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

Dance, DanceFall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy – Dance, Dance (Official Music Video)

Only a tiny handful of artists or bands truly deserve the accolade that “without them, the current scene wouldn’t exist,” but I’d argue Fall Out Boy is exactly one of those rare exceptions.

In the history of rock, the 2000s so‑called emo boom remains divisive; yet now, well into the 2020s, genres like emo trap—borrowing methods from what was then called emo—are thriving.

In that light, the significance of Fall Out Boy, often cited as a spark for the scene, feels undeniably great.

Emerging from the underground punk-to-hardcore circles, they weren’t a flash-in-the-pan band riding a trend.

They built their following through steady, grueling touring, and while rooted in pop-punk and emo, they kept a flexible approach that crossed genres and produced a string of classic hits.

Personally, I think Patrick Stump—vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter—deserves enormous credit, with his powerful vocals layered over pop-punk sonics and colored by R&B and soul influences.

Still going strong at the top today, their music is something I’d highly recommend to anyone just starting to explore Western pop and rock.

NumbLinkin Park

Numb (Official Music Video) [4K UPGRADE] – Linkin Park

Linkin Park is one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century.

Centered on a heavy guitar sound while skillfully incorporating elements of hip-hop and electronica, they achieved global success.

When they debuted, they drew attention as rising stars in the genres that boomed from the late 1990s—rap metal and nu metal, known in Japan as “mixture”—but even on their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which sold over 30 million copies worldwide, it was clear their potential far exceeded such narrow categories.

Whether it was loud tracks that sparked dives and moshing, or rock ballads with melodies that pierced the heart, every song was simply “great,” and that’s why they sold so much.

Even listeners who feel intimidated by aggressive rock can find themselves drawn in by their appeal.

Sadly, the sudden passing in 2017 of their vocalist, Chester Bennington—an overwhelming charismatic presence who sang with searing honesty about the sorrows and pains of life—was a tremendous loss in the history of rock.

MiseryMaroon 5

Maroon 5 – Misery (Official Music Video)

If you’re interested in Western rock music and want something stylish and cool, Maroon 5 from Los Angeles, California, will definitely meet your expectations.

Ever since their debut album Songs About Jane, released in 2002, became a phenomenal long-seller, they’ve effortlessly moved across genres—rock, pop, R&B, funk, and soul—adapting to trends with flexibility and continuing to thrive as a top band even in the 2020s.

In Japan as well, Maroon 5 is one of the most recognizable Western rock bands, thanks to TV appearances and commercial tie-ins.

Adam Levine, the rock world’s quintessential heartthrob, has a soulful, beautiful voice that appeals to anyone, and their steady output of excellent pop songs makes their music enjoyable even for newcomers to Western rock.

By the way, they originally debuted in high school under the name Kara’s Flowers.

It has a pop-leaning alternative sound typical of teenagers, so if you’re interested, definitely check that out too!

WonderwallOasis

Oasis – Wonderwall (Official Video)

If you ask who the strongest British rock band representing the 1990s was, most UK rock fans would name Oasis first.

Formed in 1991 in Manchester by the Gallagher brothers, Oasis not only dominated their native UK but also broke through in the U.

S.

, where grunge and alternative rock were raging at the time, churning out timeless hits that echoed around the world.

Embracing their working-class roots, they crafted a new image of the rock star—draped in windbreakers and tracksuits—punctuated by big-mouthed remarks and frequent brotherly bust-ups that repeatedly put their future in doubt.

Deeply influenced by the Beatles yet distinctly their own, their greatness lies in the partnership between Noel Gallagher, whose genius for songwriting is undisputed, and Liam Gallagher, whose one-of-a-kind voice and defiant style give him a charismatic presence.

Their songs, widely loved across generations in Japan as well—often featured in commercials—span everything from raw, thick guitar rock to delicate acoustic sounds, all unmistakably stamped with the Oasis signature and highly approachable even for newcomers to Western rock.

Paradise CityGuns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses – Paradise City (Official Music Video)

If you want to hear hard, cool rock with a bad-boy edge rather than well-mannered rock, you should listen to Guns N’ Roses.

They’re one of the defining bands of the late 1980s and a hugely popular act boasting record-breaking sales of over 100 million albums worldwide.

Their bad-boy lifestyle is nothing to be praised, but if you’re used to today’s music scene, where earnest, straight-laced rock has become more common, they may feel refreshingly different.

Of course, it’s not just their outrageous behavior—it’s their sophisticated musicianship and the many classics they left in rock history that keep music fans around the world fired up even in the 2020s.

Their magnificent debut album, Appetite for Destruction—an 80s hard-rock landmark that has sold over 28 million copies worldwide—packs all of their dangerous allure into one masterpiece.

So rather than starting with a greatest-hits collection, I recommend you begin with this album.

American IdiotGreen Day

Green Day – American Idiot [Official Music Video] [4K Upgrade]

While sticking to the basic pop-punk format with the minimal lineup of guitar, bass, and drums, Green Day is a powerhouse trio with a glittering résumé, including record-breaking success in rock history and becoming the first punk band to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

Starting with their major-label debut Dookie, which achieved the astounding global sales figure of 15 million, they also helped ignite the so-called “melodic hardcore” boom in Japan.

With each release, however, their musical palette grew broader.

The crowning achievement is arguably their seventh album, American Idiot, released in 2004.

A conceptual work, it boasts not only outstanding songs but an exceptionally high level of cohesion across the album, becoming a worldwide smash and ushering in a new golden era for Green Day.

If you’re thinking of getting into Green Day now and aren’t sure which era to start with, rest assured: every album features catchy, pop-savvy melodies and lyrics whose brilliance defies easy categorization.

Personally, I recommend starting with one of the two albums mentioned in this piece.

UnsaintedSlipknot

Slipknot – Unsainted [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

To be honest, suddenly making someone who hasn’t really listened to Western rock hear Slipknot might be an act that could even leave them traumatized.

Slipknot, known for their matching coveralls and grotesque masks, began with a precursor band formed in 1995, went through several lineup changes, and made their full-fledged album debut in 1999.

It’s almost nostalgic to recall how they were once written off as a novelty, but the sheer innovation and shock value of their relentlessly heavy sound—fusing myriad styles into something downright chaotic—was powerful enough to change the times, even during an era when genres like nu metal and rap metal were in vogue.

Their ferocious live performances are another key draw: their first Japan shows in 2000 at live houses and, just a year later, their sudden leap to the big stage at Summer Sonic ’01, are now spoken of as the stuff of legend.

Compared to their chaotic early period, their mid-to-late work features more melody and is arguably easier to listen to, but it can still be tough if you’re not accustomed to loud music.

If you enjoy heavy Japanese rock bands and want to explore something even more extreme, you should definitely give them a try.