Cool Western music bands. Recommended overseas bands that will get you pumped just by listening.
There are foreign bands with irresistibly captivating sounds you can hardly hear in Japan! From powerful, energetic vocals and satisfyingly heavy sound production to dynamic stage performances—there’s no way to sum it all up in a single phrase.
This time, based on reliable feedback from music fans submitted to our site, we researched popular Western bands.
Among them, we carefully selected especially well-regarded rock bands—both classic and contemporary—along with their staple songs.
If that’s your thing, be sure to check it out!
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Cool Western music bands. Recommended overseas bands that will hype you up just by listening (81–90)
Gamma RayBirth Control
An eternally second-tier band dubbed the ‘German Deep Purple’ for their hard rock featuring the Hammond organ.
Their rugged looks and lack of polish are part of their charm, and it’s well known that this title track later became the name of a German hard rock band.
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?CHICAGO
Peaked at No.
7 in the U.
S.
in 1971.
Included on the debut album Transit Authority (Chicago’s first album).
It’s an incredible record, with a torrent of masterpieces from Introduction to Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Japanese title), Beginnings, and Questions 67 and 68.
As a single, it was their third to chart, hitting after 25 or 6 to 4.
Early Chicago, when they were doing brass rock, was also politically charged in their songwriting—totally on the offensive.
It’s a completely different band from the later AOR-era Chicago.
The FlameCheap Trick
Cheap Trick, the band that revolutionized the American rock scene! Formed in 1973, they’ve captivated countless fans with their unique sound that fuses British pop and hard rock.
Their 1978 live album, Cheap Trick at Budokan, became a global hit after their popularity in Japan ignited its success.
They went on to produce numerous classics and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
With energetic stage performances and irresistibly catchy melodies, their music is a must-listen not only for rock fans but also for lovers of power pop!
Suzie QCreedence Clearwater Revival
It reached No.
11 in the U.
S.
in 1968.
The debut hit by CCR, the “masters who peaked at No.
2 in the U.
S.
,” also fell just short of the Top 10.
CCR was a band centered on guitarist and vocalist John Fogerty and his brother Tom, the Fogerty brothers, and while they pursued a gritty roots-rock sound—recognized in Japan as a “cool, understated band”—they actually had many hits, including Have You Ever Seen the Rain.
This song was originally by Dale Hawkins in 1957.
Highway StarDeep Purple
Formed in the UK in 1968, Deep Purple is a band that helped shape the dawn of hard rock and heavy metal.
Their signature songs—especially their unforgettable guitar riffs—are regarded as milestones in rock history.
In 2016, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 1975 they were listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the “loudest band in the world.” Ritchie Blackmore’s inventive guitar work and Jon Lord’s keyboard playing, influenced by classical music, are particularly distinctive.
Highly recommended for those who want powerful performances and a heavy, rich sound!
Pull Me UnderDream Theater
Dream Theater is a progressive metal band from the United States.
Known for their complex song structures and advanced musicianship, they achieved worldwide fame with their 1992 album Images and Words.
Their unique sound, which fuses progressive rock and heavy metal, continues to captivate music fans.
In 2013, a track from their self-titled album Dream Theater was nominated for a Grammy, further attesting to their highly regarded talent.
They’re a recommended band for those who want to enjoy technical performances and epic compositions!
Cool Western music bands. Recommended overseas bands that will boost your mood just by listening (91–100)
Girls on filmDuran Duran
Duran Duran falls into the New Romantic category, but I think they also had elements of what could be called the original visual-kei band.
They captivated women and girls of the time with their cool image, but I don’t think they were ever just a band with idol-like good looks.