Japanese Psychedelic Rock from the 1970s

Looking for something new to listen to? Check out this blog post about Japanese psychedelic rock from the 1970s. You’ll find some great new tunes to add to your collection!

Introduction

The 1970s was a decade of change and experimentation in music, and this was especially true in the case of Japanese Psychedelic Rock. This type of rock music emerged from the country’s growing youth culture, which was inspired by Western countercultural movements such as the hippie movement. Japanese Psychedelic Rock bands began to experiment with Western psychedelic rock styles, incorporating elements of folk, garage rock, and electronica into their sound. This resulted in a unique form of rock music that was entirely new and exciting.

Despite its popularity, Japanese Psychedelic Rock remained largely underground throughout the 1970s. However, in recent years there has been a renewed interest in this genre, and many of the bands from the 1970s have been rediscovered by a new generation of fans. If you’re interested in exploring this fascinating type of music, then check out our list of the top Japanese Psychedelic Rock bands from the 1970s.

The Birth of Japanese Psychedelic Rock

In the late 1960s, a new form of music was born in Japan. This new genre was a mix of Western music styles, such as rock and roll, and traditional Japanese music. This new form of music was called Japanese psychedelic rock, or J Psychedelic Rock for short.

The First Wave of Psychedelic Rock

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Japanese rock music underwent a radical transformation. After years of following in the footsteps of Western rock bands, a new generation of Japanese musicians began to experiment with the sounds and styles of psychedelic rock.

The first wave of Japanese psychedelic rock was led by bands like Les Rallizes Dénudés and Acid Mothers Temple. Les Rallizes Dénudés (or “The Naked Rampagers”) were formed in 1967 by guitarist Mizutani Kazuo and singer Kobayashi Hideo. Their sound was raw and powerful, combining elements of blues, jazz, and experimental noise. Acid Mothers Temple, meanwhile, was founded in 1995 by Kawabata Makoto, a member of the legendary experimental rock band Ghost. Acid Mothers Temple blended heavy metal, punk, and space rock with traditional Japanese music to create a uniquely mind-bending sound.

Other important early psychedelic bands included Flied Egg, Far Out, and Blue Cheer. Flied Egg was formed in 1968 by guitarist Ogura Yasunori and keyboardist Hirose Kiko. Their debut album, Good Morning World (1969), is considered one of the landmarks of Japanese psychedelia. Far Out was founded in 1970 by singer-songwriter Nakamura Masami; their self-titled debut album (1970) featured Nakamura’s soaring vocals backed by an explosive blend of hard rock and psychedelia. Blue Cheer was an American band whose 1967 album Outsideinside made them one of the first Western psychedelic bands to gain a following in Japan.

The pioneering work of these bands laid the groundwork for the development of Japanese psychedelia as a distinct genre. In the coming years, hundreds of new psychedelic bands would emerge, helping to make Japan one of the world’s centers for mind-expanding music.

The Second Wave of Psychedelic Rock

The second wave of psychedelic rock, often referred to as “Japanese Psychedelic Rock”, occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This wave was largely influenced by British and American psychedelic music, but also had significant homegrown Japanese influences. This wave of psychedlic rock was led by bands such as Ghost, Les Rallizes Dénudés, and Acid Mothers Temple.

The Evolution of Japanese Psychedelic Rock

Japanese psychedelic rock, also known as Ja-psy, is a rock music genre that includes elements of psychedelic rock, garage rock, and acid rock. The genre emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s and reached the height of its popularity in the 1970s.

The Third Wave of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as garage rock, is a subgenre of rock music that first became popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is characterized by distorted guitars, rhythmic changes, and extended improvisation.

The third wave of psychedelic rock began in the late 1970s with the release of several influential albums, including Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Strung Out in Heaven (1998), Thee Oh Sees’ Floating Coffin (2013), and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s Nonagon Infinity (2016).

Psychedelic rock has had a significant influence on subsequent genres, such as punk rock, alternative rock, and grunge.

The Fourth Wave of Psychedelic Rock

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, there was a resurgence of interest in psychedelic rock in Japan. Bands such as Kikagaku Moyo,ōpasi, Magical Power Mako, White Heaven, and Acid Mothers Temple emerged on the scene, playing a style of psychedelic rock that was heavily influenced by the music of the 1960s and 1970s. These bands often incorporated elements of traditional Japanese music into their sound, giving their music a unique flavor.

The Fourth Wave ofPsychedelic Rockis marked by a return to the sounds and aesthetics of the 1960s and 1970s. Bands such as Kikagaku Moyo,ōpa si, Magical Power Mako, White Heaven, and Acid Mothers Temple are at the forefront of this movement. They are often dubbed as “neo-psychedelic” or “retro-psychedelic”.

The Legacy of Japanese Psychedelic Rock

Japanese psychedelic rock, also known as J-Psychedelia, is a musical movement that began in the late 1960s and peaked in the early 1970s. The genre is a fusion of traditional Japanese music with Western psychedelic rock, and it quickly gained a devoted following both in Japan and abroad. Japanese psychedelic rock bands were heavily influenced by Western artists such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Pink Floyd, and they often incorporated elements of Japanese traditional music into their songs.

The Fifth Wave of Psychedelic Rock

Psychedelic rock, also known as psychedelic pop, is a genre of rock music that was inspired by the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. Psychedelic rocks typically contains elements of psychedelia, acid rock, and 60s garage rock.

The Fifth Wave of Psychedelic Rock is a term used to describe the resurgence of interest in the genre in the late 2000s and early 2010s. This new wave was started by bands such as Thee Oh Sees, Tame Impala, and Ty Segall. These bands brought a new energy and style to the genre, while still paying homage to the classic sounds of the 60s and 70s.

Psychedelic rock has had a significant impact on popular music, especially in the realms of pop and rock. Many artists who have been influenced by psychedelic rock have gone on to achieve great success in their careers. These include David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and The Doors.