The Birthday (Kazuyuki Kuhara, Haruki Hirai, Kenji Fujii) (JP)

The Birthday
(Kazuyuki Kuhara, Haruki Hirai, Kenji Fujii)

Guitar & Vocal: Kenji Fujii
Bass & Vocal: Haruki Hirai
Drums & Vocal: Kazuyuki Kuhara

Japanese garage rock legends The Birthday were formed in September 2005, centered around Yusuke Chiba (Vocal/Guitar).

The band made their major debut with the single “stupid” under Universal Music in August 2006, followed by their first album “Rollers Romantics” later that autumn.

On August 6, 2010, after their performance at ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL ’10, guitarist Akinobu Imae left the band. Soon after, Kenji Fujii joined as guitarist and began working with the band on their fifth album.

Following the single “Nazeka Kyou wa” in April 2011, the band released their fifth album “I’M JUST A DOG” in June.

Between 2012 and 2021, The Birthday released six albums:
“VISION,” “COME TOGETHER,” “BLOOD AND LOVE CIRCUS,” “NOMAD,” “VIVIAN KILLERS,” and “Sunburst.”
These works produced many iconic rock songs beloved by fans, including “Sayonara Saishuuheiki,” “Kusottare no Sekai,” “Aozora,” and “OH BABY.”

On December 7, 2022, the band released the EP “Tsukiyo no Zankyo ep.”, featuring four new tracks including “LOVE ROCKETS,” the opening theme for the film “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.”

On November 26, 2023, Yusuke Chiba passed away peacefully.

On April 3, 2024, the EP “April” was released, consisting of works the three remaining members completed from materials Chiba had been working on during his lifetime.

Later that year, on July 10, Chiba’s birthday, the band released a Blu-ray and vinyl recording of the final show from The Birthday TOUR 2022 “GO WEST. YOUNGMAN” held at Nakano Sunplaza.

Since summer 2024, The Birthday has resumed activities under the lineup of Kazuyuki Kuhara, Haruki Hirai, and Kenji Fujii.

In September 2025, the band marks their 20th anniversary.