Maximum the Hormone (Japanese: マキシマム ザ ホルモン, Hepburn: Makishimamu za Horumon) is a Japanese heavy metal/hardcore punk band from Hachiōji, Tokyo. Their lineup consists of vocalist Daisuke-han, drummer Nao, guitarist Maximum the Ryokun, and bassist Ue-chang. 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.
Top Tracks
Releases in the Catalogue
- Maximum the Hormone - Deco Vs Deco -
VPBQ-19050(2008) - Maximum the Hormone - Dhurha Vs Dhurha -
WPZL-90246(2022)
Members
Current
- Daisuke-Han - Structure, Vocals
- Kawakita Ryo - Concept & Structure, Design Direction, Executive Producer, Guitar, Lyrics By, Music By, Original Concept, Planning, Structure, Supervision, Total Creative Brain, Vocals
- Nao - Drums, Structure, Vocals
- Ue-Chang - 8bit BGM Programming, Bass, Structure
Former
- Kiichiro Yoshikawa
- Sugi
History
Translated from the ja.wikipedia article マキシマム ザ ホルモン (CC BY-SA 4.0), revision 110289868.
Overview
Maximum the Hormone was formed in Hachioji, Tokyo, in 1997. The original members were Nao, DAISUKE (now Daisuke-han), SUGI, and KEY-YAN. While performing mainly in their home region of Kanto, they signed with the independent label SkyRecord and released their first album, A.S.A. Crew, with this lineup. At the time, DAISUKE served as the principal songwriter. After SUGI and KEY-YAN left the band, Ryo-kun (now Maximum the Ryo-kun) and Ue-chan joined, forming the current lineup.
The band’s official name is written マキシマム ザ ホルモン, with half-width spaces on either side of ザ. Therefore, spellings without spaces, such as マキシマムザホルモン, or those using middle dots, such as マキシマム・ザ・ホルモン, are incorrect. At the time of its formation, the band used the English spelling “Maximum The Hormone,” but changed to its current katakana spelling following the lineup changes. Since then, the English spelling has only been used secondarily.
The band has explained that its name means that it delivers music so exciting that “hormones,” or substances secreted in the brain, are released to the maximum extent. However, it has revealed that this explanation was added afterward. The actual origin was that the members liked meat, particularly horumon yakiniku, and chose the word “hormone,” to which they added “MAXIMUM” as a word that sounded good.
The collective name for its fans is Harapeko (腹ペコ). The band’s catchphrase is “Sando no meshi yori meshi ga suki” (三度の飯より飯が好き; “They like food more than three meals a day”).
The opening SE used when the band appears on stage is “MARCHIN'MINT FLAVORS,” the first track on SPACE COMBINE’s album 20000cc.
The album Yoshu Fukushu, released in 2013, ranked first on the album chart for three consecutive weeks and won the grand prize at the 6th CD Shop Awards 2014 in 2014.
In 2019, the “Franchising a Rock Band: Maximum the Hormone Second Branch Project,” conceived and produced under the overall direction of Maximum the Ryo-kun, was planned. The five people selected through auditions formed the Maximum the Hormone Second Branch Band Coronanamoremomo, which was active from 2019 to 2024. The project received an ACC Silver award in Category B of the Branded Communication Division and was named a finalist in the Marketing Effectiveness Division at the 2019 59th ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY AWARDS, Japan’s largest advertising and marketing awards.
Maximum the Ryokun
Maximum the Ryokun (マキシマムザりょうくん; English: Maximum the ryokun) is the band's vocalist and guitarist. His official designation is “vocals, six strings, and younger brother” (歌と6弦と弟). His former designation was Ryokun.
Personal Life
His real name is Ryo Kawakita (川北 亮). He was born in Machida, Tokyo, and has blood type O.
He is Nao's younger brother, and the two have a younger brother. He writes and composes most of the band's songs, and also provides song explanations in lyric booklets, produces merchandise designs, and creates illustrations for the official website.
The “kun” in “Maximum the Ryokun” does not function as an honorific for another person, but refers to the character kun (君 / くん / きみ) used in words such as bokun (“tyrant”).
He attended a rough high school with many delinquents. However, he has described himself during his school years as an uncool, naturally curly-haired boy.
He has cited bands associated with Mike Patton, Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi, Tool, System of a Down, The Queers, Skindred, Scanch, SNOT, NOFX, Rage Against the Machine, Denki Groove, B-DASH, Tub Ring, Rancid, Yakozen, Waltari, early Asian Dub Foundation, PUYA, SELART, The Wildhearts, Terrorvision, Converge, The Presidents of the United States of America, early Teddybears, Molotov, Oasis, Ramones, early Korn, Mindless Self Indulgence, Pantera, Look What I Did, mid-period Magokoro Brothers, Nirvana, Ulfuls, Lye by Mistake, Rats & Star, The Vandals, The Fall of Troy, Queen, One Minute Silence, late-period TMGE, PINKPANTHERS, and Jellyfish as artists he likes.
He is married and has three children.
He dislikes wearing shoes and always wears toilet sandals. He is also particular about the brand of sandals, stating that toilet sandals other than the “VIC” model made by Nishibe Chemical are his enemies.
In 2008, he participated as a featured collaborator, credited as “featuring Maximum the Ryokun,” on “SYSTEMATIC PEOPLE,” a song by WAGDUG FUTURISTIC UNITY, a project by KYONO of THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETS.
He wrote a bimonthly serial column, “Maximum the Ryokun's Maximum the Legal Trip,” in the magazine BUBKA, published by Core Magazine, now Byakuya Shobo. The series concluded in the issue released on February 27, 2010.
In 2023, he appeared as a coach on the TV Tokyo network audition program The Voice Japan.
In 2024, he provided SixTONES with the song “Koi no Batarian.”
Daisuke-Han
Daisuke-han (English: Daisukehan) is the vocalist. His official designation is “the noisy one.” His former designations were DAISUKE and Daisuke.
Personal Life and Career
His real name is Daisuke Tsuda (津田大輔). He was born in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. He graduated from Kagawa Prefectural Takamatsu Nishi High School and Soka University. His blood type is A.
He has stated that his favorite artists are COBRA, New Rote'ka, THE RYDERS, THE STALIN, DEATH SIDE, Lip Cream, INSANE YOUTH, Pantera, Slayer, Blind Guardian, Assück, Dropdead, Disrupt, The Exploited, B'z, G.B.H., Koji Kikkawa, ZIGGY, and Kenji Ozawa.
He played drums on “Patocar Moyasu” (パトカー燃やす) and “Policeman Fuck” (ポリスマンファック) from the album Mimi Kajiru (耳噛じる), as Nao performed vocals on “Policeman Fuck.” In “E-i-ri-an” (え・い・り・あ・ん), he switches parts with Nao during the song and plays drums. He also played drums on “Haikei VAP-dono” (拝啓VAP殿), included in the book Korekara no Men Kata Kotteri no Hanashi o Shiyou (これからの麺カタコッテリの話をしよう), after switching roles with Nao due to developing a cervical disc herniation.
On October 24, 2008, it was announced that he had a vocal cord cyst, and on December 11 of the same year, he reported that its removal surgery had been completed.
He is married. He announced on Twitter that he had married on June 8, 2014. On September 17, 2018, while appearing at HAZIKETEMAZARE FESTIVAL 2018, a music festival organized by HEY-SMITH, he announced that he had cervical disc herniation.
Ue-Chan
Ue-chan (うえちゃん; English: Uechang) performs bass, chorus, vocals, and programming. His official designation is “4 Strings, Vocals and DANGER×FUTOSHI” (ヨンげんとうたとデンジャー・フトシ).
His real name is Futoshi Uehara (上原 太). He was born in Hino, Tokyo, and has blood type A. Influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he has named Suicidal Tendencies, YKZ, and Les Claypool among his favorite artists. He is married.
He has tattoos with the same designs as members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He also has numerous tattoos over his entire body and is such an enthusiast that he has said, “I am afraid of the gaps where there are no tattoos.” He appeared on the cover of the January 2013 issue of TATTOO BURST, published by Core Magazine.
His younger brother is drummer Akira Uehara. The two performed a brotherly session in the May 2009 issue of BASS MAGAZINE, published by Rittor Music.
In 2004, under the name Ultra the Ue-chan, he played bass on track 2, “Circumcision Curry” (割礼カレー), and track 3, “69,” from the album Kingdom Citizen Brainwashing Education Set (王国民洗脳教育セット), released by Kyonyu Mandara Oukoku. (巨乳まんだら王国。).
In 2022, he played bass on Ado’s song “Backlight” (逆光).
Nao
Nao (English: Nao) is the drummer and vocalist. Her official designation is “drums, female voice (onnagoe), and older sister (ane)”.
Personal Life and Career
Her real name is Nao Kumamoto (熊本 奈緒), and her former surname was Kawakita (川北). She was born in Machida, Tokyo, and has blood type A.
She is the older sister of Maximum the Ryo-kun, the band's only female member, and its oldest member.
Her favorite artists include Unicorn, Ringo Sheena, Chara, Magokoro Brothers, Sparks Go Go, The High-Lows, Ulfuls, and Space Combine.
She is married. On December 16, 2008, she announced on her blog that she had registered her marriage. Her husband was the bassist of the punk band Remind, which had already disbanded, with whom she had been acquainted. She announced her pregnancy on November 6, 2009, and gave birth to a daughter on May 6 of the following year. She became pregnant with her second child in 2015 but suffered a miscarriage at eight weeks of pregnancy. On September 9, 2016, she gave birth to a daughter.
Television Dramas
- Ya Boy Kongming!: Episodes 2 and 7 (October 4 and November 8, 2023, Fuji Television) – as Kyoka Oizumi
Commercials
- Hagoromo Foods
- Sea Chicken (2016)
- Isuzu Motors (2018) – vocals only
Variety Programs
- Sukkiri (August 20, 2019 – March 31, 2023, Nippon Television network) – commentator, irregular appearances
- Spice Traveler (October 26, 2019 – , Fuji Television One Two Next) – irregular appearances
- Ueda to Onna ga Hoeru Yoru (2019 – , Nippon Television network) – irregular appearances
Former Members
SUGI Guitar. Founding member.
KEY-YAN Bass. Founding member.
History
2000
On August 30, the single “Bullpen Catcher’s Dream” (ブルペン キャッチャーズ ドリーム) was released.
2001
On February 14, the mini-album Hou (鳳) was released.
2002
On May 29, the single “Niku Cup” (肉コップ) was released. Recordings from this release onward were issued through Mimikajiru, an independent label established within Nippon Television Music Corporation.
On October 23, the album Mimijiru (耳噛じる) was released. The band subsequently signed with the major label VAP.
2003
On September 3, the single Enzui Tsukiwaru (延髄突き割る) was released.
2004
On January 21, the album Kusoban (糞盤) was released.
On June 23, the single “Rock Bankurawase/Minoreba☆Rock” (ロック番狂わせ/ミノレバ☆ロック) was released.
On November 25, the single “Houchou Hasami Cutter Knife Dosu Kiri/Rei Rei Rei Rei Rei Rei Rei Rei Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma” (包丁・ハサミ・カッター・ナイフ・ドス・キリ/霊霊霊霊霊霊霊霊魔魔魔魔魔魔魔魔) was released.
2005
On March 2, the album Rokkinpo Goroshi (ロッキンポ殺し) was released.
On September 15, the video release Debu Vs Debu: Debu tai Debu (デブ対デブ) was released.
On November 16, the single “Zawa... Zawa... Za... Zawa... Zawa” (ざわ…ざわ…ざ‥ざわ……ざわ) was released.
2006
On July 5, the single “Koi no Megalover” (恋のメガラバ) was released.
2007
On March 14, the album Buiikikaesu (ぶっ生き返す) was released.
2008
On March 19, the video release Deco Vs Deco: Deko tai Deko (デコ対デコ) was released.
On July 9, the single “Tsume Tsume Tsume/‘F’” (爪爪爪/「F」) was released.
On October 27, the band announced a temporary suspension of live activities for the surgical removal of a cyst on Daisuke-han’s vocal cords and his post-operative rehabilitation.
2009
On August 13, the band announced that Maximum the Ryo-kun had contracted influenza A. On a doctor’s advice, it canceled its scheduled appearance at the RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL on August 14 and postponed the Jigoku Ezu (地獄絵図) concerts scheduled for August 18 and 20.
On November 6, the band announced that it would suspend live activities for the time being due to Nao’s pregnancy.
2011
On February 3, the band announced the release of a new song on its official website and released the video clip for “Chiisana Kimi no Te” (小さな君の手).
On March 23, the single Greatest the Hits 2011–2011 (グレイテスト・ザ・ヒッツ 2011〜2011) was released.
2013
On July 26, the video clip for the title track of the album Yoshu Fukushu (予襲復讐), scheduled for release on July 31, was released.
On July 31, the album Yoshu Fukushu was released.
2014
On March 6, Yoshu Fukushu received the Grand Prize at the 6th CD Shop Awards.
2015
On June 2, at Shiroi Boudou: Ano Koro, Bokura wa Shiro T Datta (白い暴動 〜あの頃、僕らは白Tだった〜) at Match Vox in Hachioji, Tokyo, the band announced that it would suspend live activities due to Nao’s efforts to conceive.
On November 18, the video release Deka Vs Deka: Deka tai Deka (デカ対デカ) was released.
2016
On March 9, Deka Vs Deka: Deka tai Deka received the Live Work Award at the 8th CD Shop Awards 2016.
2018
On September 15, at Kishidan Banpaku 2018: Bousou Bakuhon Bakushou Sengen (氣志團万博 2018 ～房総爆音爆勝宣言～), organized by Kishidan, the band announced that it would suspend live activities for the time being and cancel its scheduled event appearances.
On September 17, at OSAKA HAZIKETEMAZARE FESTIVAL2018, organized by HEY-SMITH, the band again announced that it would suspend live activities because Daisuke-han had been diagnosed with a hernia and required emergency surgery.
On September 18, the music video for “Haikei VAP-dono” (拝啓VAP殿), its first song in five and a half years, was released. The band transferred from VAP to Warner Music Japan.
On November 25, the music video for “maximum the hormone II: Korekara no Menkata Kotteri no Hanashi wo Shiyou” (maximum the hormone II～これからの麺カタコッテリの話をしよう～), included on the CD accompanying the book Korekara no Menkata Kotteri no Hanashi wo Shiyou (これからの麺カタコッテリの話をしよう), scheduled for publication on November 28, was released.
On November 28, the book Korekara no Menkata Kotteri no Hanashi wo Shiyou was published.
2019
On May 5, the band made a surprise appearance on the stage of VIVA LA ROCK 2019, where Maximum the Hormone 2nd Shop (Korona Namore Momo) made its first appearance, and announced the resumption of live activities.
On November 10, the band announced that it would refrain from live activities for the remainder of the year due to Maximum the Ryo-kun’s poor health.
2020
On December 7, the “Horumon no Shinkyoku Ore Nara Kou Utau Senshuken!!” contest was held as a segment of Gachinko the Hormone Season 2 on the band’s official YouTube channel. Participating artists included Tamio Okuda of Unicorn, Kazutoshi Sakurai of Mr.Children, and TERU of GLAY.
On December 19, “KAMIGAMI-Kamigami-” (KAMIGAMI-神噛-) was selected as the opening theme for the web anime Record of Ragnarok.
2021
In March, ESSENTIALS, an item containing an original mask and LUST, the final single by Korona Namore Momo, also known as Maximum the Hormone 2nd Shop, was released.
On April 4, the Hara Peko Kanshasai Daiichidan: Watashi wo Mitsukete♥Horumon (腹ペコ感謝祭第一弾「私を見つけて❤︎ホルモン」) event was held to commemorate the release of ESSENTIALS.
2022
On January 12, the first video release in six years, Dhurha Vs Dhurha: Zura tai Zura (ヅラ対ヅラ), was released.
On September 19, “Hawatari 2 Oku Senchi” (刃渡り2億センチ) was selected as the insert song and ending theme for the television anime Chainsaw Man, which began airing on TV Tokyo affiliates in October.
On October 26, television-edit versions of “Hawatari 2 Oku Senchi” and “KAMIGAMI-Kamigami-” began streaming through subscription services for the first time under the name “Maximum the Hormone Ichibu no Anime Theme Senyou Kasetsu Channel” (マキシマム ザ ホルモン 一部のアニメテーマ専用仮設チャンネル).
2023
On July 29, a single CD containing “Koi no America” (恋のアメリカ) was released in advance under the concealed title “〇〇〇〇〇〇※”, with its title and lyrics withheld, at Hara Peko Ecohiki affiliated restaurants, mainly those where fans worked. The band also organized “Horumon no Shinkyoku Ore ni wa Kou Kikoeru Senshuken!!”, a contest in which participants submitted predicted song titles and misheard lyrics and competed based on their accuracy rates.
2024
On March 22, the band provided the theme song for the film Confession, released on May 31 that year.
On June 19, the single Kisei Rush (キ・セ・イ・ラッシュ) was released.
2025
On June 22, the band appeared at B’z presents UNITE #02, a rock project organized by B’z.
On September 19, it provided “Hawatari 2 Oku Senchi (Zentai Suitei 70% Kaikin Edit)” (刃渡り2億センチ（全体推定70％解禁edit）) as an insert song for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.
2026
On January 15, Buiikikaesu was certified Double Platinum in the Recording Industry Association of Japan’s December 2025 Gold Disc Certified Works, 19 years after its 2007 release.
On April 10, the band’s self-organized event Kaettekita Jigoku Ezu: Cosplay Gentei Jigoku (帰ってきた地獄絵図～コスプレ限定地獄～), held in November 2025 for the first time in 15 years, was exclusively streamed on ABEMA Premium.
On June 19, during the MAPPA 15th Anniversary Lineup Announcement streamed that day, the band announced that it had provided the new song “All the Lynch All the Mince” (オール・ザ・リンチ・オール・ザ・ミンチ（ALL THE LYNCH!! ALL THE MINCE!!）) as the opening theme for the Chainsaw Man smartphone game announced at the event.
On July 10, the band announced that it had been appointed ambassador for October 31 of a music festival commemorating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, scheduled to be held on October 31 and November 1 that year.
Sources
- Wikidata entity Q268007.
- en.wikipedia, Maximum the Hormone (revision 1357160963), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- ja.wikipedia, マキシマム ザ ホルモン (revision 110289868), CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photograph: Maximum the Hormone.jpg - Press shot via Deezer (artist 5284658).