Maximum the Hormone (マキシマムザホルモン)

Maximum the Hormone (マキシマムザホルモン)

 

This is a band that I found during the time when I was watching the anime Death Note (which is a VERY good anime). I enjoyed the song so much that I decided to show my friend Marcos their work, and we’ve been following them since. So, without further ado, here’s their background information:

Maximum the Hormone was created in 1998 by Daisuke Tsuda and Nao Kawakita^[2], along with former members Sugi and Key. After a couple regional gigs, the band signed a contract with the indie 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 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^[2]. In 2001, the band released an EP, Hō.

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 Kajiru.

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.^[2]

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.

The year 2006 saw the band’s breakout into popular culture with the song “Koi no Mega Lover“, reaching number nine on the Oricon charts during the summer of 2006; their first top-ten hit in Japan. The band had three 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^[3], and “Akagi” is featured as the ending theme for the Akagi anime series.^[4]

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.^[5] Also in Japan the album went Gold.

The year 2008 started off with the release of their new live DVD titled Deco Vs. Deco. The band also made their first overseas appearance in a short tour through the United States and Canada with Dropkick Murphys in March. A new single titled “Tsume Tsume Tsume/「F」” containing the songs “Tsume Tsume Tsume, “「F」”, and “Kill all the 394″ was announced. ^[7] The disc was released at the start of their “Tsume Tsume Tsume” tour on July 16, 2008, and reached the number 2 spot on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, making it the band’s most successful single to date. The tour continued through October 16, 2008. ^[8] with an additional tour finale set to take place on November 30.

On October 24 it was announced that Daisuke would require surgery on his throat, causing the band to go on temporary hiatus while he recovers. The hiatus is set to start in December and last for around three months.

On October 27th Maximum The Hormone made their first UK appearance supporting Enter Shikari at the Bournemouth BIC. They continue to tour with Enter Shikari until 3rd November, playing Exeter, Southampton, Folkestone, and finishing with 2 nights at the London Astoria.

If your a lover of J-Rock or Metal, hit these guys up. Trust me, it’s worth the experience. ^_^

-Amorías