ZB's A-Z of J-Music: J-Rock J-Pop Indie 8bit - A guide to the modern Japanese music scene: Calendar 2011 - Blood Stain Child - A-Kon

# (9)

1000say (1)

100s (1)

175r (1)

176BIZ (1)

2 Bullet (1)

3nd (1)

54-71 (2)

5678s The (1)

6eyes (2)

800 Cherries (1)

80kids (1)

8bit (8)

8bit Project (1)

9mm Parabellum Bullet (6)

A (20)

A-Kon (2)

Abingdon Boys School (7)

About Tess (1)

Acid Mothers Temple (4)

Adachi Tomomi Royal Chorus (3)

Advantage Lucy (1)

Aioria (1)

Aira Mitsuki (2)

AKB48 (5)

Akeboshi (1)

Akiko Hamada (1)

akira (1)

alis del lotton ROY symphonica orchesto (1)

Allport Diary (1)

An Cafe (2)

Andimori (1)

andymori (1)

Angelo (1)

Anime Boston (2)

Anime Central (2)

Anime Expo (6)

Anime Matsuri (3)

Anime Next (1)

Anime Weekend Atlanta (2)

AnimeNEXT (1)

Antic Cafe (2)

April (20)

Aprils The (2)

Arai Yumi (1)

Area51 (1)

Art Cube (1)

Art-School (2)

Asakusa Jinta (3)

Asian Kung-Fu Generation (3)

Asparagus (1)

Audio Safari (1)

August (19)

Aural Vampire (8)

Auranoisazzzz (1)

Automatics The (1)

Avengers in Sci-Fi (4)

Ayabie (1)

ayumi hamasaki (1)

B (29)

Babylon (1)

Babymetal (2)

Back-On (1)

Bacon (1)

BakuBeni (3)

Balloons (1)

Banana Erectors (1)

Base Ball Bear (4)

BBQ Chickens (2)

Beaches The (2)

Beat Crusaders (2)

Becca (2)

BeForU (1)

Bespa Kumamero (5)

Best Of (8)

Best of 2008 (1)

Best of 2009 (1)

Best of 2010 (1)

Birds Melt Sky (1)

Black Mages (1)

Blam Honey (2)

Bleach (1)

Bleach03 (1)

Blood (9)

Blood Stain Child (1)

Bloodthirsty Butchers (4)

BO-PEEP (5)

Boom Boom Satellites (9)

Boredoms (2)

Boris (5)

Bremen (1)

Brilliant Green (3)

Brixton Academy (3)

Brown The (2)

Buck-Tick (7)

Budo Grape (9)

Buffalo Daughter (1)

Bugy Craxone (1)

Bump of Chicken (1)

Burger Nuds (1)

Butterflymonkey (1)

C (15)

Calendar (211)

Camino (3)

Capitan Straydum (1)

Capsule (4)

Captains The (3)

Cellythm (1)

Chappie (1)

Chara (1)

Chatmonchy (3)

Chibo Matto (1)

Chiptune (13)

Chirinuruwowaka (1)

Chocolat (1)

Classical (1)

Clean of Core (2)

Coaltar of the Deepers (3)

Coltemonikha (2)

Composer (1)

Cow'p (2)

Cruyff in the Bedroom (1)

Cube Juice (1)

Cune (1)

Cyborg Oretachi (1)

D (12)

D -band (1)

D'espairs Ray (3)

DaizyStripper (1)

dance (2)

Dark Phoenix (1)

Dazzle Vision (3)

De De Mouse (6)

Deathstorm (1)

December (9)

Deluhi (1)

Denki Groove (4)

Detroit 7 (6)

Die Die Color (1)

Dir en Grey (4)

Distant Worlds (1)

Dizzy Joghurt (1)

Do-Nuts The (1)

Dokaka (1)

Dolly (1)

Doping Panda (1)

Downy (4)

Drum:Kan (1)

E (8)

Eastern Youth (3)

Echostream (1)

Eel (1)

Eksperimentoj (2)

Electric Eel Shock (14)

Electro (117)

Emeralds The (6)

Emmie the Stripper (1)

Esrevnoc (1)

Eufonius (1)

Ex-Girl (2)

Exile (1)

Experimental (30)

Explore the Unexplored (16)

F (6)

Fake? (1)

Falsies On Heat (2)

FanimeCon (2)

Far East Recording (2)

February (7)

FETES (1)

Final Fantasy (1)

Flip (2)

Floppy (4)

Folk (13)

Foot Stamp (1)

Freezepop (1)

Fro-Foa (1)

Fullarmor (3)

Furukawa Miki (1)

G (14)

Gackt (4)

GagagaSP (1)

Galneryus (1)

Ghost (1)

Girls Tape Store (1)

Girugamesh (3)

Gito Gito Hustler (1)

Glay (3)

GO GO 7188 (4)

Goatbed (1)

Going Underground (1)

Gonin-ish (1)

goomi (1)

Goth (18)

GPKISM (3)

Grapevine (2)

group_inou (1)

Grunge (1)

Guitar Plus Me (1)

Guitar Wolf (2)

Gutevolk (1)

Gyoko (1)

H (18)

Halcali (6)

Hang On The Box (1)

Hangry and Angry (2)

Hard Rock (26)

Hartfield (1)

Hatsune Miku (2)

Hazel Nuts Chocolate (1)

HearJapan (3)

Heiz The (1)

Hello Project (3)

Henrytennis (1)

Hi-Posi (1)

HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR (2)

Hikashu (1)

Hip-Hop (1)

Hoahio (1)

Hoff Dylan (1)

Home Made Kazoku (1)

Hondalady (1)

Hora (2)

HOSOME (2)

Husking Bee (2)

Hyacca (1)

I (3)

iLL (3)

Immi (2)

Inazuma (1)

Indie Rock (93)

Industrial (22)

Instrumental (20)

Interview (15)

Inugami Circus Dan (4)

It Came from Japan (1)

J (2)

JAM Project (2)

January (7)

Japan Nite (10)

Japanator Radio (102)

Jazz (4)

Jin Akanishi (1)

jinny oops (1)

Joseph Nothing (1)

Judy and Mary (2)

Juicy Fruits (1)

July (33)

June (25)

Jyukai (2)

K (15)

Kahimi Karie (1)

Kalafina (6)

Kamikazecon (1)

Kamomekamome (2)

Kanon Wakeshima (6)

Karen (1)

KAT-TUN (1)

Katamari (1)

Katsucon (2)

Kawaii Kon (1)

Kaya (1)

Kayo (1)

Ketchup Mania (7)

Kigurumi (1)

Kiiiiiii (2)

Kiryu (1)

Kishidan (2)

Kizuki Minami (1)

Koenjihyakkei (1)

Kokusyoku Sumire (1)

kulu kulu garden (1)

L (9)

L'Arc-en-Ciel (5)

Lareine (1)

Levelload (3)

Lillies and Remains (12)

Lily of the Valley (1)

Ling Tosite Sigure (8)

Lite (5)

LM.C (2)

Love Love Straw (1)

Love Psychedelico (3)

Luminous Orange (1)

Luna Sea (3)

Lyrics (5)

M (38)

m.o.v.e. (3)

MacDonald Duck Eclair (2)

Malice Mizer (1)

Mana (1)

MarBell (1)

Marble (1)

Marble Sheep (1)

March (10)

Mari Iijima (1)

Mars Eurythmics (1)

Marsh-mallow (1)

Maruosa (1)

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs (5)

Matryoshka (3)

Matsutoya Yumi (1)

Maximum the Hormone (7)

May (42)

May'n (1)

Mean Machine (1)

MEG (1)

Megumi Nakajima (1)

Mell (2)

Melt Banana (7)

Merengue (1)

Merzbow (1)

Metal (28)

Metalchicks (1)

Miaou (2)

Midori (3)

Miho Hatori (1)

Mika Bomb (1)

Mika Nakashima (1)

Miki Furukawa (3)

Mikio Hirama (1)

Mini Moni (1)

Mirraz (1)

Mix Market (1)

Mix Speaker's Inc. (2)

Miyavi (10)

Mo'some Tonebender (4)

Moi dix Mois (3)

Moja (2)

Molice (13)

Momoi Halko (5)

Momoi Haruko (2)

Mono (5)

Monokuro (1)

Morning Musume (5)

Mosaic.wav (1)

mothercoat (1)

Motocompo (2)

Mouse on the Keys (5)

Mowmow Lulu Gyaban (1)

MUCC (4)

murr*murr (1)

Mutyumu (2)

My Plastic JonBenet Doll (1)

N (11)

Nananine (1)

Naomi Tamura (1)

Natccu (3)

Nekocon (1)

New Wave (29)

Next Music from Tokyo (1)

Nico Touches the Walls (2)

Nine Days Wonder (2)

Nirgilis (1)

Nobukazu Takemura (1)

Nobuo Uematsu (2)

Noodles (4)

November (25)

Novembers The (1)

Nuito (2)

Number Girl (4)

NYAF (4)

Nyantora (2)

O (10)

Oblivion Dust (2)

October (32)

Ogre You Asshole (4)

Okamoto's (1)

Omodaka (17)

On An Ocean Amp (2)

Oni-con (1)

Onmyo-za (2)

Oreskaband (5)

Otakon (5)

Otaku USA (15)

Otokage (1)

Otsuka Ai (3)

owarikara (1)

P (28)

P-Model (2)

Pacific Media Expo (1)

Paperbag Lunchbox (1)

Pasteboard (1)

Peanuts The (1)

Peelander-Z (6)

People In The Box (1)

Per (1)

Perfume (11)

Petty Booka (2)

Pierrot (1)

Pillows The (6)

Pine AM (4)

Pinky Doodle Poodle (1)

Pistol Valve (1)

Plastic Girl in Closet (1)

Plastics The (1)

Plasticzooms (3)

Plugnet (1)

Plus-Tech Squeeze Box (1)

Poll (5)

Polysics (37)

Pop (95)

Pop Chocolat (2)

Post Punk (8)

Post Rock (21)

Predators The (4)

Progressive (2)

Psycho le Cemu (2)

Psydoll (1)

Psysalia Psysalis Psyche (2)

Puffy Ami-Yumi (6)

Punk (25)

Q (3)

Qomolangma Tomato (2)

Quaff (3)

Quartz-Head 02 (1)

Quruli (1)

Qypthone (1)

R (9)

Ram Rider (1)

Rap (1)

Reach Up to the Universe (1)

Recoride (1)

Red Bacteria Vacuum (3)

Red Balloon (1)

Red Sun (1)

Rejuvenated Half-Face (1)

Remain On (1)

Remioromen (2)

Review (42)

Riddim Saunter (1)

Ringo Shiina (2)

Roach (1)

Rock (123)

Roly Poly Rag Bear (1)

Royalinserts (1)

rururu (1)

Ryuichi Sakamoto (3)

S (30)

S.K.I.N. (3)

Safe Rock (10)

Saitone (2)

Sakanaction (1)

Sakura-Con (3)

Samurai Attack (2)

Saori_at_destiny (1)

Scandal (7)

Scarlet (1)

School Food Punishment (3)

Schroeder-Headz (1)

Schwarz Stein (2)

Screaming Frogs The (1)

Seabara (1)

Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her (1)

Seileen (1)

September (38)

Sex Machineguns (3)

Sexy Synthesizer (2)

sgt. (6)

Shabushabu (1)

Shadow (1)

Shibuya-kei (11)

Shiho Fujisawa (1)

Shiina Ringo (1)

Shinichi Osawa (1)

Shoegaze (15)

Shokotan (4)

Shonen Knife (4)

Shugo Tokumaru (3)

SID (1)

Sisen (2)

Sister Jet (1)

Six String Sonics The (1)

Ska (1)

Skunkrice (1)

Skywings (2)

Sleepy.ab (1)

Sodopp (1)

Soft Ballet (1)

Solaris (1)

Sonic Coaster Pop (1)

Sophia (1)

Sour (1)

Southern All Stars (1)

Spaghetti Vabune (1)

Sparta Locals (2)

Spoozys (1)

Sputniko (1)

Stereopony (1)

Straightener (4)

Strawberry Machine (1)

Sugizo (2)

Suicide Ali (2)

Sunset Drive (1)

Supercar (7)

Surfactants The (2)

susquatch (1)

Susumu Hirasawa (2)

Swinging Popsicle (1)

SXSW (4)

Syrup16g (1)

T (15)

Takako Minekawa (1)

Takuya Angel (1)

techno (1)

Telephones The (2)

Thee 50's High Teens (3)

Thee Out Mods (1)

Tiger Shovel Nose (1)

TK (1)

TM Network (1)

TM Revolution (4)

Toddle (2)

Toko Furuuchi (1)

Tokyo Jihen (4)

Tokyo Pinsalocks (6)

Tommy February6 (1)

Tommy Heavenly6 (1)

Tomovsky (1)

Tomoyasu Hotei (1)

Tongari Kids (1)

Translation (1)

Tsuji Ayano (1)

Tsushimamire (8)

Tucker (1)

Twee (1)

TWIN TAIL (1)

U (5)

uhnellys (1)

Ulfuls (1)

Under17 (1)

Underneath The (3)

Unicorn Table (2)

Unkie (1)

Usk (1)

Usotsuki Barbie (2)

Utada Hikaru (5)

V (6)

Vamps (5)

Versailles (17)

Videos of the Week (58)

Vidoll (1)

Viridian (2)

Vis-kei (24)

Vocaloid (3)

Vola and The Oriental Machine (9)

W (6)

W (Double You) (1)

Wagdug Futuristic Unity (1)

Walrus (1)

wash? (1)

Winnie (2)

witch-house (1)

Worlds End Girlfriend (2)

X (1)

X-Japan (8)

Y (7)

Yellow Machinegun (1)

Yellow Magic Orchestra (7)

YMCK (6)

Yogurt Pooh (2)

Yoko Ishida (3)

Yoko Kanno (1)

Yoshida Brothers (7)

Yui (1)

Yuzu (1)

Z (2)

Zazen Boys (11)

ZB's News (31)

Zeuhl (1)

ZONE (1)

Zoobombs (1)

J-Pop and J-Rock are only the beginning. The modern Japanese music scene is just as vibrant and varied as any other music scene in the world. I'm Zac Bentz, writer, musician, designer and all around Japanese music fanatic. Here I hope to share with you a comprehensive (!!) list of Japanese artists and bands (with a strong focus on underground and indie acts) that you may or may not have heard of, in the hopes of expanding our mutual awareness of Japanese music.

I don't mean to suggest that everything I listen to is great. Quite the contrary, I hope that you will take the time to recommend your own favorite artists in the comments so that we can all learn a bit more about the huge range of Japanese music that's out there.

"The best Japanese music blog in the world." - Door Slam
"Definitely a must-visit for J-pop and J-rock fans!" - The Otaku
"Zac Bentz loves music. A lot." - Japanator
"Very cool!" - J-ENT
"...one of the foremost blogs and information centers on all J-pop and J-rock...the top source for tour information on Japanese bands in the US..." - YankeeOtaku
"Wer mehr darüber wissen will, der sollte sich mal hier umschauen, ein sehr gutes J-Music Blog übrigens." - CommandSheep
"...very well-written, and there’s an excellent range of artists...a useful resource." - International Wota
"не плохая энциклопедия японских исполнителей/групп" - Diary.ru
"Great resource for Japanese music fans who want to explore today's J-rhythms beyond Johnny's Entertainment bishonen music and anime music. XD" -Kaishi
"If you are a J-Rock fan, [ZB's A-Z] is a must see." -Crunchyroll community
"Otaku USA magazine finally got wise and hired Zac Bentz as a J-music contributing editor." -Radicalpatriot
"Reviews practically every Asian band that has ever created a recording." - Zallie
"Gewährt spannende Einblicke in die japanische Musikszene." -Laut.de