What is Jrock?

Japanese rock, or J-Rock, is a form of rock music that was heavily influenced by American and British rock of the 1960's. The first bands performed what is called "Group Sounds." This infused Japanese kayōkyoku music and Western rock. Most of their lyrics were also in English.

Folk Rock band, back in the 1970's, Happy End is the first Japanese rock band to sing all in Japanese. To learn more about them go here.

Birth of Visual Kei

The 1980's spawned several branches of the Japanese Rock scene such as punk and alternative bands such as The Pillows. But it also gave birth to one of the most recognizable forms of Jrock: Visial Kei. This movement is distinct for its use of elaborate costumes, out of this world makeup and insane hairstyles. This style of Jrock was first considered to be dark in style and content. The visual Kei movement is headed by X Japan, Dead End, D'erlanger, Buck-Tick and Color. The term visual Kei is said to come from X-Japans slogans, "Psychedelic Violence-Crime of Visual Shock."

Around 2001, a more brighter version of the movement, called Oshare Kei, appeared. It used bright colors, flashy costumes and their lyrics were positive and about love. Visual Bands now a days have started incorporating those concepts into their music as well, which has blurred lines between the genres. Notable bands in this category are Aicle and SuG.

There are also other sub genres to visual Kei such as Nagoya (Dean) , Lolita (D), Iryou (NightingeiL), Eroguro ( Cali Gari) and Neo Traditional (Kiryu). Most bands these days don't seem to use the sub-genres as much and stick to the general Visual Kei label. Most incorporate elements of each genre into their music/videos/looks.

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Sources:Oshare Kei,