# Hump Back (Japanese band)

Hump Back (Japanese: ハンプバック, Hepburn: Hampubakku) 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).
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.

## 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.
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. 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 married recently. 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.

## 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)

### Former members

* 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
### Single CDs

| | 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 | VAP | 13 | "Haikei shonen yo", "Night Theater", "Ikiteiku" and "Kujira" are on CD Album Ningen nanosa |
| 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

| | 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 | VAP / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu | 7 |

### EPs

| | 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 | Well Bucket | 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 |
| 2 | March 30, 2022 | Hump Back pre. "ACHATTER Tour" 2021.11.28 at NIPPON BUDOKAN | Vap / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu | 9 |
| 3 | November 22, 2023 | Hump Back pre.“Uchiage Hiroen”LIVE at NIPPON BUDOKAN | Vap / Hayashi Ongaku Kyōsitsu | 5 (in Music DVDs) |

### CDs from Indies' Label

| 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 | |