I've been wanting to immerse myself more into Japanese for a while, but I'm having troubles with it, seeing as, for example, I don't think there's any Japanese comedy that can match to Married with Children, or Big Bang Theory for me.
Still, leaving that aside, I'd like to know if someone has suggestions for Japanese Rock, something akin to rock from the 60's and 70's. Some of the bands I like: Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Who, The Beatles, Uriah Heep, The Zombies, The Hollies.
Thanks!

I'm really bad with genres...

The Ulfuls have a lot of music I really like, like Banzai! (Suki De Yokatta) and Samural Soul and quite a few others.

I don't know if you'll like them or not, but it's worth a try.

I think X-Japan fits this category. Try this (solo around 3:40 reminds me of Queens style so much) and this, Art of Life is a masterpiece.

One of the youtube comments about Art of Life:

"As much as I love the metal part of this song with Iron Maiden-ish guitar solos with furious drums, I think this piano performance takes this song to complete new level. Kind of place even the legendary Western metal bands such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden couldn't get to. I can't find any other bands(both from West and East) that have musically "broke" me like this one especially with this piano parts. And yes, Yoshiki have proved that even the sound of destroying piano can become music."

Wait for this piano solo, its around 18th minute (3rd part).

I'd recommend Blue Blood I think that's X Japan's best album. imo

Japan Rock Sampler ("How the Post-War Japanese Blew Their Minds on Rock 'n' Roll"): http://www.japrocksampler.com/artists/japrock/

Japan Rock Sampler Top 50: http://www.inthepines.org/blog/index.php?itemid=190

I second Blue Blood.

Also 中島みゆき is great. Really powerful vocals, easy to understand lyrics, nice solos, all in all really solid songs.

I like "Bump of Chicken" a lot.

Also, not at all the style you're looking for (I think Cope's sampler handles that nicely), but wow, D'espairsRay has been on a roll lately. Mirror and Redeemer are brilliant albums, in my opinion. Perhaps the only two in that 'style' they dabble in that I like.

I suggest ONE OK ROCK (especially the Kanjou Effect album) and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION. Last.fm is also a great way to learn about similar artists, and the only recommendation service I've found with a good Japanese music selection.

Massive recommendation to くるり　(Qururi) if you like the Beatles. Quite varied sound but mostly 60/70's British influenced - their lyrics are also awesome!

one of my favourite songs:

I'd like to suggest Mongol 800. I found out about them through a drama (Operation Love). My favorite album is Eight Hundreds - more of a classic rock feel than their others, which seem more ska or punk to me. Anyway, I like the bands you say you like, so maybe you'll like them too.

These two tracks in particular are now among my favorites in any language:

Not Equal:

ターコイズ :
(The first 30 seconds are a totally different character from the rest of the song, so give it a chance to get going...)

Also, you can get their stuff on iTunes it looks like:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mongol800/id202191113

This web site has all kinds of reviews for Japanese and other international bands (among other resources... ahem

http://www.undermusik.com/2009/07/mongol800.html

Edit: Forgot the song link.

I just got into WEAVER. It's soft rock with a high emphasis on piano.

gyuujuice Wrote:I just got into WEAVER. It's soft rock with a high emphasis on piano.

Wow, that's really good. Thanks for the post!

I enjoyed gyuujuice's recommendation for Weaver too. In fact, I've enjoyed listening to all the suggestions here.

@perrin4869
How about B'z. They're a Japanese rock band who've been on the go since around 1988. My wife is a big fan so I've listened to their music and grown to enjoy it too. Their songs range from:
classic rock
熱きの鼓動の果て

rock/metal-
My Lonely Town

touch of glam rock -
Love Phantom

to gentler ballads (used this one at my wedding!) -
Ocean

I've seen them in concert a few times. Here they are playing one of the many the fans love to hear live-
愛のバクダン

A good intro to them would be one of the hits albums such as: B'z The Best of "Pleasure II".

I tend to prefer female vocals in my music, so one of the few actual J-Rock groups I have on my iPod is GO!GO!7188. I also have SCANDAL, but that's a bit more Japanese Pop/Rock.