Hump Back

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.

OriginHigashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan

GenresRock

Years active2009–present

Labels

Well Bucket
VAP
VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōshitsu

Quick facts Origin, Genres ...

Hump Back
Origin	Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan
Genres	Rock
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Well Bucket VAP VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōshitsu

Members	Momoko Hayashi Pika Misaki

Past members	Megu Yukkii 373 Kanna

Website	www.humpbackofficial.com

Close

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.^[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

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

Current members

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)