ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK is a Japanese rock group from Tokyo, formed in 2005. Their music ranges across alternative rock, j-rock, post-hardcore, rock, emo and pop punk, and they are known for combining Japanese and English-language material in later releases.

Formation and members

The band begins when Toru Yamashita wants to start a rock group and recruits his childhood friend Ryota Kohama, guitarist Alexander Reimon Onizawa, and drummer Yu Koyanagi. Vocalist Takahiro Moriuchi, known as Taka, joins after Toru hears him sing in a cover band. The name comes from “one o’clock”, the time the members use to rehearse at weekends, with the spelling shaped by Japanese pronunciation. The band also uses “10969” as a reading of its name; this becomes the name of its own management agency.

The current core line-up is Taka on vocals, Toru on guitar and backing vocals, Ryota on bass, and Tomoya Kanki on drums. Koyanagi leaves in 2006 and Tomoya joins that year, becoming an official member when the band debuts in 2007. Alex leaves in 2009, after which Toru takes over lead guitar duties. Former members also include Yu Koyanagi and Alexander Onizawa.

Early releases and Japanese breakthrough

The band issues a self-produced demo, Do You Know A Christmas?, in 2005, followed by the EPs ONE OK ROCK and KEEP IT REAL in 2006. After signing with Amuse, they make their debut single, Naihishinsho, which reaches No. 48 on the Oricon chart. Follow-up singles Yume Yume and Et Cetera also chart, and the debut album Zeitakubyō follows in 2007.

The band then releases Beam of Light in 2008 and Kanjou Effect later the same year. Their early material reflects influences from Western rock, and the band later says it does not treat Beam of Light as a standard album in the same way as its other releases.

Line-up change and wider recognition

After Alex’s arrest in 2009, the band continues as a four-piece. In 2010 they release Kanzen Kankaku Dreamer, which reaches No. 9 on the Oricon singles chart, and the album Niche Syndrome, which peaks at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Albums Sales chart. They tour widely in Japan and headline major festivals including Rock in Japan Festival and Summer Sonic Festival. They also support acts such as Pay Money to My Pain, The Hiatus and Totalfat.

In 2011 they release Answer is Near, Re:make/No Scared and the album Zankyo Reference. The album tour ends with sold-out concerts at Yokohama Arena. “No Scared” serves as the main theme for Black Rock Shooter: The Game.

International release strategy and overseas touring

The single The Beginning is used for the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film and becomes a major step in the band’s international profile. After that success, the group begins releasing later albums in both Japanese-English and fully English versions, with different track selections across editions. Their 2012 touring expands beyond Asia, and they continue to appear at large festivals in Japan and abroad.

Jinsei×Boku= arrives in 2013, followed by European dates and first US shows in 2014, including their first festival appearance outside Asia at Rock on the Range. The concert film Fool Cool Rock documents part of this period. That year they also release Mighty Long Fall/Decision, and “Heartache” appears on another Rurouni Kenshin soundtrack. They play a stadium show at Yokohama Stadium in front of 60,000 people.

Albums from 35xxxv to Luxury Disease

35xxxv is released in 2015 and becomes the band’s first album to reach No. 1 on the Oricon album chart. It also enters Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums, Independent Albums, Hard Rock Albums and World Albums charts in the US. The band signs with Warner Bros. Records in 2015 and reissues the album in a deluxe English-language edition. Around this period they tour extensively in North America, Europe, Asia and Japan.

Ambitions follows in 2017 in Japanese and English editions, with guest appearances from Avril Lavigne, Alex Gaskarth and 5 Seconds of Summer. The album tops the Oricon album chart and includes the singles We Are and Skyfall. In 2018 they release Change and in 2019 Stand Out Fit In, Wasted Nights and Eye of the Storm, the latter moving towards a more electronic and pop-oriented sound. Wasted Nights appears in the film Kingdom, while “In the Stars” features Kiiara and is used for Fortuna’s Eye.

Luxury Disease is released in 2022 and combines a more rock-focused approach with modern pop-rock. Singles and soundtrack songs around this period include Save Yourself, Let Me Let You Go, Vandalize, Renegades, Broken Heart of Gold, Wonder and Taking Off.

Recent activity

The band leaves Amuse in 2021 and sets up its own management company, 10969 Inc. It also releases the documentary Flip a Coin on Netflix and records livestreamed performances during and after the COVID-19 period, including Field of Wonder and Day to Night Acoustic Session. In 2023 and 2024 it continues with new singles, soundtrack work and large tours, including joint dates with Muse and a show with My First Story at Tokyo Dome.

The band’s eleventh studio album is titled Detox.

Awards and collaborators

ONE OK ROCK wins the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Award for Eastern Breakthrough Male Band in 2016, Rock Sound Awards for Best International Band in 2017 and Best Live Performance in 2018, and receives Alternative Press Music Award nominations for Best International Band and Best Breakthrough Band. Collaborators and guests across the catalogue include Avril Lavigne, Alex Gaskarth, 5 Seconds of Summer, Kiiara, Ed Sheeran, Coldrain’s Masato Hayakawa and SiM’s MAH.

Influences

The band cites Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Good Charlotte, Ellegarden and The Used among its influences, and its songs and albums reflect a shift from early anger and frustration towards broader social and political themes.