Mentai Rock

Mentai Rock is the name given to the collection of Japanese artists who gained national popularity during the late 1970s. Continuing through the early 1980s, the collective had little in common other than their origin - the Hakata ward of Fukuoka City. The phrase, Mentai Rock, was derived from the name of a local delicacy, mentaiko, made from roe. Many believed that their origin also had a common influence on the overall sound, despite the wide variety of genres represented.

Mentai Rockers

• SONHOUSE
• Sheena & the Rokkets
• The Roosters(z)
• The Rockers
• A.R.B.
• The Mods
• 山部善次郎(YAMAZEN)
• Accidents
• Modern Dollz
• HEATWAVE
• Zi:LiE-YA
• Rock'n'Roll Gypsies

Post-Mentai Rockers

• Blankey Jet City
• Thee Michelle Gun Elephant
• Shiina Ringo
• Group Tamashi
• Number Girl
• Mo'some Tonebender
• Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
• Katteni-Shiyagare
• King Brothers
• Gyogun Rend's
• The Neatbeats
• Ajico
• Losalios
• Rosso
• Zazen Boys
• Radio Caroline

External links

Mentai Rock in its various forms is not well documented in English. Occasional articles appear in the local press, so it's worth checking out Fukuoka Now or Japanzine if you are interested in reading more.

• Article on the history of the Fukuoka Live Scene