Hump Back

{{Short description|Japanese rock band}}

{{use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Hump Back

| image =

| landscape =

| caption =

| background = group_or_band

| origin = Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan

| genre = Rock

| years_active = 2009–present

| label = {{Plainlist|

  • Well Bucket
  • VAP
  • VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōshitsu}}

| website = {{URL|https://www.humpbackofficial.com/}}

| current_members = Momoko Hayashi
Pika
Misaki

| past_members = Megu
Yukkii
373
Kanna

}}

{{Nihongo|Hump Back|ハンプバック|Hampubakku|lead=yes}} is a Japanese all-female rock band formed in Higashiōsaka, Osaka in 2009.{{Cite web |url= https://musicofjapanblog.wordpress.com/2019/10/06/hump-back/|title=(English) Hump Back|website=Japan Jams |publisher=World press |accessdate=2023-04-13}}{{Cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/artist/102307 |title=(Japanese)Hump Back|website=Ongaku Natalie |publisher=Natasha|accessdate=2023-04-11}} Lead vocalist and guitarist Momoko Hayashi has been the only constant member, with bassist Pika and drummer Misaki completing the lineup since 2016.

Outline

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. Pika on chorus and bass guitar and Misaki on chorus and drums. 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.{{Cite web |url= https://media.framu.world/en/artists/humpback|title=(English) Hump Back Ten years after their formation|website=Framu|publisher=Framu.media |accessdate=2023-04-13}} 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.{{Cite interview |title=Why does Hump Back describe people's daily life in their songs? Momoko Hayashi believes in people's kindness. |url=https://www.cinra.net/article/interview-201908-humpback_yjmdc |publisher=CINRA |date=2019-08-31 |accessdate=2022-04-01}}{{Cite web |title=Hump Back's works |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/645200/products/ |website=Oricon News |publisher=Oricon |accessdate=2022-04-03}}

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.{{Cite web |url= https://omunibasu.blog/2021/07/23/ningen-nanosa-by-hump-back-album-review/

|title=(English) Ningen nanosa by Hump Back(Album review)|website=Omunibasu|publisher=Omnibas |accessdate=2023-04-13}} 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).{{Cite interview |title=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 |url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000149289#|publisher=Japan music network |date=2017-12-01 |accessdate=2017-12-24 }}

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. The members of Hump Back have respect to anyone supporting the band and many songs have messages for encouraging the youth with beautiful melodies.

Three members built great teamwork and they want to continue their music for a life.{{Cite news|url=https://rockinon.com/blog/japan/206256|title=Hump Back’s concert called"Our Wedding Ceremony (Uchiage Hiroen)"at Nippon Budokan presented their preparedness for the future|newspaper=rockin’on |publisher=rockin’on group|date=2023-05-07|accessdate=2023-06-22}}

History

In 2009, Hump Back was formed mainly by Momoko Hayashi as a high school club. At that time, it played songs of Chatmonchy. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.libre-sound.com/for-beginner-songs/origin-of-hump-back-bands-name|title=The reason why the name of the band is Hump Back |accessdate=2023-04-11}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Senko Riot 2012 |url=https://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/sp/template/event/riot12/artist/osaka/HMB.html |website=tfm.co.jp |publisher=FM Tokyo |accessdate=2022-04-01}}{{Cite web |title=Senko Riot 2012 the3rd LIVE Candidates'performance☆4DAYS at Osaka |url=https://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/staff/onair/2012/0711/index.html |website=tfm.co.jp |publisher=FM Tokyo |date=2012-07-11 |accessdate=2022-04-01}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Profile of Momoko Hayashi |url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/a/hayashi-momoko/229619 |website=CDJournal |publisher=Ongaku shuppan sha|accessdate=2022-04-01 }} In April, new EP Kaeri michi was released at only one CD shop in Osaka.{{Cite web |title=Kaerimich |url=https://ameblo.jp/mmk214hb/entry-12003306783.html |website=MY LIFE(Hayashi's blog) |date=2015-03-19 |accessdate=2022-04-01 }} 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.{{Cite web |author=美咲 |title=Misaki joined at Feb 2, 2016|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BtYfYPqli0r/ |website=Misaki Hump Back (@hump_misa) |via=Instagram |date=2019-02-02 |accessdate=2022-04-01 }}

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.{{Cite web |title=Hump 'Back, Girl's band in Osaka, decides to release throughout Japan|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/197440 |website=Music Natalie |publisher=Natasha |date=2016-08-08 |accessdate=2022-04-01 }}{{Cite web |title=Hump Back's first CD on sale throughout Japan 'Please listen to this while waiting for the night coming' |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/205385 |website=Music Natalie |publisher=Natasha |date=2016-10-14 |accessdate=2022-04-01 }}

In November 2017, EP hanamuke and EP Keshigomu kashite (Hayashi's solo performance on the acoustic guitar) were on sale.{{Cite web |title=Momoko Hayashi's solo performance CD 'Keshigomu kashite' |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/252489 |website=Music Natalie |publisher=Natasha |date=2022-04-03 |accessdate=2022-04-03 }}

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{{Cite web |author=Mr. Sakai |title=Hump Back's CD Haikei Shonen yo presents all songs about adolescent |url=https://mikiki.tokyo.jp/articles/-/18169 |website=Mikiki |publisher=Tower record |date=2018-06-19 |accessdate=2022-04-01 }}{{Cite web |title=Hump Back、release Single CD Haikei shonen yo in June |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/279179 |website=Music Natalie |publisher=Natasha|date=2018-04-22 |accessdate=2022-04-01 }}

In 2019, new Hump Back's label, called Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu was established in VAP.{{Cite web |title=Hump Back's first CD album、in VAP, new label Hayashi ongaku kyositsu launched |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/331665 |website=Music Natalie|publisher=Natasha|date=2019-05-16 |accessdate=2022-04-01 }} and in July, CD Album Ningen nanosa(Best ranking was number 6 in Weekly Oricon) was on sale from the label. Hump Back released CD Album Achatter(Best ranking : number 7) in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Hump Back's new CD album ACHATTER on sale August 4|url=https://tower.jp/article/feature_item/2021/06/05/0702 |publisher=Tower Records |date=2021-06-05 |accessdate=2023-04-10 }} and EP Age of Love(Best ranking : number 12) in 2022{{Cite web |title=Hump Back/AGE OF LOVE|url=https://tower.jp/item/5462929/AGE-OF-LOVE |publisher=Tower Records |date=2022-06-15 |accessdate=2023-04-10 }}

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,{{Cite news|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/506605|title=Hump Back, Momoko Hayashi got married to Kenta Gima of Rock band "I was born" |newspaper=Music Natalie|publisher=Natasha |date=2022-12-24|accessdate=2022-12-30}} Misaki in November 2022 and Pika in July 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/386680|title=Pika, Hump Back, reporting 'Marriage' 'I enjoy Hump Back and my private life' |accessdate=2021-10-20|website=Music Natalie |publisher=Natasha}} It was an opportunity to announce their marriage and to be celebrated by the fans. 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,{{Cite web |title=Hump Back announces one member's pregnancy and the temporary ceasing of band activities |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/531389 |website=Music Natalie |publisher=Natasha|date=2023-07-03 |accessdate=2023-07-03 }} and their hope to communicate with fans through their music and live events, up until now and from now on.

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.https://natalie.mu/music/news/573703

Members

= Current members =

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

= Former members =

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

Discography

= Single CDs =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! !! Released Date!! Title !! Label!!Best Ranking!! Remarks

1

| June 20, 2018

| Haikei shonen yo

| rowspan="2"|VAP

| rowspan="2"|13

| rowspan="2"|"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 =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! !! Released Date!! Title !! Songwriter !! Arrangement !! Label!! Best Ranking

1

|July 17, 2019

| Ningen nanosa

| Momoko Hayashi

| Hump Back

| rowspan="3"|VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu

| 6

2

|August 4, 2021

| ACHATTER

| Momoko Hayashi, Pika

| Hump Back

| 7

3

|March 26, 2025

| Hump Back

| Momoko Hayashi, GIMA☆KENTA of "I Was Born"

| Hump Back

| 16

= EPs =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Released DateTitleSongwriterArrangementLabelBest Ranking
1

|August 10, 2022

| AGE OF LOVE

| Momoko Hayashi, Pika

| Hump Back

|VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu

| 12

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! !! Released date !! Title !! Songwriter !! Arrangement !! Label!! Best Ranking

1

|December 7, 2016

| Yoru ni nattara

| Momoko Hayashi

| Hump Back

| rowspan="2"|Well Bucket

| 67

2

| November 22, 2017

| hanamuke

| Momoko Hayashi

| Hump Back

| 17

= DVDs =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! !! Released date!! Title!! Label!! Best Ranking

1

| March 24, 2021

| At Osaka Castle Hall, Hump Back Concert Tour "Haikei Shonen Shojo Tachi Yo"

| rowspan="3"|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 “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.

| 5 (in Music DVDs)

= CDs from Indies' Label =

class="wikitable"

! 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

{{Reflist}}