moon drop

Overview

moon drop is a four-piece Japanese rock band signed to Victor Entertainment / Getting Better Records. Formed in Ise, Mie Prefecture in 2014, the band built its following through word of mouth and relentless live work during its indie years, before making its major debut in January 2023.

Members

• Hyuuya Hamaguchi: vocals / guitar. From Mie Prefecture. Writes the lyrics and music for almost all of the band's songs. Favorite artist: back number.
• Takumasa Shimizu: guitar. From Mie Prefecture. Favorite artist: ELLEGARDEN.
• Tomoya Saka: bass / backing vocals. From Fukui Prefecture. Co-composes many songs alongside Hamaguchi. Favorite artist: Maximum the Hormone.
• Kazuki Hara: drums. From Tokyo. Favorite artist: ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION.

Career

2014–2017

moon drop was formed in March 2014 in Ise, Mie, centered on vocalist/guitarist Hyuuya Hamaguchi and guitarist Takumasa Shimizu. In March 2017 the band announced it had joined TRUST RECORDS × BUNS RECORDS.

2018–2020

Bassist Tomoya Saka joined in May 2018, and the band released its first nationally distributed record, the 1st mini album "Hanataba no Kawari ni" (花束のかわりに). Drummer Kazuki Hara joined in February 2019, completing the current lineup. In November 2020 the band announced its move to D.T.O.30., a joint label of TRUST RECORDS and Getting Better Records.

2021–2022

The 3rd mini album "Haikei Higeki no Heroine" (拝啓 悲劇のヒロイン) arrived in January 2021. Its track "Boku to Ita Hou ga Iin ja Nai" spread by word of mouth and ranked No. 3 on the 2021 annual USEN HIT Indies ranking. The 1st full album "Kono Tenohira ga Mada Kimi wo Oboete Iru" followed in January 2022, and its track "Nete mo Samete mo" hit No. 1 on the February 2022 monthly USEN HIT Indies ranking. The band's first one-man shows in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka in May 2022 sold out completely, as did a 10-date nationwide two-man/multi-act tour in September. The singles "Time Machine" (November) and "Adam to Eve" (December) were also released that year.

2023

In January, a one-man show at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM sold out the day tickets went on general sale, and the band used the occasion to announce its major debut on Victor Entertainment / Getting Better Records. It debuted with the digital single "Ai no Nuime" and followed with the 2nd full album "Boku no Uta de Kimi ni Eien wo" as a digital release. A nationwide tour in March, including Shibuya Spotify O-EAST, sold out every date. From May the band appeared at many large spring and summer festivals, starting with VIVA LA ROCK, JAPAN JAM and METROCK, drawing crowds beyond venue capacity. Singles "Himegoto" (June), "Banka no Akashi" (August) and "Dou ni mo Naran wa" (September) were released, and in September a nationwide tour including its largest venue to date, EX THEATER ROPPONGI, sold out every date.

2024

"Kimi no Neko ni Naritai" was released on January 31. The 3rd full album "Kimi ni Mita Kisetsu" arrived digitally on Valentine's Day (February 14) and on CD on White Day (March 14). On March 21 the band marked its 10th anniversary and kicked off its first nationwide one-man tour, finishing at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA; every date sold out. "Senkou Hanabi" followed in June, and in July "Kaze no Otayori" was released as the ending theme for "Yaiteru Futari Kousai 0-nichi Kekkon kara Koi wo Hajimeyou". In September the band held a 10th-anniversary nationwide one-man tour, with its first-ever hall shows in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, and released the live album "Zento Youyou Love Story" Live at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA. "Yame ni Shite" came out in November.

2025

The album "Sweetest" was released on January 15, and the single "Blue Fish" (ブルーフィッシュ) followed on August 20.

Radio

The band has hosted or appeared on ZIP-FM "WEAR MUSIC" (April 2022–March 2023), ZIP-FM "FIGHTING!!MOONDROP!!" (April 2023–March 2024), Tokyo FM "RADIO BLAST powered by Fanpla Kit" (April 2023–March 2024), Interfm "Tokyo Enban Club" (April–June 2023) and FM Fukui "Update Evening" (April 2023–March 2024).

Musical Style

moon drop is a guitar-driven rock band whose songs are written almost entirely by Hyuuya Hamaguchi, with bassist Tomoya Saka co-composing many of them. The members' favorite artists, including back number, ELLEGARDEN, Maximum the Hormone and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, point to roots in the Japanese rock scene. Love is a recurring theme in song titles such as "Ai no Nuime" and "Kimi no Neko ni Naritai".