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

Still WaitingSUM41

Sum 41 – Still Waiting

A rock band known as Canada’s world-famous punk act, hugely popular in Japan as well.

Many people have probably heard them, as their songs have been featured in films like Godzilla: Final Wars, Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four.

Their knack for catchy melodies—evident in Still Waiting from their earlier, more metal-leaning period—is outstanding and continues to breathe through many of their songs even after their stylistic shift.

Despite their heavy rock sound, the pop sensibility of their melodies makes them easy to listen to, even for newcomers to Western rock music.

Chop Suey!System Of A Down

System Of A Down – Chop Suey! (Official HD Video)

System of a Down is an American rock band that began performing under this name in 1995.

While rooted in heaviness, they are a modern heavy rock band known for dramatic shifts in intensity that weave in delicate, beautiful passages, as well as melodic vocal lines.

They went on hiatus in 2006 but resumed activities in 2011.

That said, they haven’t released a studio album since 2005, and fans are no doubt eagerly awaiting new material.

Club FootKasabian

Kasabian – Club Foot (Official Video)

In a sense, Kasabian are the most unfortunate rock band.

After Oasis broke up, they should have become the iconic band to carry Britain on their shoulders.

However, with the global popularity of groups like Arctic Monkeys and Coldplay, they never made it to the top.

Welcome To The Black ParadeMy Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance – Welcome To The Black Parade [Official Music Video] [HD]

My Chemical Romance is considered an iconic band of the so-called emo boom that swept through the 2000s.

Known in Japan by the nickname “Mai-Kemi,” they formed in 2001 in New Jersey, USA.

Their debut album, 2002’s I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, drew attention in Japan for its distinctive sound that blended elements of screamo—already gaining some buzz at the time—with a gothic flair.

After their major-label debut, their style evolved beyond post-hardcore into a grand, dramatic musicality reminiscent of Queen, and they became one of America’s representative rock bands with worldwide recognition.

In Japan, they enjoyed strong popularity as well, appearing on music programs and even performing at the Nippon Budokan.

Although they sadly disbanded in 2013, they reunited in 2019.

Now, in the 2020s—when more and more people weren’t around for the excitement of their heyday—I hope listeners will rediscover how great their music truly is.

Start with The Black Parade, their masterful conceptual rock opera that put their name on the global map, and experience the brilliance of My Chem’s unique brand of rock!

Country GirlPrimal Scream

Primal Scream – Country Girl (Official Video)

If I had to sum it up in one phrase, Primal Scream is a band with impeccable taste.

They’re great at incorporating the latest sounds and ushering new trends to rock fans who are typically more closed off.

Bobby, the vocalist, is over 50, but he’s a youthful, lean rock star.

Far Gone And OutThe Jesus and Mary Chain

The Jesus And Mary Chain – Far Gone And Out (Official Music Video)

This is The Jesus and Mary Chain, who likely influenced Japanese rock bands as well.

The band became famous for their noise feedback, and the eardrum-shattering volume of their sound is legendary.

They’re also known as the first band signed to Creation Records, the label that Oasis later joined.

Bitter Sweet SymphonyThe Verve

The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony

In the late 1990s, when Oasis lost momentum, I think this band was the one supporting British rock.

It’s probably Radiohead in truth, but for personal reasons I’ll give the nod to this one.

You could even say they created a new kind of psychedelic music.