I thought it would be fun to share your favorite contemporary bands that use traditional Japanse instruments - not limited to just the Shamisen. Sharing your favorite song(s) from the group would be fun too. These are some of mine:
http://youtu.be/x_CzD0GBD-4
Yoshida Brothers - Rising
Yoshida Brothers - Nightmare Revisited - Nabbed
Rin’ - Sakura Sakura
http://youtu.be/zi24j5APsHY
AAA - featuring Rin’ - Samurai Heart
I’m sure the Yoshida Brothers are well known by Shamisenites already, I love their blend of rock and Shamisen, and their energy. Rin’ is one of my all time favorites, I love the variety of traditional instruments they use and the variety of music they do too.