Japanese rock music has been on the rise in America since the late 90s, and more and more Japanese rock bands have been touring the States since. A lot of people have the misconception that because I like Japanese rock, I don't appreciate American rock. If it wasn't for Western rock music, the East probably wouldn't have had such a Rock revolution. Bands like X Japan couldn't get initially signed because the music sounded to foreign and vulgar. X Japan was heavily influenced by KISS, while other bands have reported their influences being everything from Bob Dylan to Led Zepplin to Nine Inch Nails.
Now comparing Western to Eastern rock is very interesting. Some say there is no difference, 'rock is rock'...while this is true there is a fairly distinct difference in live performances. I was able to photograph Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour '08 with three Japanese rock bands and several other American rock bands such as Atreyu and Avenged Sevenfold. Comparing a band like MUCC to Atreyu, there are immediate differences in the styles, but MUCC puts on a more raw and powerful performance. Like most of the Japanese rock bands I have seen Live, they put their entire being into a performance, and their Lives tend to be better than their studio work. Not saying that American musicians don't put passion into their lives, but with the experience of RTOC'08 in mind they didn't work the stage or even put enough fire in their voices like the Japanese musicians did. Japanese rock also tends to incorporate more of their traditional music elements like the use of the Shamisen and MUCC even has on occasion uses a Sitar.
I often get, "why do you like Japanese rock, you don't even know what they are saying?" This is a very good question. Why listen to music when I don't understand any of the lyrics?
For me music transcends language. While lyrics are an important part of music, the instrumentals itself carries just as much of a story and emotion if orchestrated beautifully enough. Like listening to musical scores, if we listen intently enough we can be just as easily moved by just the sound. Listening to the vocals just as a sound is captivating.Thinking about the voice being instrument itself is intriguing and beautiful to me. While, I still look up the lyrics to the Japanese rock songs, I feel like I can still understand what the artist was trying say through the talent of the vocals. Lyrics are like poetry and to one person may be interpreted differently than another, just like most any other art form. It's all subjective and I don't expect anyone to like or even understand Japanese rock.
Below is a list of Japanese rock (Zilch being Japanese American rock) that I'd recommend if you are interested. The thing too about a lot of newer Japanese rock is that it usually is a mix of Japanese and English, like some of the songs below. Miyavi, Bomb Factory, and Zilch are mostly sung in English. Bomb Factory is a little more Hardcore punk, The Pillows are more Alternative rock, and D'espairsRay are a bit more Metal than the rest. Anyway, enjoy.
miyavi - torture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLGmAXOVReM
mucc - fukurou no yurikago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLaE0HSVjRw
hyde - hello
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8s8edgmsiE
gackt - returner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXWRxdLkJIw
x japan - scars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beJQ3IbXUfs
zilch - psyche
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVHyPvdQw00
sugizo - enola gay rise to cosmic dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMMezWwLUYE
d'espairsRay - sixty nine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVCYJy2vDzI
the pillows - ride on shooting star
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9rrVZIlpJA
bomb factory - exciter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOrHC59-adI&feature=related
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