【コラム】日本のロック史：メインストリームとアンダーグラウンドの交差点

Column en Noise Psychedelic Rock Rock

25 Sep 2025

Double structure of Japanese rock history: front stage and underground water vein

Text: mmr｜Theme: Mainstream and underground Japanese rock

Japanese rock began to spread with Group Sounds (GS), which flourished in the 1960s.However, at the same time, a trend of ``underground rock’’ with an experimental spirit and destructive energy was born, separate from the public stage.Naked Larry’s, Keiji Haino, Boredoms, Acid Mother’s Temple, and others helped make Japan’s noise rock and psychedelic scene known internationally.

1960s: The Shock of Naked Larrys

Naked Rally’s — Psychedelic rock full of acid and noise is the origin of Japan’s “underground music.”Even the bootleg sound source has become mythical.

1970s: Keiji Haino’s experimental spirit

Keiji Haino — Crossing improvisation, free jazz, and noise.It had a decisive influence on the experimental music scene both domestically and internationally.

In contrast to Happy End ``Kazemachi Roman’’, Underground has evolved in a darker direction.

1980s: Band boom

At the same time as mainstream music such as BOØWY / RC Succession, the experimental spirit from underground has increased its presence.

1990s: International breakthrough

Boredoms (Yamatsuka Ai) — A live experience that fuses psychedelic and noise has shocked the alternative scene overseas.

Seiichi Yamamoto (Omide Hatoba, ROVO) — Kyoto-based experimental rock.

Shonen Knife — Pop punk from Osaka.Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain also praised it.

Melt-Banana — An overwhelming live band with a noisecore/grind feel.His work was published by John Zorn’s Tzadik and received international acclaim.

Acid Mother’s Temple — A deluge of psych drones.Overwhelming support at European festivals.

2000s: Guitar Wolf’s rock and roll

Guitar Wolf — Standard bearer of “Jet Rock’n’Roll”.After touring overseas, they became a symbol of the garage rock revival.

2010s-Present: Reappraisal and the Digital Era

Shonen Knife, Keiji Haino, Boredoms and others are being reevaluated overseas.

Rock sounds will be connected to movie soundtrack production and AI music generation, and the underground spirit will be revived in a new way.

Evolution by generation and major artists

flowchart TD A["1960s: Origins — GS and Naked Larry's"] --> B["1970s: Folk and experimental music — Keiji Haino"] B --> C["1980s: Behind the scenes of Shonen Knife and the band boom"] C --> D["1990s: Seiichi Yamamoto, Boredoms, Melt-Banana, Acid Mother's Temple"] D --> E["2000s: Guitar Wolf's international garage rock"] E --> F["2010s: Reappraisal and festival culture"] F --> G["2020s: AI music generation and soundtrack production"]

Recommended masterpiece list by generation

Artist	Year	Masterpiece	Features	Links
Naked Larry’s	1960s-70s	“Live 1972”	Psychedelic and noisy legendary boot board work	mercari
Keiji Haino	1970s	“Watashi Dake?” (1973)	A solitary solo album that goes back and forth between silence and explosion	Amazon
Shonen Knife	1980s	“Burning Farm” (1983)	The beginning of pop punk, praised even in overseas indie scenes	Amazon
BOØWY	1980s	“JUST A HERO” (1986)	The peak of the Japanese band boom, street-like momentum	Amazon

Boredoms	1990s	“Vision Creation Newsun” (1999)	The extremes of psychedelic noise, inducing a trance-like experience	Amazon
Melt-Banana	1990s	“Cell-Scape” (1994/2003)	Noise core/grind feel, popular on overseas tours	Amazon
Acid Mothers Temple	2000s	“Univers Zen ou de Zéro à Zéro” (2002)	Drones and impromptu psychedelic deluge	Amazon
Acid Mothers Temple	2000s	“La Novia”	Hajime Kawabata’s space-oriented psychedelic jam, an epic trip feeling	Amazon
Seiichi Yamamoto	2000s	“Crown of Fuzzy Groove” (2002)	A solo masterpiece where experimentation and melody coexist	Amazon
Guitar Wolf	2000s	“Jet Generation” (1999)	The world’s loudest rock’n’roll album	Amazon
RADWIMPS	2010s	“Your Name.Soundtrack” (2016)	Fusion of rock and soundtrack production, internationally talked about	Amazon
YOASOBI	2020s	“THE BOOK” (2021)	Pop rock in the digital age including an AI approach	Amazon

FAQ: About underground Japanese rock

Q1. What is the difference between Japanese underground rock and mainstream?

A1. The emphasis is on experimentation and originality rather than commercial success.Another feature is that they have been highly praised on overseas tours and in the indie scene.

Q2: Why is the Naked Larrys sound source so rare?

A2: There are few official releases, and live recordings and boot albums are considered legendary.

Q3: Why was Boredoms so well received overseas?

A3: This is because our unique live production that combines psychedelic and noise and overwhelming sound pressure resonated in the alternative culture sphere.

Q4: Why is Melt-Banana popular overseas?

A4: We gained international acclaim for our overwhelming live performances, sense of speed, and connections with experimental musicians such as John Zorn.

Q5: What is Seiichi Yamamoto’s most famous work?

A5: Memory Wharf Underwater Joe''](https://amzn.to/4pJINuQ), [ROVO's live show](https://amzn.to/4gJvJRT), and solo works [Crown of Fuzzy Groove’’ are important.

summary

Japan’s rock history has evolved in parallel with the “mainstream” on the front and the “underground” on the back.The lineage from Naked Larry’s to Guitar Wolf continues into the current AI era, continuing to expand the possibilities of rock.Japanese rock will continue to provide “experimentation and impulse” to the world music scene.

🔗 [Column] The trajectory of Japanese underground rock and noise from the 90s to 2000s