Character

Career

2011–2015: Formation

In 2011, the band was formed from their high school's light music club. Before entering the school, Haruko Nagaya and Issei Kobayashi had connected on social media, discussing joining the club. Both wanted to be the lead vocalist, but ultimately Nagaya was given the position. Peppe, the keyboardist, joined the band after Nagaya invited her to the high school entrance ceremony. Natsumi Amano, the bassist for the club, left after a month, so Kobayashi invited his childhood friend Shingo Anami, who decided to join after hearing Nagaya sing. They held their first live performance on July 4, 2012, which became the band's founding anniversary. The band's name was derived from the members mishearing "green-yellow vegetables" (緑黄色野菜, ryokuoushoku yasai) as "green-yellow society" (緑黄色社会, ryokuoushoku shakai) after a member pointed out the vegetable juice Nagaya was drinking. In 2013, they participated in the music festival Senkou Riot, placing as runner-up in the grand prix. On December 10, 2015, drummer Yasuchika Sugie left the band.

2017–present: Major label debut

On January 11, 2017, their first extended play (EP) Nice To Meet You?? was released nationwide by Tower Records. Nagaya and Peppe modeled for Tower Records' apparel brand, Wearthemusic. Ryokuoushoku Shakai held their one-man live in Nagoya on April 7.

On March 14, 2018, the band released their eponymous first studio album. The song "Little Singer", based on En Okita's novel Kimi ni Todoke, Hajime no Uta (きみに届け、始まりの歌 (lit. 'Sending to You, Song of Beginning')), was completed in June and released on August 4. On August 5, Ryokuoushoku Shakai appeared at the Rock in Japan Festival. The band made their major label debut under Epic Records Japan on November 7 with their EP Afureta Mizu no Yukue.

The band released their EP Shiawase on May 29, 2019. Ryokuoushoku Shakai's official fan club "Milestone" opened on November 5.

On April 22, 2020, the band's first studio album Singalong was released digitally; the physical release was scheduled to be on the same day, but due to the declaration of a state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed until September 30. One of the songs on the album, "Mela!", became the band's first song to exceed 300 million streaming views, and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. On July 24, they streamed a live concert titled "Singalong Tour 2020: Natsu wo Ikiru", where they performed their new song "Natsu wo Ikiru" for the first time.

From May 23, 2021, the band embarked on their first hall tour, Ryokushaka Keikaku 2021. Their single "Litmus" was released on August 25, and its music video won the Best Rock Video at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards Japan.

Their third studio album, Actor, was released on January 26, 2022, accompanied by the Actor Tour 2022, which commenced on March 20 with 20 performances at 19 venues throughout Japan. On July 4, marking the tenth anniversary of the group's formation, the single "Breath" was released. The band held their inaugural solo concerts on September 16 and 17 at the Nippon Budokan, with a total attendance of 16,000 people over the two days. On December 31, they performed "Mela!" at the 73rd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, marking their debut appearance on the year-end show.

Members

Current members

Haruko Nagaya (長屋 晴子, Nagaya Haruko) – leading vocals, guitar (2011–present)

Issei Kobayashi (小林 壱誓, Kobayashi Issei) – guitar, backing vocals (2011–present)

Peppe (ペッぺ) – keyboard, backing vocals (2011–present)

Shingo Anami (穴見 真吾, Anami Shingo) – bass, backing vocals (2011–present)

Former members

Natsumi Amano (天野 夏実, Amano Natsumi) – bass (2011)

Yasuchika Sugie (杉江 泰周, Sugie Yasuchika) – drums (2011–2015)

Discography