Maximum the Hormone
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese nu metal
band from Hachiōji, Tokyo
.
. After a couple of regional shows, the band signed a contract with the Japanese rock label Sky Records. A.S.A. Crew
was the first album released under that label and was the only full length album released with this lineup. At that time Daisuke wrote his songs only in English, and 'Maximum the Hormone' was also written in Latin letters. That changed when Key and Sugi left the band in 1999.
While looking for new members to join the band, Nao thought of her younger brother Ryo, who had been playing the guitar since his years in junior high school and could sing very well, too. From then on, the two men split up most of the vocals, Daisuke taking care of the screaming and rap vocals and Ryo the more melodic parts. Ue joined as well, completing the quartet as the bassist. After that major change the band decided to root their lyrics and band name in katakana to reflect the change in the band members. In 2001, the band released an EP
, Hō
.
.
After their first full album as a band, the band took a more traditional approach to recording, releasing two singles, followed by an album. Their next album, Kusoban
in 2004, was closer yet to the contrasting heavy music mixed with light pop that has gained them mainstream attention.
After the release of Kusoban on 2004, the band signed to VAP, a major record label.
After recording another pair of singles, the band released another album, Rokkinpo Goroshi
. The release caused a surge in their fanbase, as they began to sell out more shows, playing many rock festivals, and eventually releasing a live DVD, Debu Vs. Debu
. In addition, "Rolling1000toon" was featured as an ending theme for the anime
series Air Master
.
", which reached number nine on the Oricon
charts during the summer – their first top-ten hit in Japan. The band had two of their songs featured in anime
series; "What's Up, People?!
" and "Zetsubou Billy" are featured as the opening and ending tracks, respectively, in the second season episodes of the Death Note
anime series, and "Akagi" is featured as the ending theme for the Akagi
anime series.
After the promotion from two singles, and the songs featured on television, Maximum the Hormone released their next album, Buiikikaesu
. The album was a record for the band, debuting at number five on the Oricon charts; their first full album to rank. Also in Japan the album went Gold.
, and made their first overseas appearance in a short tour through the United States and Canada in support of Dropkick Murphys
. A new single titled "Tsume Tsume Tsume/「F」
" containing the songs "Tsume Tsume Tsume, "「F」", and "Kill all the 394" was released at the start of the "Tsume Tsume Tsume" tour in July, and reached the number 2 spot on the Oricon weekly singles chart. The tour continued through to October 16, 2008, with an additional tour finale, which took place on November 30.
On October 27, Maximum The Hormone made their first UK appearance supporting Enter Shikari
at the Bournemouth
BIC. They continued to tour with Enter Shikari until November 3, playing venues in Exeter
, Southampton
and Folkestone
, before ending with 2 nights at the London Astoria
. However, prior to the Enter Shikari dates, it was announced that Daisuke would require corrective surgery on his throat, causing the band to go on temporary hiatus while he recovered. The hiatus started in December and lasted for several months.
After Daisuke had recovered from his throat surgery the band went on to headline several shows in Japan with support from Bring Me The Horizon
and Blessed By A Broken Heart
in May 2009, as well as going on to win the award for "Best Rock Video" for "Tsume Tsume Tsume" in the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
.
On November 19, 2009, the band released a statement via their official website stating that Nao had fallen pregnant in September, but after discussions with her fellow band members and fellow staff, had decided to continue with all shows Maximum had booked. On November 3, however, Nao fell ill and was transported to hospital, where she was told that it would be unhealthy for her and the baby to continue performing. This resulted in the band going on hiatus until Nao had carried the baby to term and forced them to cancel all shows including an appearance at the Soundwave Festival 2010 in Australia.
On May 6, 2010, the band released another statement through their website stating that Nao gave birth to a healthy baby girl and that they would no longer be on hiatus.
The band's newest single titled "Greatest the Hits 2011–2011
" was released on March 23, debuting at number 1 spot on the Oricon weekly singles chart. In June they will be touring Europe.
In early August they played at Pentaport Rock Festival in Incheon, South Korea.
So far they have not announced any plans for a new album.
with a strong punk
influence; Allmusic's Alexey Eremenko writes that Maximum the Hormone are distinguished by "a general lack of the teenage angst and self-importance characteristic of true nu-metalers". Eremenko says that their album Bu-ikikaesu also incorporates pop punk
elements.
, screams
, rap
(1998–present) – drums
, vocals
(1998–present) – guitar
, clean vocals
(1999–present) – bass
, backing vocals
(1999–present)
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
band from Hachiōji, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
is a city located in Tokyo, Japan, about 40 kilometers west of the center of the special wards of Tokyo.As of January 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 551,901 and a population density of 2,962.27/km². The total area is 186.31 km². It is the eighth largest city in the...
.
1998–2001: Creation, early days and line-up change
Maximum the Hormone was created in 1998 by Daisuke Tsuda and Nao KawakitaNao Kawakita
, simply known as , is the drummer and backup vocalist of Japanese metal band Maximum the Hormone.-General information:Nao is the co-founding member of Maximum the Hormone with Daisuke Tsuda. She recruited her brother Ryo Kawakita to play guitar after Sugi and Key left the band...
. After a couple of regional shows, the band signed a contract with the Japanese rock label Sky Records. A.S.A. Crew
A.S.A. Crew
- Personnel :* Daisuke – vocals* Sugi – guitar* Nao Kawakita – drums, vocals* Key – bass...
was the first album released under that label and was the only full length album released with this lineup. At that time Daisuke wrote his songs only in English, and 'Maximum the Hormone' was also written in Latin letters. That changed when Key and Sugi left the band in 1999.
While looking for new members to join the band, Nao thought of her younger brother Ryo, who had been playing the guitar since his years in junior high school and could sing very well, too. From then on, the two men split up most of the vocals, Daisuke taking care of the screaming and rap vocals and Ryo the more melodic parts. Ue joined as well, completing the quartet as the bassist. After that major change the band decided to root their lyrics and band name in katakana to reflect the change in the band members. In 2001, the band released an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Hō
Ho
Ho, HO, or variations, may refer to:* Ho, Denmark, a town* Ho, Ghana, a town* Ho , Japanese kana* Ho language, spoken primarily in India* Ho people, primarily in the Indian state of Jharkhand...
.
2002–2005: Mimi Kajiru, Kusoban and Rokkinpo Goroshi
In 2002, the band left Sky Records and signed with Mimikajiru Records. The band released a new single, "Niku Cup", followed by a full length album, Mimi KajiruMimi Kajiru
is the third EP by Japanese nu metal band Maximum the Hormone, released on 23 October 2002. This was the first full album release to feature Maximum the Hormone's current lineup.-Track listing:-Personnel:* Daisuke – vocals* Maximum the Ryo – guitar, vocals...
.
After their first full album as a band, the band took a more traditional approach to recording, releasing two singles, followed by an album. Their next album, Kusoban
Kusoban
-Album:...
in 2004, was closer yet to the contrasting heavy music mixed with light pop that has gained them mainstream attention.
After the release of Kusoban on 2004, the band signed to VAP, a major record label.
After recording another pair of singles, the band released another album, Rokkinpo Goroshi
Rokkinpo Goroshi
-Album:-Notes:*"Rolling1000toon" was featured as an ending theme for the anime series Air Master and as a playable song in the Bemani games DrumMania 10th MIX and GuitarFreaks 11th MIX.*Several songs on the album finish with a quacking noise....
. The release caused a surge in their fanbase, as they began to sell out more shows, playing many rock festivals, and eventually releasing a live DVD, Debu Vs. Debu
Debu Vs. Debu
Debu Vs. Debu is a DVD released by the band Maximum the Hormone on September 15, 2005. The DVD contains live content, music videos and more extras.-Track listing:Live footage# "Hōchō Hasami Cutter Knife Dosu Kiri"# "Rock Bankurawase"...
. In addition, "Rolling1000toon" was featured as an ending theme for the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series Air Master
Air Master
is a seinen manga created by Yokusaru Shibata and serialized in Hakusensha's Young Animal. The story focuses on Maki Aikawa, an ex-gymnast turned street fighter. A 27-episode anime adaptation was produced by Toei Animation. The manga ended in 2006 after a 28 volume run.Geneon had signed an...
.
2006–2007: Buiikikaesu and commercial success
In 2006 the band entered popular culture with the song "Koi no Mega LoverKoi no Mega Lover
is a maxi single from the band Maximum the Hormone, released on July 5, 2006. The single charted on the Oricon charts at the position 9.-Tracklisting:# "Koi no Mega Lover" - 5:27# "Louisiana Bob" - 3:40...
", which reached number nine on the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
charts during the summer – their first top-ten hit in Japan. The band had two of their songs featured in anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series; "What's Up, People?!
What's Up, People?!
is a maxi single from the Japanese rock band Maximum the Hormone, released on November 16, 2005. The first song was used in the anime Death Note as the opening, and the second in the ending of the anime Akagi...
" and "Zetsubou Billy" are featured as the opening and ending tracks, respectively, in the second season episodes of the Death Note
Death Note
is a manga created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and manga artist Takeshi Obata. The main character is Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook, the "Death Note", dropped on Earth by a god of death, or a shinigami, named Ryuk...
anime series, and "Akagi" is featured as the ending theme for the Akagi
Akagi (manga)
is a mahjong centric Japanese manga, written by Nobuyuki Fukumoto and first published in 1992. It is featured in the weekly magazine Modern Mahjong, and is a prequel to the author's previous work Ten, in which Akagi's titular character also appears...
anime series.
After the promotion from two singles, and the songs featured on television, Maximum the Hormone released their next album, Buiikikaesu
Buiikikaesu
is the second LP by Japanese rock band Maximum the Hormone. It was the band's first album to chart on the Oricon charts, debuting at number five and selling 70,000 copies in its first week, after which it remained on the charts for seventy-eight weeks...
. The album was a record for the band, debuting at number five on the Oricon charts; their first full album to rank. Also in Japan the album went Gold.
2008–2010: Tsume Tsume Tsume and first and second hiatus
In 2008, the band the released their second live DVD: Deco Vs. DecoDeco Vs. Deco
Deco Vs. Deco is the second DVD released by the Japanese rock band Maximum the Hormone on March 19, 2008. The DVD contains live performances, music videos and more extras...
, and made their first overseas appearance in a short tour through the United States and Canada in support of Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
. A new single titled "Tsume Tsume Tsume/「F」
Tsume Tsume Tsume/F
is a double a-side maxi single released by the Japanese rock band Maximum the Hormone. The song peaked #2 at the Oricon and according to J-Music Europe the song charted at number 44 on the Oricon Top 100 2008: Singles. The single went Gold in Japan, selling more than 100,000 copies on Japan and...
" containing the songs "Tsume Tsume Tsume, "「F」", and "Kill all the 394" was released at the start of the "Tsume Tsume Tsume" tour in July, and reached the number 2 spot on the Oricon weekly singles chart. The tour continued through to October 16, 2008, with an additional tour finale, which took place on November 30.
On October 27, Maximum The Hormone made their first UK appearance supporting Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari are a British band, that combine post-hardcore with elements of various electronic genres, formed in 2003 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The band is named after a boat belonging to Roughton "Rou" Reynolds' uncle, and a character in a play which he wrote before forming the band, both of...
at the Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
BIC. They continued to tour with Enter Shikari until November 3, playing venues in Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
, Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
and Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
, before ending with 2 nights at the London Astoria
London Astoria
The London Astoria was a music venue, located at 157 Charing Cross Road, in London, England. It had been leased and run by Festival Republic since 2000. It was closed on 15 January 2009 and has since been demolished...
. However, prior to the Enter Shikari dates, it was announced that Daisuke would require corrective surgery on his throat, causing the band to go on temporary hiatus while he recovered. The hiatus started in December and lasted for several months.
After Daisuke had recovered from his throat surgery the band went on to headline several shows in Japan with support from Bring Me The Horizon
Bring Me the Horizon
Bring Me the Horizon are a British metalcore band from Sheffield, Yorkshire, who formed in 2004. Bring Me the Horizon constits of Oliver Sykes as the lead vocalist, lead guitarist Lee Malia, rhythm guitarist Jona Weinhofen, bassist Matt Kean and drummer Matt Nicholls...
and Blessed By A Broken Heart
Blessed by a Broken Heart
Blessed by a Broken Heart, stylized as BBABH, is a post-hardcore and glam metal band, originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada that was formed in 2003. They are currently signed to Tooth & Nail records.-History:...
in May 2009, as well as going on to win the award for "Best Rock Video" for "Tsume Tsume Tsume" in the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
MTV Video Music Awards Japan
The MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
.
On November 19, 2009, the band released a statement via their official website stating that Nao had fallen pregnant in September, but after discussions with her fellow band members and fellow staff, had decided to continue with all shows Maximum had booked. On November 3, however, Nao fell ill and was transported to hospital, where she was told that it would be unhealthy for her and the baby to continue performing. This resulted in the band going on hiatus until Nao had carried the baby to term and forced them to cancel all shows including an appearance at the Soundwave Festival 2010 in Australia.
On May 6, 2010, the band released another statement through their website stating that Nao gave birth to a healthy baby girl and that they would no longer be on hiatus.
2011–present: Return and Greatest the Hits
Later in February 7, 2011, the band released a video for the songs "Chiisana Kimi No Te (小さな君の手)" and "maximum the hormone" on their official website.The band's newest single titled "Greatest the Hits 2011–2011
Greatest the Hits 2011–2011
-Personnel:* Daisuke - vocals* Maximum the Ryo - guitar, clean vocals* Nao - drums, vocals* Ue-chan - bass guitar, backing vocals...
" was released on March 23, debuting at number 1 spot on the Oricon weekly singles chart. In June they will be touring Europe.
In early August they played at Pentaport Rock Festival in Incheon, South Korea.
So far they have not announced any plans for a new album.
Music
Maximum the Hormone performs nu metalNu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
with a strong punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
influence; Allmusic's Alexey Eremenko writes that Maximum the Hormone are distinguished by "a general lack of the teenage angst and self-importance characteristic of true nu-metalers". Eremenko says that their album Bu-ikikaesu also incorporates pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
elements.
Members
– lead vocalsLead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, screams
Screaming (music)
Screaming is a vocal technique that is most popular in subgenres of heavy metal, punk and hard rock, including metalcore, deathcore, post-hardcore, groove metal, black metal, and grindcore...
, rap
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
(1998–present) – drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1998–present) – guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, clean vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1999–present) – bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
(1999–present)
Discography
- A.S.A. CrewA.S.A. Crew- Personnel :* Daisuke – vocals* Sugi – guitar* Nao Kawakita – drums, vocals* Key – bass...
(1999) - HōHoHo, HO, or variations, may refer to:* Ho, Denmark, a town* Ho, Ghana, a town* Ho , Japanese kana* Ho language, spoken primarily in India* Ho people, primarily in the Indian state of Jharkhand...
(2001) - Mimi KajiruMimi Kajiruis the third EP by Japanese nu metal band Maximum the Hormone, released on 23 October 2002. This was the first full album release to feature Maximum the Hormone's current lineup.-Track listing:-Personnel:* Daisuke – vocals* Maximum the Ryo – guitar, vocals...
(2002) - KusobanKusoban-Album:...
(2004) - Rokkinpo GoroshiRokkinpo Goroshi-Album:-Notes:*"Rolling1000toon" was featured as an ending theme for the anime series Air Master and as a playable song in the Bemani games DrumMania 10th MIX and GuitarFreaks 11th MIX.*Several songs on the album finish with a quacking noise....
(2005) - Bu-ikikaesu (2007)