Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Foreign Rock Bands, Popular Bands

Say It Ain’t SoWeezer

Weezer – Say It Ain’t So (Version 3)

Among the bands labeled as alternative rock in the 1990s, the one that may have exerted the greatest influence on Japanese rock might not be Nirvana, but rather Weezer.

Their self-titled 1994 debut album—where Rivers Cuomo, a genius songwriter and noted Japanophile, blends his melodies and vocals with thunderous, alt-style guitars to brilliant effect—became an instant hit, selling over three million copies.

Although they had a period of hiatus, they have remained consistently popular up through the 2020s.

Their style, dubbed “crybaby rock” at the time of their debut, also influenced bands in what’s commonly called emo-core.

Even listeners who don’t usually listen to Western music can enjoy the abundance of poppy, catchy melodies in their many classic songs—so by all means, give them a listen.

You can start with any album, but my personal recommendation is their masterful second album, Pinkerton.

While considered a commercial failure in the West, it was a hit in Japan and is packed with Japanese elements in both its cover art and lyrics.

SuperpositionYoung The Giant

Young the Giant – Superposition (Official Video)

A band from California that calls themselves Young the Giant.

They’re a multinational group—Indian, British, Persian, and French-Canadian—so they might seem all over the map, but their indie rock sound is known for being razor-sharp and cool.

They’re still in their early twenties, but it looks like we can expect great things from them going forward!

Middle SeaYuck

Yuck – Middle Sea

Would Yuck be considered power pop as a genre? I think their songs are crafted with an exquisite sense of balance.

The slightly over-distorted guitar feels great the whole time, and on top of that, catchy, pop melodies come flying in.

The male-female mixed vocals have a rather unusual resonance that feels really good.

It’s edgy yet sparkling—wonderful.

By the way, I’ve heard the bassist is Japanese, and including that, the band’s overall look is also excellent.

brokenlovelytheband

lovelytheband – broken (official video)

lovelytheband is an American indie pop band formed in 2016.

They began writing songs soon after coming together, and their first release, a track called “broken,” gradually sparked their rise in popularity.

While they actively incorporate digital sounds, their music has a unique worldliness that somehow evokes a sense of nostalgia—one of the key elements of their appeal.

Chlorinetwenty one pilots

twenty one pilots – Chlorine (Official Video)

twenty one pilots is a duo that skyrocketed to fame in the early 2010s and has continued to achieve global success ever since.

They’ve even won a Grammy, so their popularity and talent are beyond question.

Many people in Japan may recognize their music because one of their songs was featured in the hugely popular film Suicide Squad.

Their sound is emblematic of modern bands, and they frequently use programmed drums.

Hotel CaliforniaThe Eagles

Eagles – Hotel California (Official Audio)

A rock band that debuted in 1971 and has been active while based on the U.

S.

West Coast.

Their total record sales exceed 200 million, and their signature song “Hotel California”—renowned for its layered soundwork featuring as many as 13 guitars—is likely familiar even to those who don’t often listen to Western music.

Their hallmark is a musical style that fuses the breezy sounds of country rock and bluegrass with the dynamism of rock, while also incorporating a wide range of elements such as AOR, funk, and dance music—making them a band that reveals greater depth the more you listen.

With many songs boasting catchy, beautiful melodies, they’re also easy to enjoy for newcomers to Western rock.

Seven YearsSaosin

Saosin- Seven Years with Lyrics

Among the many post-hardcore and screamo bands, Saosin is especially cool.

What makes this band great, I think, is the voice.

Of course, the songs are good and the playing is awesome too.

But the weapon that truly defines this band is undoubtedly the voice of the vocalist, Anthony.

Even the slightly off-key parts in the middle of the chorus sound incredibly cool.