Here's a selection of a dozen Japanese bands and another dozen from the US.

Europe were extremely dominant during the 70's, but these bands are probably part of the two most vibrant scenes of the last 20 years. I only choose bands I either love or atleast like to some extent. So whose got the best band among the slightly experimental of newer prog?


Edited by Rocktopus - March 25 2008 at 18:47

Dave Kerman  & Tatsuya Toshida

A brilliant drummer from each place. both more of less responsible for a scene or two on their own:

I'm decided I'm actually gonna honour them with an emoticon each (and maybe an own poll some other time). They sure deserve it:

Edited by Rocktopus - March 21 2008 at 11:57

What a great bunch of bands.  Both have amazing scenes.  I was into the Japanese scenes before the US (particularly because of my love of Zeuhl, partially because I worked in Japan, and certain Japanese bands really picked up that ball).  Koenjihyakkei was the one that started my love affair with Japanese prog (particularly Angherr Shisppa).  Since then I got into other avant-styles from Japan.

More recently I started to deeply explore US avant rock.  U Totem's debut, in particular,   touched me...  That is a sublime album, and led to much more music.  I've listened to that so many times since I got it. I just love it.  I will vote for that band because of the significant effect it had on me, but there are a great many wonderful bands listed.  I won't say which country has the better scene, since they both have terrific bands.


Edited by Logan - March 21 2008 at 13:16

tough choice for me between The Red Masque and Acid Mothers Temple; I finally decided for The Red Masque

Happy Family.. WOW!!! Truly amazing, Toscco..

So far:

US: 7
Japan: 6

The bands I'm craziest about right now are After Dinner and Non-Credo. Can't decide. Wish they both had more albums.

The only one of those bands that I actually have is Mr. Bungle. I really enjoy it and Mike Patton's voice is.....unique........but otherwise it's an amazing band.

I don't know much/anything about the rest of the bands, so sorry I don't have the kind of input you're probably looking for.

I've only heard a few of these bands but I really like Koenjihyakkei so they get my vote. 

^Tangentially moving from your comment...

Comfort food... it is common for people to prefer to traverse the known to the unknown, the familiar to the unfamiliar, that which conforms to certain expectations rather than challenges us.  It's not a progressive attitude to music, but at least when it comes to buying albums, quite understandable.  The music here is going to be generally less accessible to mainstream proggers, but man is the music rewarding.  Worth the effort.  Many look for instant gratification, and if something is different for us, it's going to take longer to enjoy, and one may never enjoy it.  I wouldn't expect others to like the music I like anymore than I would expect myself to like their music.  If I can't take Spock's Beard, why would I expect them to enjoy Boredoms?  And nothing wrong with enjoying regressive rock even if it is anathema (and contradictory) in a way to progressive music.  That said, I do think there's music here for just about every progger.  I wouldn't expect people to buy the albums without sampling first.  I'd suggest that people do searches to check bands out at myspace since there's a lot of music there to experience.

I have tended to seek out music that already conforms to my taste rather than trying to expand it.  A series of building blocks/ stepping stones leads one to the new.  But sure people like formulaic music when it conforms to formulas one already likes, and deciphering it/ understanding it is easy.. It's not just about comfort food, it's about comfort fast food.

The examples of the Japanese scenes here makes me vote for them without hesitation, though the USA music is excellent as well, there ares some bands such as Koenjihyakkei, Le Silo or Happy Family which makes difference

The last option is awesome by the way