As it’s currently dead cool to use English in brand names, school textbooks and just about everywhere else, it’s no surprise that a lot of bands in Japan have English names. Following on from this, it is of course no surprise that there are some pretty crazy ones out there.

So I thought I would treat everyone to an exciting game of ‘Guess the Japanese Band Name’. Using my amazing art skills, I’ll illustrate the band name. If you can guess them, you’re a winner and everyone will love you and talk about you for ages. I’ll give you a hint: All five of the bands have pretty daft names, so don’t guess anything too logical or obvious.

So here’s a simple example. Apologies for the artwork in advance, but I was using my laptop trackpad, and coupled with my terrible art ability that made for some pretty terrible drawings. Again, I’m truly sorry.

Example

I wonder what it could be!
Radiohead. A man with a radio for a head. I warned you the art was bad.

Ok, so let’s get moving then. There are five bands, see if you can guess them all! Answers will come after the last image.

Probably should see a doctor about this one.

Aaaah! A ghost! (Hint: It’s not meant to be a ghost)

Good grief it’s coming straight for us!

Another drug related one? When did this site become a veritable opium den?!

Awwwwwww!

Here are the answers;

1. Bump Of Chicken. Very successful pop/rock group from Chiba. They’ve been going since 1994, and released a new album Present From You in July this year.
I’m aware that doesn’t look like a chicken. I’m also aware whoever’s arm this is has the most amazingly huge elbow ever seen.

2. Doping Panda. Yes, there’s really a band called Doping Panda. They’re a rock band signed to the same label as Orange Range & UVERworld, and make up a part of a pretty sizable and growing new rock scene in Japan.
Yes, that’s meant to be a Panda. No I don’t want to talk about it.

3. Mr. Children. One of the uber-famous bands of Japan, these guys pump out album after album and basically always hit the top of the charts. Most of their stuff is pretty forgettable, but しるし is a pretty sweet song and a Karaoke classic. (Video here)
Drawing a man made out of children is difficult.

4. Acid Mother’s Temple of course! Their full name is actually ‘Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO’, but I don’t know what a Paraiso is so I couldn’t draw it. They’re a psychedelic band, whatever that means, and they formed in 1995.
You are forgiven if you guessed ‘Paris Hilton’s Drug Tent’

5. Buffalo Daughter, a Japanese rock band formed in 1993. They were at one point on the Beastie Boys’ record label, which is pretty cool.
Those animals are both supposed to be buffalo. I’m not sure how you were meant to tell the baby one was a girl though.

So there you go! How many did you get? If you got 0, well played. If you got 1-5 correct, I’d be worried about your mental health. I know that’s rich coming from someone who just drew those things, but if I’d only had a drawing tablet they would have been masterpieces…

Part two to follow in the near far future!

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