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

CreepRadiohead

Radiohead – Creep

If you’ve listened to Japanese rock bands, you’ve probably seen plenty of interviews where those artists mention the name Radiohead.

Formed in 1991, Radiohead are one of the most important rock bands to emerge from 1990s Britain, and they continue to wield overwhelming influence well into the 2020s.

In their early days they played guitar-driven music that interpreted American grunge through a British lens, but with 1997’s OK Computer they unveiled an innovative sound packed with staggering originality and density—its impact, looking back, was extraordinary.

What’s remarkable about them is that they didn’t settle for reaching a pinnacle both musically and commercially; with 2001’s Kid A they boldly incorporated electronica and contemporary music, pursuing sounds that stepped outside the usual rock band format.

While some of their music can be hard to grasp without a fairly eclectic listening background, Thom Yorke’s charismatic presence as frontman—his voice and melodies—has a special appeal for Japanese listeners.

And as mentioned at the beginning, one good way to dive in is to start with the albums your favorite Japanese artists have cited.

Where To StartBully

Bully – Where To Start [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Bully is an American rock project that revives the spirit of ’90s grunge for the modern era.

It currently operates as the solo project of founder Alicia Bognanno, who also honed her skills as an engineer at a renowned studio.

The project debuted in June 2015 with the album “Feels Like.” While it has no official awards, the 2023 release “Lucky for You” was selected for many year-end best-of lists by music media, earning widespread critical acclaim.

Alicia’s raw, scream-like vocals and guitar sound—heavy yet packed with pop hooks—are truly one-of-a-kind.

Highly recommended for anyone seeking both the ruggedness of grunge and catchy melodies.

Livin’ On A PrayerBon Jovi

Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer

Even if you’re not particularly into Western pop and rock, chances are you’ve heard at least one Bon Jovi song.

Formed in 1983, they quickly established themselves as a top band and racked up record-breaking hits throughout the 1980s.

Their special bond with Japanese fans is famous, too.

In the 1990s, as a new generation of bands labeled grunge and alternative rock emerged, their popularity and sales leveled off somewhat, but in 2000 they entered a new golden era with the comeback album Crush, featuring the massive hit It’s My Life.

They’ve continued to be beloved into the 2020s as seasoned veterans.

With a sexy yet wild vocal delivery, dynamic guitars, and dazzling synths, Bon Jovi’s songs—whether hard rock anthems or sweet ballads—are irresistibly catchy and easy to listen to, making them long-recommended starters for newcomers to Western music.

Don’t limit yourself to their 1980s heyday—explore releases from every era and find your own favorite Bon Jovi.

I Was Made For Lovin’ YouKISS

Kiss – I Was Made For Lovin’ You

A rock band active since the early days of American hard rock, famous for their strikingly impactful makeup that almost everyone has seen at least once.

They were early adopters of corpse paint—black-and-white face makeup—in the rock world, and their outlandish costumes along with shows packed with flames and pyrotechnics sent countless rock fans into a frenzy.

Despite their image leading one to expect technically demanding songs, their music is accessible, rooted in straightforward rock ’n’ roll and hard rock, making the contrast with their look part of the appeal.

Even if you’re new to Western rock and wary of bands that wear makeup, why not give their catchy, pop-leaning music a try at least once?

Hello, GoodbyeThe Beatles

The Beatles – Hello, Goodbye

Even people who don’t actively listen to music, let alone Western rock, probably at least know the name The Beatles.

Despite a career that lasted only about ten years, from 1960 to 1970—hardly a long period—they were the greatest musical group produced by the 20th century, and their very existence is the foundation and the classic of rock.

They’re far too monumental to describe in detail here, but consider just this: the phrase “the modern Beatles” is still used today as one of the highest compliments.

That alone should convey the magnitude of their presence.

Beyond such music-historical and cultural acclaim, it goes without saying that what guarantees the Beatles’ overwhelming popularity and reputation is, of course, the music they left behind.

In Japan, many of their songs are so famous they appear in school music textbooks; yet there may be more people than you’d expect who know the songs but have never listened to the original albums.

Fortunately, the Beatles’ catalog is easy to hear via streaming subscriptions, so if you check out the albums that include the tracks you like, you might just discover something new!

Sympathy For The DevilThe Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones – Sympathy For The Devil (Official Video) [4K]

A rock band often hailed as the pinnacle of the genre, they have remained at the forefront without ever breaking up from the early 1960s to the present day.

They have had a profound influence on countless world-renowned bands and artists and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

The news of drummer Charlie Watts’s passing in 2021 shocked the world, so even those not well-versed in Western music may have seen their name.

Their classic rock ’n’ roll sound rooted in the blues captivates listeners across generations, and even newcomers to Western rock may find themselves listening naturally.

They are a legendary band through whom you can feel the very history of rock.

VertigoU2

U2 – Vertigo (Official Music Video)

Formed in 1976, the Irish rock band U2 has never disbanded nor lost a member, and they continue to reign as a world-class top band to this day—a living legend in progress.

In particular, guitarist The Edge’s extensive use of ambient and spatial effects has, in my view, exerted a significant influence on many Japanese artists and bands.

Emerging from the early-1980s post-punk and new wave scenes, U2 boldly projected clear political messages and religious values while crafting a wealth of powerful, beautiful songs and sounds, winning popularity not only across Europe but in the United States as well.

From the 1990s onward, they actively embraced cutting-edge styles such as techno and dance music, evolving on their own terms while keeping an eye on the times.

They filled stadiums yet never lost a fresh sensibility, cementing their status as a forward-thinking rock band.

It’s hard to pick just one album from their many releases, but a good starting point would be the two best-of compilations covering 1980–1990 and 1990–2000; from there, you can venture into the original albums.