is a Japanese all-female rock band formed in Higashiōsaka, Osaka in 2009. 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. 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.
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. 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).
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 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.
In 2012, Hump Back took part in a rock music competition for teens, called Senko Riot, where the band advanced to the semi-final competition held in Osaka. 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. In April, new EP Kaeri michi was released at only one CD shop in Osaka. 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. 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.
In November 2017, EP Hanamuke and EP Keshigomu kashite (Hayashi's solo performance on the acoustic guitar) were on sale.
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
In 2019, new Hump Back's label, called Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu was established in VAP. 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. and EP Age of Love(Best ranking : number 12) in 2022
In May 2023, the group held a concert called "Our Wedding Ceremony (Uchiage Hiroen)" at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, as each member had recently married. Momoko Hayashi married in October 2022, Misaki in November 2022 and Pika in July 2020. 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, 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
In August 2026, the band announced that they were signing to Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Echoes, as well as their first release under the label, the EP Yawaraka na Dōkutsu, set to be released on October 14.
Members Current members – lead vocals, guitar (2009–present) – bass, backing vocals (2015–present) – drums, backing vocals (2016–present)
Former members – bass, backing vocals (2009–2013) – drums (2009–2013) 373 – drums (2013–2015) – support bass (2014–2015) – drums, backing vocals (2015)
Discography Single CDs Released date Title LabelBest Ranking Remarks 1 June 20, 2018 Haikei shonen yoVAP13"Haikei shonen yo", "Night Theater", "Ikiteiku" and "Kujira" are on CD Album Ningen nanosa 2December 5, 2018 Namida no yukue 3August 19, 2020 Teen age sunset VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu 12 "Senko" is on CD Album Achatter 4June 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
Released date Title Songwriter Arrangement Label Best Ranking 1July 17, 2019 Ningen nanosa Momoko Hayashi Hump BackVAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu 6 2August 4, 2021 ACHATTER Momoko Hayashi, Pika Hump Back 7 3March 26, 2025 Hump Back Momoko Hayashi, GIMA☆KENTA of "I Was Born" Hump Back 16
EPs Released date Title Songwriter Arrangement Label Best Ranking 1August 10, 2022 AGE OF LOVE Momoko Hayashi, Pika Hump BackVAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu 12
Released date Title Songwriter Arrangement Label Best Ranking 1December 7, 2016 Yoru ni nattara Momoko Hayashi Hump BackWell Bucket 67 2 November 22, 2017 hanamuke Momoko Hayashi Hump Back 17
DVDs 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 2March 30, 2022 Hump Back pre. "ACHATTER Tour" 2021.11.28 at NIPPON BUDOKAN 9 3November 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 Released date Title Songwriter RemarksAug. 1, 2012 say good bye Momoko Hayashi December 22, 2013 Aoi hitomi Momoko HayashiApril 1, 2015 Kaeri michi Momoko Hayashi Sold only at a single CD shop July 22, 2015 Junanasai Momoko Hayashi
References
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