Two bands share the same name:

(1) Off Course (オフコース) was a Japanese popular music band. Members were Kazumasa Oda, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Kazuhiko Matsuo, Hitoshi Shimizu, Jiro Oma. Their partnership was finally dissolved in 1989.

Mixing 's acoustic influence with traditional harmonies, Off Course were among the founding fathers of Japanese folk-rock. The band enjoyed a 25-year career run until finally dissolving in 1989, but its influence is still felt in later acts such as Yuzu or Kobukuro.

The group was formed in 1964 by a bunch of high schoolers including keyboardist Kazumasa Oda and guitarist Yashiro Suzuki who teamed up to play at a…