The Influence of U2 on Japanese music

I'm a big U2 fan. As you know, U2 made a big hit of 'The Joshua Tree' in 1987 all around the world and espesially The Edge's guitar work influenced music scene including Japan so much. In the west, It was in the 21 the century that its influence became evident like Coldplay, Muse, The Killers, King Of Leon and so on, but in Japan several bands influenced by U2 appeared in 1990s. I suppose it was because the music scene in Japan is divided between Japanese music and western music, and if you imitate U2 in Japan, few people will point out it.  Now I'll show you several Japanese bands similar to U2.

■Echoes (1981~1991)

Echoes was made by Tsuji Hitonari, who is a novelist and awarded a prise of Prix Femina in France for one of his works 'Le Bouddha blanc'. They were influenced by neo psychedelia bands in 80s such as U2, Echoe & The Bunnymen, The Alarn and called The Alarm of Japan. Not U2.

■Barbee Boys (1983~1992)

The twin vocal of a man and a woman is characteristic of Barbee Boys. The guitarist Imamichi Tomotaka is infulenced by The Edge and Andy Summers and his guitar work sounds like that.

■Personz (1983~)

The guitarist Honda takeshi is infulenced by The Edge.

■Izumiya Shigeru (1971~)

He is a famous folk singer. He released a self-cover album influenced by U2 in 1988. It's said that it's like Bob Dylan sings with U2 for his backing-band.

■Jinnnouchi Taizo (1988~)

He is a famous folk singer, a Chiristian and a big U2 fan. He released this song in 1990.

■Mr.Children (1989~)

Because of the image of black-and-white, the lyric with social messages, launching into charities like Ap Bank, you can tell it's the Bbest follower in Japan.

■Luna Sea (1989~)

Bands called "Visual-kei" in 1990s such as Luna Sea, Glay, L'arc~en~Ciel and so on were influenced strongly by U2.

■SYRUP16G (1996~)

They declare they are influenced by U2.

■Bump Of Chicken (1996~)

The band has four members who are friends from the childhood, made the band and succeeded at the gig of high school festival――they're common points with U2.