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Hump Back (Japanese band)

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Hump Back
OriginHigashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan
GenresRock
Years active2009–present
Labels
  • Well Bucket
  • VAP
  • VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōshitsu
MembersMomoko Hayashi
Pika
Misaki
Past membersMegu
Yukkii
373
Kanna
Websitewww.humpbackofficial.com

Hump Back (Japanese: ハンプバック, Hepburn: Hampubakku) is a Japanese all-female rock band formed in Higashiōsaka, Osaka in 2009.[1][2] Lead vocalist and guitarist Momoko Hayashi has been the only constant member, with bassist Pika and drummer Misaki completing the lineup since 2016.

Outline

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Momoko Hayashi, an original member and the founder of the band and the songwriter of all songs, plays as the lead vocal and a lead guitar.[1][2] Pika on chorus and bass guitar and Misaki on chorus and drums.[1][2] Momoko Hayashi sings also solo on the acoustic guitar.

After forming in 2009 by Momoko Hayashi and her friends as high school students, influenced by Chatmonchy, the band continued its activities, despite a lot of difficulties like member changes.[1][2][3] After the present members joined, the band got its major debut in 2018 and the major debut Single CD Haikei shonen yo has reached number 13 on the Weekly Oricon Album Charts (prestigious Japanese music market popularity ranking) and other following released CDs also ranked highly on the Weekly charts.[4][5]

The songs, created by Momoko Hayashi, are mainly about people's happiness and pains in daily life, especially in adolescence, by showing messages of affection with splendid sounds.[6][4] Main characters in her lyrics came from her own experiences and deliberately she often wrote them from a man(boy)’s point of view (cross gender performance).[7]

Powerful beats of the band's sounds could remind some of old Punk rock music like Sex Pistols. However, Hump Back's music has nothing to do with anti-establishment mind or destructive thoughts.[4] The members of Hump Back have respect to anyone supporting the band and many songs have messages for encouraging the youth with beautiful melodies.[3][4]

Three members built great teamwork and they want to continue their music for a life.[8]

History

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In 2009, Hump Back was formed mainly by Momoko Hayashi as a high school club. At that time, it played songs of Chatmonchy.[4][3][7] The reason why "Hump Back" was chosen as the name of the band as leader Momoko Hayashi, a cat lover, wanted to pick a word indirectly related to cats. By chance she saw the word "humpback", and its meaning in Japanese (Nekoze: a back like cats). Hump Back uses a humpback whale logo for their merchandise.[9]

In 2012, Hump Back took part in a rock music competition for the teens, called Senko Riot where the band advanced to the semi-final competition held in Osaka.[10][11] In August 2012, the first EP say good bye from an indie label was released.

From 2013 to 2015, frequent member changes happened and the band faced many difficulties. In April 2013, a member, Yukki, left. In June, Minami who played as a supporting member joined as a permanent member. But another member, Megu, left and the following year Setsuko started to play as a supporting member. In January 2015, the last live event for Minami was held and it also became the last stage for Setsuko. Hayashi alone remained and continued to play solo.[12] In April, new EP Kaeri michi was released at only one CD shop in Osaka.[13] Kanna (in April) and Pika (in May) joined and the band restarted. After Kanna left in November 2015, Misaki became a member in February 2016 and all the present members (Hayashi, Pika and Misaki) fixed.[14][4] In August, Hump Back belonged to an indie label called Well Bucket Records and in December under the label it released EP Yoru ni nattara which was the first one on sale throughout Japan.[15][16]

In November 2017, EP hanamuke and EP Keshigomu kashite (Hayashi's solo performance on the acoustic guitar) were on sale.[17]

From 2017, Hump Back went on a live tour throughout Japan every year.

In June 2018, from a major label VAP, Single Haikei shonen yo was released[18][19]

In 2019, new Hump Back's label, called Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu was established in VAP.[20] and in July, CD Album Ningen nanosa(Best ranking was number 6 in Weekly Oricon) was on sale from the label.[6] Hump Back released CD Album Achatter(Best ranking : number 7) in 2021.[21] and EP Age of Love(Best ranking : number 12) in 2022[22]

In May 2023, the group held a concert called “Our Wedding Ceremony (Uchiage Hiroen)” at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, as each member married recently. Momoko Hayashi married in October 2022,[23] Misaki in November 2022 and Pika in July 2020.[24] It was an opportunity to announce their marriage and to be celebrated by the fans.[8] At the concert, they showed their preparedness for sustainable activities of their music for a life, though they have to spare the time for upcoming life events like childrearing,[25] and their hope to communicate with fans through their music and live events, up until now and from now on.[8]

In May, 2024, it was announced that all three members had given birth after they stopped live events in July 2023, due to their pregnancy.[26]

Members

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Current members

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  • Momoko Hayashi (林 萌々子) – lead vocals, guitar (2009–present)
  • Pika (ぴか) – bass, backing vocals (2015–present)
  • Misaki (美咲) – drums, backing vocals (2016–present)

Former members

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  • Megu (めぐ) – bass, backing vocals (2009–2013)
  • Yukkii (ゆっきー) – drums (2009–2013)
  • 373 – drums (2013–2015)
  • Setsuko (せつこ) – support bass (2014–2015)
  • Kanna (カンナ) – drums, backing vocals (2015)

Discography

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Single CDs

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Released Date Title Label Best Ranking Remarks
1 June 20, 2018 Haikei shonen yo VAP 13 "Haikei shonen yo", "Night Theater", "Ikiteiku" and "Kujira" are on CD Album Ningen nanosa
2 December 5, 2018 Namida no yukue
3 August 19, 2020 Teen age sunset VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu 12 "Senko" is on CD Album Achatter
4 June 21, 2023 tour/Linger VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu 14 "tour" was released as a PR song for AOYAMA Trading Co.(Japan's largest clothing retailer).

CD Albums

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Released Date Title Songwriter Arrangement Label Best Ranking
1 July 17, 2019 Ningen nanosa Momoko Hayashi Hump Back VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu 6
2 August 4, 2021 ACHATTER Momoko Hayashi, Pika Hump Back 7

EPs

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Released Date Title Songwriter Arrangement Label Best Ranking
1 August 10, 2022 AGE OF LOVE Momoko Hayashi, Pika Hump Back VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu 12
Released date Title Songwriter Arrangement Label Best Ranking
1 December 7, 2016 Yoru ni nattara Momoko Hayashi Hump Back Well Bucket 67
2 November 22, 2017 hanamuke Momoko Hayashi Hump Back 17

DVDs

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Released date Title Label Best Ranking
1 March 24, 2021 At Osaka Castle Hall, Hump Back Concert Tour "Haikei Shonen Shojo Tachi Yo" Vap / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu 10
2 March 30, 2022 Hump Back pre. "ACHATTER Tour" 2021.11.28 at NIPPON BUDOKAN 9
3 November 22, 2023 Hump Back pre.“Uchiage Hiroen”LIVE at NIPPON BUDOKAN [27] 5 (in Music DVDs)

CDs from Indies' Label

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Released date Title Songwriter Remarks
Aug. 1, 2012 say good bye Momoko Hayashi
December 22, 2013 Aoi hitomi Momoko Hayashi
April 1, 2015 Kaeri michi Momoko Hayashi Sold only at a single CD shop
July 22, 2015 Junanasai Momoko Hayashi

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "(English) Hump Back". Japan Jams. World press. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "(Japanese)Hump Back". Ongaku Natalie. Natasha. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "(English) Hump Back Ten years after their formation". Framu. Framu.media. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Why does Hump Back describe people's daily life in their songs? Momoko Hayashi believes in people's kindness" (Interview). CINRA. August 31, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "Hump Back's works". Oricon News. Oricon. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "(English) Ningen nanosa by Hump Back(Album review)". Omunibasu. Omnibas. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "DAM in December D-PUSH! Aetists、Hump Back said 'We never aim at much success when we create songs, sing and perform. But, not to aim at much is our advantage" (Interview). Japan music network. December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c "Hump Back's concert called"Our Wedding Ceremony (Uchiage Hiroen)"at Nippon Budokan presented their preparedness for the future". rockin’on. rockin’on group. May 7, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "The reason why the name of the band is Hump Back". Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  10. ^ "Senko Riot 2012". tfm.co.jp. FM Tokyo. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  11. ^ "Senko Riot 2012 the3rd LIVE Candidates'performance☆4DAYS at Osaka". tfm.co.jp. FM Tokyo. July 11, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  12. ^ "Profile of Momoko Hayashi". CDJournal. Ongaku shuppan sha. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "Kaerimich". MY LIFE(Hayashi's blog). March 19, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  14. ^ 美咲 (February 2, 2019). "Misaki joined at Feb 2, 2016". Misaki Hump Back (@hump_misa). Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Instagram.
  15. ^ "Hump 'Back, Girl's band in Osaka, decides to release throughout Japan". Music Natalie. Natasha. August 8, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  16. ^ "Hump Back's first CD on sale throughout Japan 'Please listen to this while waiting for the night coming'". Music Natalie. Natasha. October 14, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  17. ^ "Momoko Hayashi's solo performance CD 'Keshigomu kashite'". Music Natalie. Natasha. April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  18. ^ Mr. Sakai (June 19, 2018). "Hump Back's CD Haikei Shonen yo presents all songs about adolescent". Mikiki. Tower record. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  19. ^ "Hump Back、release Single CD Haikei shonen yo in June". Music Natalie. Natasha. April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  20. ^ "Hump Back's first CD album、in VAP, new label Hayashi ongaku kyositsu launched". Music Natalie. Natasha. May 16, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  21. ^ "Hump Back's new CD album ACHATTER on sale August 4". Tower Records. June 5, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  22. ^ "Hump Back/AGE OF LOVE". Tower Records. June 15, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  23. ^ "Hump Back, Momoko Hayashi got married to Kenta Gima of Rock band "I was born"". Music Natalie. Natasha. December 24, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  24. ^ "Pika, Hump Back, reporting 'Marriage' 'I enjoy Hump Back and my private life'". Music Natalie. Natasha. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  25. ^ "Hump Back announces one member's pregnancy and the temporary ceasing of band activities". Music Natalie. Natasha. July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  26. ^ https://natalie.mu/music/news/573703
  27. ^ “Uchiage Hiroen”literally means “Drinking wedding party”in Japanese. That live concert was the time to celebrate three members' marriage by the audience(fans) and the largest number of their songs were performed by Hump Back at the stage.
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