My First Story (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese rock band from Shibuya, Tokyo. Formed in 2011, the band currently consists of vocalist Hiroki Moriuchi, guitarist Teruki Nishizawa, bassist Nobuaki Katō, and drummer Shōhei Sasaki. Their debut album My First Story (2012) caught people's attention and put them in lineups of major music festivals. Their fourth studio album Antithese (2016) ranked 4th on Oricon chart, and directed their first Nippon Budokan live show, gathering 12,000.
History
2011–2012: Formation and earlier days
Having known Hiro through Pay Money to My Pain's vocalist K, producer Nori Outani suggested him to Sho in August 2011, when he was still mainly active in his previous band Fromus together with drummer Masack and bassist Nob. Only a little later, the newly founded formation decided to add another guitarist and Hiro remembered Teru who he had already tried to start a band with in their high school days. Their band name "My First Story" had been suggested by Pay Money to My Pain vocalist K.
In October 2011, they appeared in a music event sponsored by Sanei Shobo Co., which publishes the street fashion magazine Book (Ohlie), and performed in public for the first time. In November 2011, they appeared in a music event sponsored by the street fashion brand Subciety (Sub-society).
On April 4, 2012, eight months after the formation, they released their first full album, self-titled My First Story, that by 2013 had already sold 20,000 copies. This work was the first release from the record label Intact Records (established by Core Trust which operates Subciety). The music video of the lead song "Second Limit" was directed by Maxilla, a video production team known for coldrain, Crossfaith, and SiM. The band's first independent show, “Highest Life Party Vol. 1”, held in June sold out immediately. On August 19, 2012, they appeared at the Summer Sonic Festival.
2013–2015: Japan tours and The Story is My Life and Kyogen Neurose
On February 6, 2013, the second album The Story is My Life released. After the release, the band supported All Time Low on their Japan tour, followed by their own tour “The Story Is My Life”, which sold out at every venue. They appeared in several music festivals such as Punkspring, Rock in Japan Festival, Summer Sonic Festival, and many more.
The band joined Swanky Dank, Blue Encount and Air Swell, 3 other indie bands, to make a split album project, titled Boneds in the beginning of 2014. In conjunction with the album release, the 4 bands held a nationwide Boneds tour and an accompanying documentary & DVD of the tour released later that year in April.
On February 5, 2014, the first live DVD The End of the Beginning Tour Final Oneman Show at Ebisu Liquidroom released. In June, the band held a duo live with nano, “Highest Life Party Vol. 4 & United We Rock On”, who collaborated with the band for her single “Savior of Song”.
On July 16, the second single “Black Rail” released.
On September 24, the third single "Fukyagaku Replace" (不可逆リプレイス, Fukagyaku Ripureisu) released. The song was used as the ending theme for the anime Nobunaga Concerto.
On October 29, 2014, the band's third album Kyogen Neurose (虚言 Neurose) was released, including the song "Someday" that was written as a tribute song to K who died in December 2012. The album ranked number 14 on the Oricon charts. The Itsuwari Neurose tour was held over 2 months, with the final at Shinkiba Studio Coast. Several shows had to be postponed due to vocalist Hiro and drummer Masack becoming sick with influenza.
In May through June 2015, the band appeared on a tour with fellow Intact Records labelmates, titled “My First Story vs Another Story”.
On May 27, the second live DVD Itsuwari Neurose Tour Final at Shinkiba Studio Coast released.
On August 5, the fourth single “Alone” released. The single was made in collaboration with Project Hal and used in a TVCM for it.
2015–2016: Antithese and "We're Just Waiting 4 You" In October 2015, guitarist and leader Sho announced he'd go on hiatus due to personal circumstances. On December 2, Sho performed in his last oneman show before his hiatus. The live, “We Are Not Alone – Sho Time !!-”, was dedicated to him. During Sho's last performance with the band at Countdown Japan 15/16, vocalist Hiro started to cry as he informed the audience about it being their last 5-men-show before Sho would leave for his hiatus. Despite his absence onstage with his band members, Sho remains present in My First Story's following albums, credited as composer or sound producer.