Maximum The Hormone

Maximum the Hormone
Maximum the Hormone performing at Knotfest in USA, 2014.
Background information
Origin	Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan
Genres	Nu metal hardcore punk
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Sky, Mimikajiru, VAP
Website	www.55mth.com
Members	Daisuke-han Nao Maximum the Ryo-kun Ue-chan
Past members	Sugi Key

Maximum the Hormone (マキシマムザホルモン, Makishimamu Za Horumon^?) is a Japanese Nu metal band from Hachiōji, Tokyo. Their lineup has consisted of Daisuke-han, Nao, Maximum the Ryo-kun, and Ue-chan since 1999. Each member alternates singing lead vocals, often within the same song, with the exception of Ue-chan, 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, pop, funk, hip hop 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. Their music videos often have a tongue-in-cheek aspect as well, such as "Rolling1000t00n", which features an underdog (with the requisite karate training montage) facing up to a bully, or "Koi no Mega Lover", which features an awkward young man whose clumsy amorous advances are rejected by a beautiful girl at a party.

Maximum the Hormone was formed in 1998 by vocalist Daisuke Tsuda and drummer Nao Kawakita. After recruiting guitarist Key and bassist Sugi, and having played some 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 the original lineup. At that time Daisuke wrote his lyrics completely in English, and 'Maximum the Hormone' was also written in Latin letters. However, Key and Sugi left the band in 1999.

The band then recruited Nao's younger brother Ryo, who had played the guitar since junior high school and could also sing. From then on, Ryo became the band's co-lead vocalist, handling clean vocals while Daisuke was responsible for the harsh vocals and raps. The lineup was completed by bassist Ue joining shortly after Ryo. After that major change the band 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.