Top 5 Dead or Alive...sounds familiar?

It has indeed been awhile since I've last entered a post to my dearly beloved prestigious blog. I've been meaning to make a post in regards to my top (fill in the blank). For this post I'll ramble on about my Top 5 Bands. Not really sure if it is going to be in specific order though...

1. ストレイテナー (STRAIGHTENER)



Never have I heard a band so capable of mixing and meshing melodic sounds with hard hitting fast tempo rock. These guys can pull off all styles, these dudes totally broadened my perspective on music. With so much emotions bearing beneath the vocals, you can literally feel their passion emitting from their instruments. If there is one thing that these boys don't lack, it's heart. One of the greatest live bands in my opinion. Besides Hinata is in the band, what more can I say? :p

Recommended songs:
- Killer Tune [Natural Born Killer Mix]
- MARCH

2. ART-SCHOOL




I'm not sure whether it was Black Sunshine or Under My Skin that I heard first (while browsing on Youtube), but whatever it was I was so captivated by their sound. Riki sure knows how to compose music and especially write them catchy hooks! I just love ART-SCHOOL's music from Fiona Apple Girl to their latest Illmatic Baby, this band has that sound that everybody could love. Like a true indie band ART-SCHOOL has yet to reach the popularity that this band deserves! Whatever 'it' is, ART-SCHOOL has it. Also another great live band!

Recommended songs:
- Black Sunshine
- Lolita Kills Me

3. ZAZEN BOYS



In the beginning (like most bands I listen to) I had trouble getting into these boys. But after giving them countless tries, I've grown to love this band. Their unorthodox deliver to music is quite different if not very unique. Capable mixing math rock with just about anything from rap to slow jams and now adding the synth with groovy rifts, this band has probably covered all sorts of genres. Though I'm not a big fan of their new stuff (just give me a few more listens :p) I love their older stuff (you know, when Hinata was still in their line-up), I just prefer the ZAZEN BOYS that utilized the guitar more often then the new sound they have now.

Recommended songs:
- 半透明少女関係
- Friday Night

4. THE NOVEMBERS



She Lab Luck, Youtube that video now! This is probably the only band where when I first heard their song I instantly fell in love. Actually second, ELLEGARDEN was the first haha. These guys are very different from the bands above, one song they're playing heart pounding music with fast tempo fused with multiple effects and guitar chords, the next they're playing low tempo ballads-ish. One minute they're dark and omnious the next it's bright and soothing. These dudes rock! Watch out for these bad boys! Cannot wait for their next release entitled Paraphilia.

Recommended songs:
- She Lab Luck
- Chernobyl

5. ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION & ELLEGARDEN



I thought it was only right I grouped these two together because well, they were the first two bands that really got me into Japanese Rock. ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION are, well let's face it, Japan's Rock and Roll icon. ELLEGARDEN are just up there with them, if not greater. Obviously I've heard of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION from their opening of various anime (Naruto and FullMetal Alchemist), ELLEGARDEN on the other hand was from Youtube (gotta love Youtube eh?). When I first heard ELLEGARDEN I was really amazed by their sound, especially how their vocalist can sing so well in english, he probably speaks it better than I do (seriously...). When I first started playing the bass guitar, the first songs I covered were by these bands, I gotta pay homage to these dudes.

Recommended songs:
- Kimi to iu hana (ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION)
- Stereoman (ELLEGARDEN)

Honorable Meantions:
- 9mm Parabellum Bullet
- Blink 182
- The Fall of Troy
- Ogre You Asshole
- Paramore