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[2025] Recommended for men in their 40s! Introducing nostalgic Western bands that colored their youth
In 2025, major bands that colored the youth of music fans now in their 40s—like The Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, and the reunited Oasis—kept coming to Japan one after another.
Thanks to that, there are surely many people who had stopped listening to music for a while but recently found their passion for Western music rekindled!In this article, under the theme of recommended Western bands for men in their 40s, the author—who works as a music writer in his 40s—has selected nostalgic bands that rose to prominence from the 1990s to the early 2000s.
Focusing mainly on bands that never broke up and are still going strong, as well as those that have reunited, some are even slated to visit Japan in the near future.
So by all means, give them a listen and relive those days.
[2025] Recommended for men in their 40s! Introducing nostalgic Western music bands that colored our youth (1–10)
High and DryNEW!Radiohead
Formed in Oxford, England in 1985 and making their major-label debut in 1992, Radiohead is a rock band that revolutionized the global music scene from the 1990s through the 2000s.
“Creep,” from their 1993 album Pablo Honey, became a worldwide hit, and their 1997 masterpiece OK Computer etched its name in music history as one of the defining albums of the 1990s with its innovative sound.
In 2010, they were named one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time,” and in 2019 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
While rooted in alternative rock, their diverse musicality—embracing electronica and experimental music—continues to influence countless artists more than 30 years after their debut.
If you were into Western pop and rock back then, why not dive back into their music now?
Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away)NEW!Deftones
Hailing from Sacramento, California, Deftones are an alternative metal band formed in 1988.
They entered the scene with their debut album, Adrenaline, in 1995, and achieved a major breakthrough with their third album, White Pony, released in 2000.
The track Elite won Best Metal Performance at the 43rd Grammy Awards, and the album has been certified platinum.
Their sound, which fuses heavy guitar riffs with delicate melodies, has earned them the moniker “Radiohead of heavy rock,” forging a truly unique musical world.
Their experimental approach—embracing a wide range of genres such as nu metal and shoegaze—has been rediscovered by younger audiences on platforms like TikTok in the 2020s, ushering in a new golden era.
With strong support from Gen Z bands as well, now is the perfect time to revisit and follow their ongoing, evolving story.
EverlongNEW!Foo Fighters
Formed in 1994 by Dave Grohl, the former drummer of Nirvana, Foo Fighters have continued to reign as a leading band in alternative rock and post-grunge.
From their 1995 debut through their second album, The Colour and the Shape (1997), they have released numerous classics such as Everlong, Learn to Fly, The Pretender, and Best of You.
They have been nominated for the Grammy Awards 31 times and have won 15, and in 2021 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Their melodious yet energetic sound and dynamically constructed songs that weave together quiet and loud are quintessentially “Foo.” There’s no doubt they’ll ignite the crowd at their long-awaited return to Japan in 2025!
Lifestyles of the Rich & FamousNEW!Good Charlotte
Centered around the twin Madden brothers, this band—fusing pop-punk energy with catchy melodies—was formed in Maryland in 1995.
They made their self-titled debut in 2000 and skyrocketed to global popularity with the 2002 album The Young and the Hopeless.
Tracks like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and The Anthem became massive hits, earning the album triple platinum status.
They won numerous awards, including at the MTV Video Music Awards and Kerrang! Awards, with The Anthem receiving recognition at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan.
Their distinctive sound, blending elements of skate punk and emo, brought a fresh breeze to the music scene of the time.
It’s a band highly recommended for anyone who was swept up in the pop-punk frenzy of their youth.
Plug In BabyNEW!Muse
Formed in Teignmouth, Devon in 1994 and debuting on the scene with their 1999 album Showbiz, Muse are a three-piece rock band consisting of Matthew Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard.
Centered on alternative rock, their appeal lies in a sound that incorporates elements of progressive, classical, and electronic music.
Their 2006 album Black Holes and Revelations saw Supermassive Black Hole reach No.
4 on the UK charts and exceed 3.
5 million in global sales.
Boasting an illustrious record that includes two Grammy Awards, the band has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
In 2025, they made a long-awaited return to Japan, once again sending Japanese fans into a frenzy with their overwhelming performance.
Their live shows—marked by grand stage production and stunning musicianship—are a must-see, and they’re highly recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy everything from classic rock fundamentals to experimental sounds.
Only ShallowNEW!My Bloody Valentine
Even if you mainly listen to rock, chances are you’ve seen your favorite artists mention the word “shoegaze.” Among the bands in the shoegaze genre, which emerged in the UK in the early 1990s, the most famous and important is My Bloody Valentine.
Fans even affectionately call them “MyBra.” The hallmark of My Bloody Valentine’s sound is an extraordinarily original sonic world—epitomized by their 1991 masterpiece Loveless, produced under such uncompromising perfectionism that it nearly bankrupted their then-label, Creation Records—where layers upon layers of noisy guitars fuse with ethereal melodies.
In 2008 they effectively reunited and even made a miraculous visit to Japan, and in 2013 they released the album m b v.
They also have shows scheduled in Japan in 2026, so be sure to experience their legendary live performance.
WonderwallNEW!Oasis
A rock band from Manchester that emerged in the early 1990s as a central force in the Britpop movement, known for a sound heavily influenced by British rock acts like the Beatles and the Stones.
Their 1994 debut album, Definitely Maybe, entered the UK charts at No.
1, and the following year’s landmark release, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, produced era-defining anthems such as “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” They have won numerous awards, including six Brit Awards and seventeen NME Awards, and have sold over 50 million albums worldwide.
Although they disbanded in 2009 due to the Gallagher brothers’ feud, they reunited in 2024, becoming a global talking point.
Highly recommended for those who want to relive that era’s excitement or savor the quintessential sound of British rock.