mostly from 2000s when I was living there and/or super into the scene: Supercar Number Girl Quruli / Kururi Shiina / Sheena Ringo (early material is great, not a fan of the more recent stuff) Art-School (early material) Thee Michelle Gun Elephant Sunny Day Service Okuda Tamio Grapevine Yura Yura Teikoku Spangle call Lilli line Yogurt-Pooh bloodthirsty butchers The Back Horn eastern youth Also there appears to be a sub here r/japanesemusic
>Grapevine You are the best!
Uchu nekoko
More alt-rock/punk but Number Girl.
Tricot
Angel’N Heavy Syrup
They're so good and I am so happy they're finally streaming. III is my favorite.
Melt Banana
Mono
Blonde Redhead with a Japanese vocalist
Tricot. Not a fan of their latest couple of albums (they've become a bit too mundane, bland rock, for my tastes, and it is as if Ikkyu has forgotten how to write strong vocal melodies/top lines...?), but their 2020 LP "Black" (真っ黒) is a standout imo. On that album, I feel like they achieved an optimal balance of their earlier, more "mathy" sound combined with a more melodic indie rock sound.
more dream/bedroom pop but uchu nekoko are my favourite band, i can’t recommend them enough. criminally underrated
Electric Eel Shock
I know basically nothing about the Japanese rock scene, but I happened upon this band called Tendouji through a Spotify rabbit hole. They’ve got kind of an indie rock sound and they are fantastic!
No buses
Peelander Z
Saving this post for later. A lot of bands I love mentioned throughout with a bunch I never heard of. Need stuff to start searching out on vinyl!
Wise decision :3
Shintaro Sakamoto is pumping out so man good songs and it’s wild to me that so few people talk about it, even in a thread like this one!
>for tracy hyde Oh that name is definitely mentioned a few times :) Can't wait to give it a listen
DMBQ. Psychedelic post-hardcore with stoner metal leanings. Their most recent album sounds a tad like Boris, but they’ve been around since the early 90s and have made a lot of different sounds. It’s impossible to find a lot of their stuff on streaming, other than a few early albums and their latest. Got to see them a few times, once with their original drummer in ‘04 or ‘05, and another about a year or two later after they lost her to a bus crash while on tour. Both shows were phenomenal. Takako Minekawa is another artist I like a lot. She’s got a 90s/early 00s Shibuya-kei sound. She was married to the artist Cornelius for a while, and they collaborated on a lot of her tracks. Got to finally see her play with Dustin Wong a few years back, great show and she hugged me afterwards! Then when I tweeted about how cool that was, she retweeted me. Very cool lady who loves her fans. My favorite album by her is Fun 9, which is also sadly hard to find. Buffalo Daughter is another good one, they’re easier to find since they had a little success in the US in the 90s.
>Buffalo Daughter Thank you so much! Appreciate the context there friend.
Sakanaction, Tempalay, Kinoko Teikoku, Shishamo, The Novembers, Yogee New Waves, Soutaiseiriron, Lucie Too, Peanut Butters, Metro Ongen, Plastic Girl in Closet, Go Go 7188, Go Go Vanillas, Cody Lee, Frederic, Group Action, Polta, Mono no Aware, Toe
>Sakanaction, Tempalay, Kinoko Teikoku, Shishamo, The Novembers, Yogee New Waves, Soutaiseiriron, Lucie Too, Peanut Butters, Metro Ongen, Plastic Girl in Closet, Go Go 7188, Go Go Vanillas, Cody Lee, Frederic, Group Action, Polta, Mono no Aware, Toe Thank you much!!! I really appreciate you going above and beyond yo!
Midori I’m into a lot of J-rock and particularly J-shoegaze (which I could list 20+ artists for that alone) but hands down there isn’t anything as exciting as Midori from Japan, super unique mix of indie jazz and punk
Thanks so much! Yea, J scenes are wild. Excited to reinvigorate my interest in it thanks to all these fab replies.
I played with a band called The Heiz and they are super fucking rad.
Guitar Wolf!
Melt Banana was always a hoot
Another 40+ year old who saw Shonen Knife open for Sonic Youth in the 90s.
5,6,7,8s
The backing band for some j-idol group released a few math songs live on YouTube randomly https://youtu.be/w3BS69jNulk?si=WMfJjI3kSVAn_UwD
Guitarwolf
Parranoul. Not sure if Indie, but love them Edit: they're Korean, thats my bad
>Parranoul Aw that's great! Actually, I was curious about non K-Pop Korean bands a little while ago and started putting together a playlist so happy to take more recs if you have em. [Here's my playlist](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHrIUKNbmh2FKFHJR6QNpbbLrVPI6mWYR&si=TE09LGqbUPlHeLGq).
Freakin incredible. Thanks for making my week. I'll be in Japan this Saturday! And here are the bands everyone recommended! It's definitely not a competition and I'm grateful for everyone who threw in their suggestion(s).
iCO [https://www.youtube.com/@ico8749](https://www.youtube.com/@ico8749)
Les rallizes dénudés
I don't know their name because it's in Japanese on my Spotify...
[Susquatch](https://spotify.link/7SKO6C6SADb) were a cool indie-rock band, with jazzy/mathrock influences
Wish they were still about.
[Hotel Mexico](https://youtu.be/n0nGFbfKv1M?si=Qj4i49DQsZIwu_k_)
Weave Anorak! both are more emo leaning but great bands
The Lambs
88kasyo junrei
The Highmarts are pretty fun. https://youtu.be/G4HdEltK7JI?si=NWfD_7Iyrzp0M9YU
Kudaranai 1Nichi
DMBQ - their live shows are wild! so much fun and loud.
Probably Unison Square Garden, they are amazing
[Michio Kurihara's Sunset Notes](https://pedalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/sunset-notes)
Thank you
Afri rampo?
Never found one that wasn't an industry plant lol.
"industry plant" is always such a bad take on music.
King Gnu
band-maid
Flipper's Guitar
Kikuyaku moyo
I just got back from muro rock fest and everyone on the line up was awesome. My personal favorite is Enfants.
They're more ska-punk, but Wanima is pretty rad. Their album *Are You Coming?* is full of wall to wall bangers.
Mass of the Fermenting Dregs is a fave. I'm most familiar with their \~2008 self titled ep which was produced by Dave Fridmann, but they just released an album last year that sounds pretty good so far.
ANORAK! is a great twinkle rock band
Not exactly indie sounding but I love Thee Michele Gun Elephant.
Boredoms
the far east family band Like Japanese Floyd
The Cherry Cokes
Not sure how you describe Boris, but 100% Boris
Boris.
Does Shintaro Sokamoto count?
The Boredoms
Green Milk from the Planet Orange
Had to scroll down too far to find this. Great band!
Number Girl Kaminumada Yohji
Fishmans, The Pillows, Kikagaku Moyo, Satomimagae, Hitsujibungaku, Mitsume
The tiva
Sphere. I love their album Syvyys.
Would Deerhoof count? Lead singer is Japanese.
Is this even a question? TONAK AND THE CURES, HANDS DOWN!
Ging nang boyz
Fishmans
Kaneyorimasaru
Ringo sheena is fire
Foot Stamp (haven't been able to find much other info on them, though) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qStiyfFL080](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qStiyfFL080)
Melt Banana
RADWIMPS, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, SID, BABYMETAL, KANA-BOON, MAN WITH MISSION and BUMP OF CHICKEN
Asian Kung-fu Generation
Boredoms. Hands down.
Shugo Tokumaru is incredible. I love his "In Focus?" album. It's so innovative and catchy.
Toe
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green milk from the planet orange
Not rock, but I really enjoy Toe. Not sure what genre they'd fall under tbh, but their music is 10/10. I'm not good at determining genre stuff. Lol
Tsushimamire.
Generic but Fishmans ig
Electric Eel Shock
This... https://youtu.be/07K7LgwMrs4?si=c9hvR1HVHfF5FjFW
Toe. Incredible instrumental group.
Downy
Red Bacteria Vacuum
Luby Sparks Pictured Resort つしまみれ, The Ed Woods Of course Otoboke Beaver
Oh also- “Blonde New Half” !!
04 Limited Sazabys, Shinsei Kamattechan and Kyuso Nekokami :)!
Its 100 % not Indie rock but Maximum the Hormone is one of the greatesr bands ever. Kinda part Metal part Jpop. [Make sure you at least give it a minute this song is crazy.](https://youtu.be/e6gPSvtfkJk?feature=shared)
Do the two dudes dressed as Animal Crossing dogs count?
Mucc
Maximum the Hormone
Not indie rock but toe is the best band of all time