So...J-Rock and Pop

[Forsaken Lover]

I've been into JRPGs and animes for years now but never really got into the Japanese music scene.

But more recently my interest was sparked by....I haven't a clue really. I'm just random like that.

So I've been looking into the whole Visual Kei thing, mainly looking into the bands people around me have been yapping about since I got into Japanese media. Mainly Malice Mizer and X Japan so far.

Of course I'm also listening to some Gackt because the two songs I heard of his off the Dirge of Cerberus OST were pretty cool.

Though, even if he is like a Japanese superstar, I find Mana more interesting and am listening to his group, Moi dix Mois more than I am to Gackt.

Anyway, I'm just wondering:
1. What J-Rock and Pop do you listen to?
2. Do you have any suggestions on who I should look into?

[PuPu]

Utada Hikaru
Ayumi Hamasaki
TETRA-FANG
The Pillows

That's all I know

[Rye]

This is going to be a mix of Korean and Japanese pop, bear that in mind, before any one yells at me for mixing up ethnicities.

Namie Amuro (<3)
Morning Masume (giant girls group that switches line-up every few years)
Ami Suzuki (FREE FREE is one of my favorite songs of ALL TIME)
Kumi Koda
Utada Hikaru (also look up her English stuff under the name Utada, love her!)
Girls Generation (Youtube "Gee" - cutest song EVER! They're kind of like the Korean Morning Masume)
Ayumi Hamasaki
Super Junior (Korean boys group)
Big Bang (Another really awesome Korean boys group)
Crystal Kay (half black - half korean singer who was raised in Japan)

Those are the obvious ones that come to mind. There's are a lot of people out there.

EDIT: I dunno if you're interesting in J-rap but Teriyaki Boyz are like, seriously one of my favorite groups out there. They're really fun and have a lot of collaborations with famous hip-hop artists.

[Jessweeee♪]

Boom Boom Satellites is probably the only Japanese band I have because I really love the band, not because I heard a song in some show or something and liked it a lot xD


So my recommendation is Boom Boom Satellites for sure!

YouTube - Boom Boom Satellites - Def
YouTube - boom boom satellitesâ– The Wonderful Wizard Of Dub
YouTube - Boom Boom Satellites - BLINK
YouTube - Boom Boom Satellites - DRESS LIKE AN ANGEL


Another plus is all of their lyrics are in English, so my friends and family who normally can't stand my Japanese music like them!

[Shiny]

Utada (This bish right here is fierce)
Namie (So is this bish)
Hyde
L'arc en ciel
The Mad Capsule Markets
Asian Kung Fu Generation
Teriyaki Boyz (If they count)
Nujabes (If he counts)
Dir en grey

I used to listen to Gackt in middle school, but I grew out of his music mostly because a lot of his stuff -- especially now is just like wut to me. And his dancing has always been horrible.

If you like stuff like the Mana stuff I would go with Gazette. I can't stand them, but you'd probably like it. There are very few bands in Japan that still do the whole Visual Kei thing. To my knowledge, Gazette is one of the few that still do. I loathe Morning Masume with a passion. I want to destroy every single one of them. STOP. SINGING.

[Quindiana Jones]

Tuts my barreh.

[Rye]

Asian Kung Fu Generation

Hahahaha, yes yes yes yes! I forgot about those. And Mad Caps.

I freaking love After Dark!

Another band Dan introduced me to - Beat Crusaders. This is the coolest performance ever:

YouTube - Tonight Tonight Tonight Beat Crusader

[Shiny]

Oh snap. I forgot about Shocking Lemon. Admittedly, I only usually listen to their Inner Light song, but it's amazing.

[Forsaken Lover]

Utada

A lot of people elsewhere have suggested her as well. *puts down on list*

Dir en grey

I've heard a lot about them over the years as well.

If you like stuff like the Mana stuff I would go with Gazette. I can't stand them, but you'd probably like it. There are very few bands in Japan that still do the whole Visual Kei thing. To my knowledge, Gazette is one of the few that still do.

As I said, I'm new to the whole J-Rock thing. Visual kei is mainly just big, theatrical concerts and performances where the band dress up and use well..visuals in addition to the music they're performing.
Right?

From the bit I've seen of Mana's band, they seem to do that.

Then again it's very possible I'm totally wrong on what visual kei is.

So thanks everyone for the suggestions. Got lots of stuff to check out. =P

Also Romero, do you not like Mana's stuff either then? Just wondering since you suggested a band you didn't like based on a band I did like so I'm guessing they have similar styles.

[rubah]

The ALFEE, to go old-skool
Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Merry
SADS
X-Japan

Gazette is like J-Metal xD

It's worth noting that after Malice Mizer broke up, a short-lived band called Moi dix Mois was formed out of Mana's ashes. I liked them better

[Mo-Nercy]

Being Chinese, I'm more into mandopop and cantopop, and I'm enjoying the music coming out from the 'import' stars like Lee Hom Wang. They're bringing a western touch to Asian music. Jay Chou is my favourite musician of all time. He's been mixing asian and western dominate genres for years.

J-pop wise, I like BoA. Not Japanese, I know, but she does sing it and she's friggin' hot too. xD

[No.78]

Utada Hikaru, and I like that 'Tobira No Mukou E' song by Yellow Generation. :P

J-Rock, not so much.

Utada is my smurfing queen, though.

[Forsaken Lover]

It's worth noting that after Malice Mizer broke up, a short-lived band called Moi dix Mois was formed out of Mana's ashes. I liked them better

Actually, they're still around as far as I know. Last new album came out in 2007 and a live DVD came out in 2008. I'm getting the latter when I have some money.

YouTube - Moi dix Mois - MAd iNgraiN

I have the DVD this is from already.

[Shiny]

Also Romero, do you not like Mana's stuff either then? Just wondering since you suggested a band you didn't like based on a band I did like so I'm guessing they have similar styles.

I do like Mana to an extent, but I haven't listened to much of the stuff as I used to. I get in to moods where I want to listen to certain genres and Mana's stuff is just not doing it for me right now. Though I do like Mana more in Malice Mizer. They were on repeat for me back in middle school. Illuminati MAGICAL MERRIMENT <3

What's that Japanese band that does the whistling song in the Kill Bill movie and the commercial?

[rubah]

this?