Japanese Psychedelic Rock: A Brief History

Japanese psychedelic rock is a genre that is often overlooked, but it has a rich history dating back to the late 1960s. In this blog post, we’ll take a brief look at the origins of Japanese psychedelic rock and some of the key bands that have shaped the genre.

Introduction

Psychedelic rock, also known as acid rock or garage rock, is a subgenre of rock music that first came to prominence in the 1960s. characterized by distorted guitars, heavy feedback, and mind-altering lyrics, psychedelic rock was at its height of popularity during the “Summer of Love” in 1967. While thegenre is often associated with the hippie movement of the 1960s, it arose out of a more diverse range of influences, including British Invasion groups such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, as well as blues-rockers such as Jimi Hendrix and Cream.

Japanese psychedelic rock is a subgenre of psychedelic rock that developed in Japan in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Japanese psychedelic rock bands drew liberally from Western psychedelia, but also incorporated elements from Japanese music, such as traditional Japanese instruments and scales. Traditional Japanese instruments such as the koto and sho were often used alongside electric guitars, while Japanese scales such as the pentatonic scale were often used to create a distinctive sound.

Japanese psychedelic rock bands also incorporated elements of traditional Japanese music into their sound. For example, the band Acid Mother’s Temple borrowed heavily from traditional Japanese music, using taiko drums and the koto in their songs. Other bands looked to Western psychedelia for inspiration while still maintaining a distinctly Japanese sound; for instance, Happy End blended Western pop and folk with traditional waltzes and enka ballads.

Today, Japanese psychedelic rock is enjoying a resurgence in popularity both inside and outside of Japan. Thanks to reissues of classic albums by pioneering bands likeflower Travellin’ Band and Les Rallizes Dénudés, as well as new releases by contemporary artists like Kikagaku Moyo and White Heaven, the genre is reaching a new generation of listeners.

The Early Days of Japanese Psychedelic Rock (1960s)

The early days of Japanese Psychedelic Rock were highly influential, yet largely unknown outside of Japan. Nevertheless, these years were crucial in the development of the genre, and laid the foundation for the sound that would later be made famous by bands such as Yellow Magic Orchestra and Can.

The Birth of Japanese Psychedelic Rock (1966-1967)

Japanese psychedelic rock is said to have begun with the cover version of “The End” (1966) by the GROUPies, which was originally performed by American garage rock band The Doors. The song was followed by “Purple Haze” (1967) by the Spiders, another cover of an American psychedelic rock song, this time by Jimi Hendrix.

These two songs are often credited as being the first real examples of Japanese psychedelic rock, and they certainly were influential in paving the way for the genre’s development. Japan would go on to produce some of the most innovative and mind-bending psychedelic rock of the 60s and 70s, with bands like Flied Egg, Les Rallizes Dénudés, Acid Mothers Temple, and White Heaven becoming cult favorites both at home and abroad.

The Rise of Japanese Psychedelic Rock (1968-1969)

Though the genre would not gain its international acclaim until the release of The Psychedelic Samurai in 1972, Japanese psychedelic rock began to take form in the late 1960s with bands like Les Rallizes Dénudés, foodbrain, and Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalo. These groups began to experiment with extended song structures and improvisation, elements which would come to characterize the Japanese psychedelic sound.

In 1968, Les Rallizes Dénudés released their debut album Fucked up Eyes, which featured the now-legendary 20-minute track “Night of the Jackals.” This song would serve as an influence on future Japanese psychedelic bands, who would often incorporate lengthy improvisational sections into their own music.

The following year, foodbrain released their only album, 3rd Equipment. Though it was not a commercial success at the time, the album is now considered a classic of the genre and was included in Rolling Stone’s list of greatest psychedelic albums of all time.

Also in 1969, Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalo released their debut album Stonehenge. Though it was not as overtly psychedelic as some of the other albums released that year, it featured a more experimental approach to songwriting that would prove influential to Japanese psychedelic rock bands in the 1970s.

The Golden Age of Japanese Psychedelic Rock (1970s)

The Golden Age of Japanese Psychedelic Rock, also known as the Japanese Psychedelic Movement, refers to a period in the late 1960s and early 1970s when Japanese rock bands began to experiment with psychedelic sounds and themes. This period saw the release of some of the most iconic and influential Japanese rock albums of all time, including albums by such bands as Les Rallizes Dénudés, Mugen, and Ghost.

The Proliferation of Japanese Psychedelic Rock (1970-1971)

During the early 1970s, Japanese psychedelic rock (also referred to as “J-Psyche”) experienced a moment of great popularity and creativity. This was due in part to the fact that many young musicians were exposed to Western psychedelic and progressive rock music through the importation of foreign records. Bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin were particularly influential to the development of J-Psyche.

In addition, many Japanese musicians were also influenced by traditional Japanese music, which often incorporated elements of folk, Zen Buddhist meditation, and theater. These artists sought to create a new form of music that blended Eastern and Western influences. The result was a unique and innovative sound that was unlike anything that had been heard before.

During this period, several important J-Psyche bands emerged, including Ghost (which later became one of the most successful Japanese rock bands of all time), Far Out (whose members included future superstar Ryuichi Sakamoto), and Les Rallizes Dénudés (whose guitarist, Mizutani Shizuo, is considered by many to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time). Other notable bands from this era include Flower Travellin’ Band, Acid Mothers Temple, Rovo, and White Heaven.

J-Psyche would reach its commercial peak in the early 1970s with the release of several highly successful albums, such as Ghost’s “We Are Useless but Not Forgotten” and Far Out’s “A Question Mark Hangs Over Our heads.” However, by the mid-1970s, the popularity of J-Psyche began to wane due to a number of factors, including a general change in musical taste among young people and a crackdown on illegal drug use by the government. Nevertheless, the impact of J-Psyche can still be felt today in the work of contemporary artists such as Jim O’Rourke, Acid Mothers Temple, ゆーきゃん(YKY), あらかじめ決められた恋人たちへ(Arakajime Karameta Koibitotachi e), and psychedelick jazz band Soiled Mattress & The Springs.

The Zenith of Japanese Psychedelic Rock (1972-1973)

In Japan, the golden age of psychedelic rock is generally considered to be 1972-1973. This was a time when a number of factors came together to create a perfect storm of psychedelia. Japanese musicians were becoming more experimental, and embracing new styles from abroad. Western musicians were increasingly interested in Eastern mysticism and philosophy. And Japanese record companies were willing to take risks on weird and wonderful new sounds.

The result was a string of classic psychedelic albums, by both Japanese and Western artists, that are still revered today. These include the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” Various Artists’ “Nippon Psychedelic Rock Classics,” and many more.

If you’re interested in exploring this fascinating period in music history, we’ve put together a list of essential albums from the golden age of Japanese psychedelic rock.

The Later Years of Japanese Psychedelic Rock (1980s-present)

In the 1980s, psychedelia in Japan changed and began to take on a more new wave and avant-garde direction. This article will focus on the era of Japanese psychedelic rock from the 1980s to the present day.

The Resurgence of Japanese Psychedelic Rock (1980s-1990s)

In the 1980s, Japanese psychedelic rock made a strong comeback, with many new bands being influenced by groups such as Yellow Magic Orchestra and Happy End. These new bands combined traditional Japanese pop music with Western-style rock, resulting in a sound that was both unique and accessible. Many of these groups achieved mainstream success, and their music continues to be popular today.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new generation of Japanese psychedelic rock bands emerged, drawing inspiration from both their predecessors and contemporary Western musicians. These groups continued to experiment with the sound of Japanese psychedelia, creating music that was both innovative and exciting. The 21st century has seen a renewed interest in this style of music, both in Japan and abroad.

Today, Japanese psychedelic rock is more popular than ever, with new bands forming all the time and old ones continually releasing new music. The future of this genre is bright, and its influence can be felt in many corners of the world.

The New Wave of Japanese Psychedelic Rock (2000s-present)

In the early 2000s, a new generation of bands started to emerge that were influenced by the music of the previous two decades. Bands such as Acid Mothers Temple, Mamushi, White Heaven, and Ghost began to experiment with different sounds and create their own unique take on psychedelic rock.

Acid Mothers Temple is a collective of musicians led by guitarist Kawabata Makoto. They are known for their improvisational live shows and have released over 20 albums since their formation in 1995. Mamushi is a four-piece band from Osaka that formed in 2001. They mix elements of noise, punk, and psychedelia to create a sound that is both chaotic and hypnotic. White Heaven is a three-piece band that formed in Tokyo in 1992. They play a mix of psychedelic rock, blues, and country music. Ghost is a five-piece band from Tokyo that formed in 2008. Their music combines elements of heavy metal, folk, and psychedelia.

These bands have continued to push the boundaries of what psychedelic rock can be while staying true to its roots. They are keeping the spirit of Japanese psychedelic rock alive and well into the 21st century.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Japanese psychedelic rock was heavily influenced by Western psychedelia but developed its own unique sound and style. While the genre is not as well-known as some other Japanese music genres, it has a devoted fanbase both in Japan and abroad.