Okay, I'll admit it... I really have no familiarity with Japanese bands other than the pillows. What are some that I should check out? Here's what I know I don't particularly care for: punk, glam metal (or "visual kei", whatever you call it), etc. Stuff with complex musicianship, guitar solos, etc. is what I really want.

[quote="Thinliine"]complex musicianship[/quote]
the band apart.

Going Steady and Ging Nang Boyz definately, even you don't think punk is appealing at all you should definately check them out.

SPARTA LOCALS is also worth your time since most claim they sound similiar to the Pillows in terms of style.

Zazen Boys is also another band you should check out if funk interests you. I seriously can't find anything bad about that band (but I haven't listen to Zazen Boys III or Himitsu Girl yet.)

Number Girl is also great for lead guitar (I think.) It's a nice collecton to listen to once in a while, but you'll find Zazen Boys more listenable (they're similiar by lead singer.)

Go on Soulseek in 'the pillows' room and someone will hook you up. Unfortunately, I just recently backed up my files so it would be a hassle for me to find the right CD to get the music to you. Sorry.

D:

EDIT: Also Quruli (see sig).

Other than the pillows...

#1: Sambomaster. Take the major-key joy of the pillows, but add more volume, energy, and flat-out enthusiasm. No, I don't put this band higher than the pillows - but honestly, Sambomaster is one of the most energetic bands I've ever heard.

This is due to a few things:
-Yamaguchi Takeshi, the guitarist/vocalist, sings his goddamn heart out.
-The bassist and drummer are listed also as "chorus" in the CD notes for good reason. They sing their hearts out as well, and it just...well, the entirety just makes you feel really good inside.

See if this interests you:
Sekai no Sore wa Ai to Yobundaze: http://youtube.com/watch?v=skZHd-u-mc8
Seishun Kyosokyoku:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mcO1AjrsmDQ

#2 Sparta Locals
Sparta Locals are what happens when each member of the band is doing something unique and interesting.
Listen for: interesting guitar lines, excellent bass, cat-like vocals.

Tokyo Ballerina: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Dky6dgpI1X4

#3 Zazen Boys
I admit it took a little bit of effort to get into Zazen Boys. By no means was this a first-time "Oh wow, I love this!" type of deal. Mukai Shutoku is just, in general, [i]way out there[/i], but if you give this band a chance, you may really enjoy them. The beats are strange, the guitars are sharp, the vocals are harsh, and the drums are incredibly precise. Even their aimless dischordant noodling is interesting.

Word of advice: Don't start with their third album, Zazen Boys III (it's a bit TOO strange and...not really cohesive). A good bet is Zazen Boys II and Himitsu Girl's Top Secret to start you off.

Crazy Days Crazy Feeling: http://youtube.com/watch?v=TRoZuo59Aro
Friday Night: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9uqom8R-O_4

Yeah. Slsk is pretty essential for your japanese music endeavors (unless you're obscenely rich or moral). I know part of the reason I'm so into Sparta Locals, Sambomaster, and a bunch of other bands now is because, well...I've jacked a lot of shit from tehz, and the other regulars.

I'll let the others tell you about Number Girl.

and although they don't really have coplex music and crazy crazy awesome guitar solos, i feel compelled to add Go!Go!7188 to this list...i usually hate female vocalists, but the song Ruriiro definitely is an exception to the rule.

Theres the band loudness for musicianship, but its basically just shredding like a normal metal band. All the other "skilled" guitarists tend to be VK(when talking about shredding).
Number Girl/Zazen Boys is definately the better listen, but their music is probably easier (for guitar) if you ever manage to find out how to play it.
But still, it takes brilliance to come up with some stuff the Zazen Boys play, even though its easy.

Thanks for the handoff, rhino.

Number Girl's sound can be described as shredding guitar rock with elements of hard rock and surf, to heavy experimental rock in the latter years of their existence.
The band's music is very similar to the work of Sonic Youth because their music relies heavily on altenate tuning and guitar effects. Because of this their sound can range from fun and energetic to dark and dreary (hence the name of their third full length, Sappukei, which means dreary in japanese).
The great thing about number girl is that any music fan is doing themselves an injustice by only listening to the studio recorded albums, as Number Girl was known to be one of the best live bands of their time. Even after their demise, a number of live dvds and and best of collections have been released.
And if you can't seem to enjoy Number Girl, you can still try the former band members' current work. They include:
toddle
the bloodthirsty butchers
Spiral Chord
Sloth Love Chunks
Zazen Boys
Vola & The Oriental Machine

[quote="hide the Shuffle"]Theres the band loudness for musicianship, but its basically just shredding like a normal metal band. All the other "skilled" guitarists tend to be VK(when talking about shredding).
Number Girl/Zazen Boys is definately the better listen, but their music is probably easier (for guitar) if you ever manage to find out how to play it.
But still, it takes brilliance to come up with some stuff the Zazen Boys play, even though its easy.[/quote]

Number Girl tabs are very hard to make simply because 3/4 of the time Mukai and Tabuchi are using alternate tunings. If you have the patience to experiment with chords using a capo, be my guest. It's sometimes hard to make out the chords he's playing because Mukai often plays really high on the fingerboard.

Shredding isn't what I'm looking for; guitar parts can be very complex without shredding.

From what I've listened to of Number Girl and Quruli, I like. Unfortunately, I'm on a Mac, so I don't think Soulseek is going to work. I do have Limewire, but it isn't finding much.

No Shred? Great. All the bands here are pretty good then.

[quote="skoolyardpuck"]
Number Girl tabs are very hard to make simply because 3/4 of the time Mukai and Tabuchi are using alternate tunings. If you have the patience to experiment with chords using a capo, be my guest. It's sometimes hard to make out the chords he's playing because Mukai often plays really high on the fingerboard.[/quote]

Yeah, good point. I noticed that when i was trying to tab Num Ami Dabutz and when i saw a Crazy Days tab. Theres really weird inversions for some chords.

[quote="Thinliine"]I'm on a Mac.[/quote]

Peace be to you, brother.

[url]http://solarseek.sourceforge.net/[/url]

[quote="GoldenRhino"]Other than the pillows...

#1: Sambomaster. Take the major-key joy of the pillows, but add more volume, energy, and flat-out enthusiasm. No, I don't put this band higher than the pillows - but honestly, Sambomaster is one of the most energetic bands I've ever heard.

This is due to a few things:
-Yamaguchi Takeshi, the guitarist/vocalist, sings his goddamn heart out.
-The bassist and drummer are listed also as "chorus" in the CD notes for good reason. They sing their hearts out as well, and it just...well, the entirety just makes you feel really good inside.

See if this interests you:
Sekai no Sore wa Ai to Yobundaze: http://youtube.com/watch?v=skZHd-u-mc8
Seishun Kyosokyoku:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mcO1AjrsmDQ

[/quote]

i just listened to sambomaster.....haha i love thier music. its awesome. nice recomendation. i think i'll look into them.

Yessss.

noodles
Yo-King
Nino Trinca

From what I've heard, Nino Trinca seems appealing. Plus, they have Kashima.