Futoshi Uehara

Maximum the Hormone (マキシマム ザ ホルモン) is a Japanese heavy metal/hardcore punk band from Hachiōji, Tokyo.

Maximum the Hormone was formed in March 1997 by vocalist Daisuke-han, guitarist Key-yan, bassist Sugi and drummer Nao, initially as a cover band of the High-Lows as part of the member's university's light music club.

In May, the band began recording original songs, half of them being melodic hardcore and the other half being hardcore punk.

They played their first show in Hachiōji in June 1997.

The following month, the band released their first demo tape, selling out all 100 copies.

They also continued to play shows in Hachiōji and Shibuya and dropped the melodic hardcore parts of their music.

In March 1998, a second demo tape was released with 200 copies and in May, the band embarked on their first domestic tour.

In August, their first album A.S.A. Crew was recorded and the band participated in the collaboration album PUNKER SHOT 2, released by Sky Records.

In December 1998, guitarist Key-yan and bassist Sugi left the band, which caused the release of A.S.A. Crew to be postponed until August 1999.

Their lineup has consisted of vocalist Daisuke-han, drummer Nao, guitarist Maximum the Ryo-kun, and bassist Ue-chang since 1999.

Each member alternates singing lead vocals, often within the same song, with the exception of Ue-chang, who provides backup vocals almost exclusively.

The group is best known for their unconventional and experimental style of alternative metal music.

Over their career, they have found success incorporating elements of heavy metal, hardcore punk, hip hop, pop, funk, and ska into their sound.

Stylistically, their music runs the gamut from being dark and serious, to ironic or humorous, often with drastic shifts in tempo and mood over the course of a song.

The band's eclectic nature frequently draws comparisons to System of a Down.

In January 1999, Nao's younger brother Maximum the Ryo-kun joined the band, as he had played guitar since junior high-school and could also sing.

He became the band's co-lead vocalist, handling guitars and singing duties while Daisuke handles screams and raps.

After using a support bassist for their live shows, bassist Ue-chang joined in September 1999, completing their current lineup.

The first release with this lineup would come in October 1999 in the form of another demo tape.

The band then decided to write their band name in katakana to reflect the change in the band members, and the band also started incorporating Japanese into their lyrics.

In 2001, the band released an EP, Hō.

When asked about the group's name in an interview, Maximum the Ryo-kun stated "Take it as you like, it means anything from the Japanese cuisine for cooking animal innards to the sensation of the maximum amount of your hormones coming to the boil! Although when we go abroad people think we’re just some sorta sexual-energy-drink".

"Hormone" (or horumon) is a style of yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) where many of the typically discarded internal organs are grilled in bite sized pieces and eaten.

In 2002, the band left Sky Records and signed with Mimikajiru Records.

The band released the single, "Niku Cup", followed by a full-length album, Mimi Kajiru, in 2002.

The EP Kusoban, released in 2004, featured heavy music mixed with light pop that has gained them mainstream attention.

After the release of Kusoban, the band signed to VAP, a major record label.

The band released the full-length album Rockinpo Goroshi in 2005.

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 in the Air Master anime, as well as being featured in DrumMania 10th Mix as a playable song.

The song's title is actually a play on words.

Combined, the number 1000 (pronounced "sen"), and "toon" (pronounced "ton") form the phrase "rolling senton".

A senton is a leaping move, in pro wrestling, that often includes somersaults.

The concept is illustrated at the end of the music video, when the protagonist (bassist Ue-chang) fells the bully character by leaping into the air, doing several mid-air flips, then landing the final blow.

In 2006 the band entered popular culture with the song "Koi no Mega Lover", which reached number nine on the Oricon charts during the summer – their first top-ten hit in Japan.

The band had three of their songs featured in anime series: "What's Up, People?!"

and "Zetsubō Billy" are featured as the second opening and ending themes of Death Note, and "Akagi" is featured as the ending theme for Akagi.

Maximum the Hormone released their next album, Bu-ikikaesu, in 2007 The album debuted at number five on the Oricon chart; their first full album to reach that chart.

Also, the album was certified Gold in Japan.

In 2008, the band released their second live DVD: Deco Vs. Deco, and made their first overseas appearances with a short tour through the United States and Canada in support of Dropkick Murphys.