I doubt there really is a comprehensive genre for their entire discography without using an extremely umbrella genre. And to most of us listeners it doesnt really matter.

But there are people out there who are extremely genre sensetive. (I was once asked at a party, "so what sub-genre do you subscribe to?")

To these people what genre/genres do you usually give The Pillows?

I find myself doing alot of. "well they're sorta a japanese alternative, pop, rock band, but not like popular alternative rock we think of usually, sorta like classic garage rock with louder and faster guitars and uh... but also like... uhh..."

them:

so? which of these that I've heard used by review sites for them do you use? (check all that apply) or do you use something else?

I've mostly seen people call it "J-Rock" or "The Beatles, but Japanese".

Japanese fans tend to call them "powerpop," which I think sounds pretty cool. I usually just call them rock music.

J-rock is probably the most appropriate descriptor.

However, I don't see how they could be like the Beatles at all.

Check that, I call them "Japanese rock" when I mention them to people. "J-rock" sounds silly to me, as if it's implying that rock from Japan is its own genre as a result.

I usually say "powerpop" or "poprock", because that's what they are to me.

Japanese Rock with a pop sound, sometimes like the beatles

Well, technically, if you can categorize something in any way, you can create a new genre out of it. Therefore, rock from Japan can be a new genre. This also has precedent - for example, the British invasion. Since the locational discrepancy is much less important in that instance, as they speak the same language, I think it's more important that we preface rock from Japan as specifically Japanese rock or J-rock.

Many people think that only certain characteristics can define genres - but basically anything you can use to differentiate one selection of music from another can be used to differentiate genres.

We've definitely had the discussion before...a long time ago.

I never use the term J-Rock, because I think it has unfair connotations -- people have preconceived ideas as to what J-Rock is. These people generally have no experience with Japanese music, but still, the image remains.
The image includes: male singers who look like women. Goth. Cutesy shit. Schlocky anime opening and ending themes. Pretty much everything you might hate about an anime convention, that is what the term "J-Rock" says.
Need proof? Search Youtube for "J-Rock". Be appalled.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxzGlswJiJU

It's not fair. It SHOULD be a simple descriptor. The "J" means "Japan" and "Rock" means rock, just like American or British Rock.

To avoid the preconceived notions, I just use the term "Japanese Rock".
For me, the term encapsulates a broad spectrum. From the soul funk of Sambomaster, the raw, rough sound of The Back Horn, and even the deep crooning of a guy like Gackt. Love him or hate him.


From there, we can continue to classify a band like the pillows. Pop Rock is part of it. A little bit of Pop Punk in the days of Smile. Some people like the term "alternative" but I can't glean any valuable information out of that one. And as we all know, simple genre classification only goes so far. Just ask Mukai Shutoku or Ringo Shiina.

I mostly go with "rock/pop band from Japan" and then follow up with something about their early works, their most known efforts, and where they are now. It's not too wordy as long as you don't try to super-define the discography (TYMT had this kind of sound, and then PL had this kind of sound).

I try to avoid at all costs the "Beatles from Japan" or "Beatles of our time" comparisons. the pillows would need TOTAL mainstream penetration in U.S.A. before those claims could even be entertained, then most likely ultimately dismissed. I mean, honestly, that's an easy way to confuse someone and turn them off immediately. The Beatles comparison has a whole phenomena that the pillows can't touch, as there certainly hasn't been any PILLOWMANIA spreading throughout America.

Now I know you can make the subjective comparisons regarding versatility and playing styles and vocal stylings and rock energy, but I think an objective comparison will hit first like a brick wall in the minds of most if you try that route.

You - "dada dada the pillows bada bada reminds me of how/kinda like the beatles dada...
Person - "Dude, they can't be [i]like[/i] the beatles."

Let's look at a few basic assumptions:
1) the pillows can be adequately described as "power pop."
2) No one would ever consider describing the Beatles as "power pop."

Therefore:
the pillows are not comparable to the Beatles in respect to the music each band produces.

I can't really fit them into a genre. I just send people a video (usually kanojo wa kyou lol) and see what they think.

Japanese rock band... kinda Beatle-esque but modern.

I agree with Mare, it's best just to use "rock music". Too many genres are confusing. J-rock is ok too, I guess, but I tend to stay away from that because I don't see much of a difference in rock here and in Japan, except for the language. This is the case especially with the pillows.

Language is a pretty big difference, Fish.