# Back Number

Back Number (バックナンバー, Bakku Nambā) is a Japanese rock power trio formed in 2004. The band consists of Iyori Shimizu (lead vocals, guitar), Kazuya Kojima (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Hisashi Kurihara (drums, percussion. The group signed to independent record label Idolsmith Recordings in 2009 and released their debut EP Nogashita Sakana (逃した魚, Fish Set Free) (2009) and studio album Ato no Matsuri (あとのまつり, Too Late) (2010). They signed to Universal Sigma in 2011. The band have a major cult following in Japan.
The group's biggest hit is "Christmas Song" [ja], which peaked at number-one for three weeks on the Japan Hot 100 chart, and was later certified million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. Their first compilation album, Encore (2016), reached number one on the Billboard Japan Hot Album for two consecutive weeks in 2016 and also ranked number five on the Oricon yearly best-selling album chart of 2017. In 2018, back number successfully held a Dome Tour titled “stay with you”, including a 2-night-concert in Tokyo Dome. All tickets for 5 concerts are sold out within 2 hours, mobilized over 45,000 guests per concert.

## Members

Current members
* Iyori Shimizu – lead vocals, guitar (2004–present)
* Kazuya Kojima – bass guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
* Hisashi Kurihara – drums, percussion (2006–present)
Former members
* Makio Saito – guitar, backing vocals (2006–2007)

## History

In 2004, Iyori Shimizu formed the band in Gunma Prefecture. The band was named "Back Number" because of a girl, who had dated Shimizu in high school, dated another musician. To her, Shimizu is an ex-boyfriend, a "back number". He wanted to make a "cooler" band than the musician's band with a hope that the girl might come back to him. It would take two years for the band, to form with other members (not the current members) in line. Then disagreements happened and the members' other work got in the way. The bassist at the time left and Kazuya Kojima, who is a childhood friend of Shimizu, joined the band and is now the current bassist. With Kojima joining, the band continued on, but the drummer also left the band. While looking for another drummer, Shimizu heard that the band of the guy who had taken his girlfriend had disbanded. Hisashi Kurihara, who was the drummer of that band and also went to the same high school as Kojima, was recruited to Back Number and has been the drummer ever since. After that, guitarist Makio Saito also left and the band became a trio, with its current line-up.
In November 2004, the band performed their first live show at Isezaki DUSTBOWL.
Since 2005, voluntary live performances were held annually in November (until 2007), following the release of the demo CD.
In 2007, the band performed a one-man live show, mobilized over 150 people and the tickets were sold out. In the same year, the band was chosen as the semi-best rocker (second place) from more than 100 bands at the band audition "ROCKERS 2007" sponsored by FM Gunma, which is a gateway for the northern Kanto band. It became well known in the local media.
In April 2008, their regular radio program "PIZZA SMALL WORLD" started broadcasting at the radio station FM TARO for an area of Ota City, Gunma Prefecture (broadcast ended in March 2014). In June 2008, the band won a qualifying competition from among 500 pairs of entries at the Shonan Music Festival Opening Act Audition and secured an appearance at the large outdoor festival Shonan Music Festival Vol. 2.
On February 18, 2009, the band released their first mini album, Nogashita Sakana, and became HMV push item "HOT PICKS", TOWER RECORDS push item "Tawareko Men" for the first time, selected as power play of FM station and Sony Ericsson CS commercial song, the band then was widely known throughout the country. On May 27, Tawareko, a back number free live with HMV as the co-ownership was held at SHIBUYA-BOXX, and more than 500 people joined, which exceeded the capacity of the regular entry. In June, the band finished a tour at the Ferrari Temple Park Outdoor Stage in Isezaki City with a crowd of 500 people. After that, the band also positively appeared in events such as "SAKAE-SPRING", "MINAMI WHEEL", "TREASURE", "MUSIC CUBE" all over the country, school festival, install alive, etc.
On June 2, 2010, released their first full-length album, Ato no Matsuri.
On April 6, 2011, the band made their major debut with the single "Hanabira".
On September 7, 2013, the band held a one-man live "back number live at Nippon Budokan - stay with us-" at Nippon Budokan.
From April 2014, the band was appointed as a regular personality of Nippon Broadcasting "All Night Nippon" on every Tuesday. On September 14, 2014, at the Yokohama Arena, the first arena performance "love stories tour 2014 - Yokohama love story 2 ~" was held.
On December 15, 2015, their fifth album, Chandelier, reached first place on the Oricon chart for two consecutive weeks.
On December 28, 2016, the band released their own all-time best album, Encore, which reached number one on the Billboard Japan Hot Album for two consecutive weeks.
On December 20, 2017, the band released their 17th single, Mabataki , which reached number one on the Recochoku Weekly Download Charts for two weeks.

## Discography
### Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Details | Peak | Sales | Certifications |
| Title | Details | JPN | Sales | Certifications |
| Nogashita Sakana | Type: Extended play Released: June 2, 2010 Label: Idolsmith Recordings Format: CD | 132 | | |
| Ato no Matsuri (後の祭り, "Too Late") | Type: Studio album Released: June 2, 2010 Label: Idolsmith Recordings Format: CD | 55 | | |
| Super Star | Type: Studio album Released: October 26, 2011 Label: Universal Sigma Format: CD | 4 | | RIAJ: Gold |
| Blues | Type: Studio album Released: November 21, 2012 Label: Universal Sigma Format: CD · CD/DVD | 7 | | RIAJ: Gold |
| Love Story | Type: Studio album Released: March 26, 2014 Label: Universal Sigma Format: CD · CD/DVD | 2 | | RIAJ: Gold |
| Chandelier | Type: Studio album Released: December 9, 2015 Label: Universal Sigma Format: CD · CD/DVD | 1 | JPN: 359,000 | RIAJ: Platinum |
| Encore | Type: Greatest hits album Released: December 28, 2016 Label: Universal Sigma Format: CD · CD/DVD | 2 | JPN: 853,000 | RIAJ (physical): 2× Platinum RIAJ (download): Gold |
| Magic | Type: Studio album Released: March 27, 2019 Label: Universal Sigma Format: CD · CD/DVD · CD/Blu-ray | 1 | JPN: 361,000 | RIAJ: Platinum |
| Humor | Type: Studio album Released: January 17, 2023 Label: Universal Sigma Format: CD · CD/DVD · CD/Blu-ray | 1 | JPN: 140,025 | RIAJ: Platinum |

### Independent production

| | Release date | Title |
| 1st | November 2005 | Gift×Life |
| 2nd | November 2006 | then Fish |
| 3rd | November 2007 | Distance Knock Tender |

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Physical Sales (JPN) | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | JPN Oricon | JPN Hot | Physical Sales (JPN) | Certifications | Album |
| "Hanabira" | 2011 | 45 | 13 | 3,000 | RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | Super Star |
| "Hanataba" | 2011 | 18 | 3 | 13,000 | RIAJ: 3× Platinum (download) RIAJ: 3× Platinum (streaming) | Super Star |
| "Omoidasenaku Naru Sono Hi Made" | 2011 | 24 | 1 | 5,000 | RIAJ: Gold (download) | Super Star |
| "Koi" | 2012 | 24 | 12 | 7,000 | RIAJ: Gold (download) RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) | Blues |
| "Nichiyoubi" | 2012 | 24 | 9 | 7,000 | RIAJ: Gold (download) RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | Blues |
| "Watagashi" | 2012 | 14 | 3 | 9,000 | RIAJ: Gold (download) RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) | Blues |
| "Aoi Haru" | 2012 | 14 | 4 | 10,000 | RIAJ: Platinum (download) RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | Blues |
| "Takane no Hanako-san" | 2013 | 11 | 3 | 15,000 | RIAJ: 3× Platinum (download) RIAJ: 3× Platinum (streaming) | Love Story |
| "Fish" | 2014 | 4 | 5 | 21,000 | | Love Story |
| "Tsunaida te Kara" | 2014 | 9 | 6 | 11,000 | RIAJ: Gold (download) RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | Love Story |
| "Heroine" | 2015 | 6 | 2 | 43,000 | RIAJ: 2× Platinum (download) RIAJ: 2× Platinum (streaming) | Chandelier |
| "Sister" | 2015 | 9 | 5 | 32,000 | RIAJ: Gold (download) RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | Chandelier |
| "Tegami" | 2015 | 4 | 2 | 29,000 | RIAJ: Gold (download) RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | Chandelier |
| "Christmas Song" | 2015 | 2 | 1 | 100,000 | RIAJ: Gold (physical) RIAJ: Million (download) RIAJ: 3× Platinum (streaming) | Chandelier |
| "Boku no Namae wo" | 2016 | 6 | 1 | 33,000 | RIAJ: Gold (download) RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | Encore |
| "Happy End" | 2016 | 5 | 4 | 59,000 | RIAJ: 2× Platinum (download) RIAJ: 3× Platinum (streaming) | Encore |
| "Mabataki" | 2017 | 5 | 2 | 61,000 | RIAJ: 2× Platinum (download}) RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) | Magic |
| "Dai Fusekai" | 2018 | 3 | 2 | 45,000 | RIAJ: Platinum (download) RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | Magic |
| "Old Fashion" | 2018 | 4 | 1 | 65,000 | RIAJ: 2× Platinum (download) RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) | Magic |
| "Happy Birthday" | 2019 | 4 | 2 | 45,000 | RIAJ: 2× Platinum (download) RIAJ: 2× Platinum (streaming) | Magic |
| "Kiiro" | 2021 | 3 | 2 | 26,000 | RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) | Humor |
| "Atarashii Koibitotachi ni" | 2024 | 6 | 1 | 24,843 | RIAJ: Gold (download) RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) | Non-album single |

### Digital singles

List of digital singles, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | Japan Hot 100 | Certifications | Album |
| "Kuroi Neko no Uta" | 2016 | 12 | | Encore |
| "Emerald" | 2020 | 7 | RIAJ (download): Gold RIAJ (streaming): Platinum | Humor |
| "Kaito" | 2021 | 3 | RIAJ (download): Gold RIAJ (streaming): 2× Platinum | Humor |
| "Suiheisen" | 2021 | 2 | RIAJ (download): Platinum RIAJ (streaming): Diamond | Humor |
| "Velvet no Uta" | 2022 | 13 | RIAJ (streaming): Platinum | Humor |
| "I Love You" | 2022 | 5 | RIAJ (download): Gold RIAJ (streaming): 2× Platinum | Humor |
| "Kaiju no Size" | 2023 | 16 | | Non-album singles |
| "Fuyu to Haru" | 2024 | 9 | RIAJ (streaming): Gold | Non-album singles |

### DVD

| | Release date | Title | Highest rank (Oricon) |
| 1st | February 25, 2015 | "Love stories tour 2014 ~ Yokohama love story 2 ~" | 3 |
| 2nd | November 15, 2017 | "All Our Yesterdays TOUR 2017 at SAITAMA SUPER ARENA" | 1 |
| 3rd | March 25, 2020 | "NO MAGIC TOUR 2019 at Osaka-jo Hall" | 2 |
| 4th | October 11, 2023 | "in your humor tour 2023 at Tokyo Dome" | 1 |

### Live tour

* Bolded performances are additional performances.
| Schedule | Title | Conference venue |
| December 6 - December 22 | Super Tour 2011 | 4 locations nationwide, 4 shows December 06 Nagoya ell Fits All December 08 Shinsaibashi MUSE December 17 Tokyo TSUTAYA O-EAST December 22 Fukuoka DRUM Be-1 |
| March 16 - April 30 | Love is blind tour 2012 | 12 locations nationwide, 12 performances March 16 Sapporo KRAPS HALL March 18 Sendai HooK March 30 Fukuoka DRUM LOGOS April 01 Nagoya CLUB QUATTRO April 04 Gunma CLUB FLEEZ April 07 Hiroshima Namiki Junction April 13 Osaka AKASO April 15 Takamatsu DIME April 19 Fukushima CLUB # 9 April 21 Niigata CLUB RIVERST April 27 Tokyo SHIBUYA-AX April 30 Tokyo Shibuya Public Hall |
| January 14 - March 30 | Back to the blues tour 2013 | 17 places nationwide, 19 performances January 14 Chiba LOOK January 15 Mito LIGHT HOUSE January 17 Sendai Rensa January 20 Sapporo PENNY LANE 24 January 26 Niigata LOTS January 27 Toyama SOUL POWER January 31 Kagoshima CAPARVO HALL February 01 Kumamoto DRUM Be-9 V1 February 03 Okayama IMAGE February 05 Hiroshima CLUB QUATTRO February 07 Kochi X-pt. February 09 Takamatsu Olive Hall February 14 Gunma club FLEEZ March 1 Fukuoka International Conference Hall Main Hall March 03 Aichi Nagoya City Public Hall Great Hall March 08 Osaka NHK Osaka Hall March 09 Osaka NHK Osaka Hall March 29–30 Tokyo Shibuya Public Hall |
| May 14 - September 23 | Love stories tour 2014 | 22 places nationwide, 24 performances May 14 Gunma Ota Nita Cultural Center Aerith Hall May 16 Gunma Isezaki City Cultural Center May 18 Saitama Omiya Sonic City Hall Hall May 23 Kagoshima Kagoshima Prefectural Cultural Center Baoshan Hall May 25 Fukuoka Fukuoka Sun Palace May 31 Okayama Okayama City Hall June 1 Hiroshima Ueno Gakuen Hall June 06 Shizuoka Act City Hamamatsu Great Hall June 08 Hyogo Kobe International Hall Kokusai Hall June 14 Hokkaido Sapporo Municipal Hall June 20 Niigata Niigata Prefectural Civic Center June 21 Mori Hall of Ishikawa Honda June 28 Miyagi Tokyo Electron Hall, Miyagi June 29 Iwate Morioka Civil Cultural Hall Great Hall July 04–05 Osaka Orix Theater July 13 Ehime Matsuyama City Hall Great Hall July 15 Kagawa Sunport Hall Takamatsu Great Hall July 19 Aichi Nagoya International Conference Center Century Hall July 23 Tokyo Nakano Sun Plaza Hall July 25 Tokyo NHK Hall September 14th - 15th Kanagawa Yokohama Arena September 23 Osaka Osakajo Hall |
| March 25 - June 7 | Urban Live Tour 2015 | 10 places nationwide, 16 performances March 25–26 Niigata LOTS March 31 - April 01 Sendai Rensa April 03 Hokkaido Zepp Sapporo April 08–09 Aichi Zepp Nagoya April 13–14 Osaka Zepp Namba April 17 Hiroshima BLUE LIVE April 19 Fukuoka Zepp Fukuoka April 23–24 Tokyo Zepp Tokyo April 29 Okinawa Sakurazaka Central June 06–07 Chiba Makuhari Messe Event Hall |
| January 24 - July 24 | Mirrorball and Chandelier Tour 2016 | 32 places nationwide, 39 performances Hall performance January 24 Chiba Ichikawa City Cultural Center Great Hall January 28 Tokyo TAMASHIN RISURU Hall February 04 Oita iichiko Grand Cita February 06 Miyazaki Miyazaki citizens culture hall If it is Nara, February 11th 100th anniversary hall February 12 Mie Yokkaichi City Cultural Center First Hall February 19 Hiroshima Ueno Gakuen Hall February 21 Okayama Okayama City Hall February 25 Kanagawa Kanagawa Prefectural Hall February 28 Ibaraki Ibaraki prefectural prefectural cultural center March 03 Hokkaido Nitori Cultural Hall March 04 Hokkaido Asahikawa Citizens' Cultural Center Great Hall March 12 Hyogo Kobe International Hall Kokusai Hall March 13 Kyoto Rome Theater Kyoto March 20 Niigata Niigata Prefectural Civic Center March 21 Toyama Toyama Overdoor Hall March 25 Shizuoka Shizuoka Citizens' Culture Center Great Hall April 01 Ehime Matsuyama City Hall Great Hall April 03 Kagawa alpha ANAUKUKI Hall big hall April 08 Fukushima Koriyama Citizens' Cultural Center Great Hall April 09 Nagano Hokuto Culture Hall April 15 Miyagi Sendai Sun Plaza Hall April 17 Aomori Link Station Hall Aomori April 23–24 Okinawa Namura Hall April 27 Saitama Omiya Sonic City Hall (transfer performance on March 27) April 29 Gunma Baysia Culture Hall Great Hall Arena performance June 04–05 Aichi NGK Hall June 18–19 Chiba Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 9 - 11 Hall June 29–30 Osaka Osakajo Hall July 09 Fukuoka Marine Messe Fukuoka July 10 Fukuoka Marine Messe Fukuoka July 14–15 Tokyo Nippon Budokan July 23–24 Gumma Yamada Green Dome Maebashi |
| February 25 - June 11 | Back number "All Our Yesterdays Tour 2017" | 15 places nationwide, 30 performances February 25–26 Chiba Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall Makuhari Event Hall March 03–04 Osaka Osakajo Hall March 11–12 Fukui Sun Dome Fukui March 18–19 Miyagi Sekisui Heim Super Arena April 01–02 Ehime Ehime Prefecture Budokan April 08–09 Kanagawa Yokohama Arena April 15–16 Hyogo Kobe World Memorial Hall April 22–23 Fukuoka Marine Messe Fukuoka April 29–30 Niigata Toki Messe: Niigata Convention Center May 05–06 Shizuoka Shizuoka Ecopa Arena May 12–13 Hokkaido Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center North Sea Yeah May 17–18, Aichi NGK Hall May 27–28 Hiroshima Hiroshima Green Arena June 03–04 Saitama Saitama Super Arena June 10–11 Okinawa Okinawa Convention Center Exhibition Building |

## Awards

* ROCKERS 2007 · Semi Best Rockers (2007)
* 4th CD Shop Awards · Finalist Award Super Star (2012)
* 5th CD Shop Awards · Finalist Award blues (2013)
* 7th CD Shop Awards · Finalist Award Love Story (2015)
* SPACE SHOWER MUSIC AWARDS - BEST GROUP ARTIST (2016)
* The 87th Drama Academy Award "Christmas Song" (2016)
* The 58th Japan Record Awards · Excellent Album Award Chandelier (2016)
* DAM annual karaoke request ranking · First place (2016)
* Uta-Net annual lyrics browsing artist ranking: First place (2016)
* 8th CD Shop Awards · Finalist Award Chandelier (2017)