People In The Box

波多野裕文 (Hatano Hirofumi): guitar, piano, and vocals (2005 - present)

山口大吾 (Daigo Yamaguchi): drums and percussion (2007 - present)

福井健太 (Kenta Fukui): bass (2008 - present)

上田五郎 (Goro Ueda): drums (2005)

中山敦史 (Atsushi Nakayama): bass (2005 - 2008)

History

Formation (2005 - 2007)

In 2005, People In The Box was formed by 波多野裕文 (Hatano Hirofumi on guitar/vox, 上田五郎 (Goro Ueda) on drums, and 中山敦史 (Atsushi Nakayama) on bass. The trio self-released Cityscapes and Another Morning EP (2005), both of which have become rare to find. Ueda left the band later that year 2005 and was replaced by 山口大吾 (Daigo Yamaguchi) after Yamaguchi met Hatano at a PITB live show.

First Era (2007 - 2011)

In 2007, they signed onto 残響レコード and released Rabbit Hole (06.06.07) and Frog Queen (12.05.07). The band subsequently embarked on their first one man tour in January and February 2008. After a concert at 下北沢SHELTER on May 29, 2008, Nakayama left the band. A few weeks later, he was replaced by 福井健太 (Kenta Fukui) on June 5. In the following months, the band would collaborate on the split singles 『A SIDE SPLIT Vol.2 〜water field〜』(08.06.08) and 『A SIDE SPLIT Vol.3 〜snow field〜』(11.05.08) with bands シュノーケル, BOO BEE BENZ, and ANATAKIKOU. Later that year, People In The Box would release Bird Hotel (12.03.08).

The following year, the band would sign onto Crown Records and release their debut record Ghost Apple (14.10.09). In 2010, they released their first single, Sky Mouth (02.17.10), and second full length album, Family Record (10.06.10). In 2011, they wrapped up their first era by releasing Lovely Taboos (10.17.11) through 残響レコード. The three tracks are meant to summarize their work up until that point.

This era is notable for Hatano’s Fender Jaguar, tuned up one and a half steps (to G), and pop sensibilities layered on top of odd time signature changes.

Second Era (2012 - 2018)

Citizen Soul (01.18.12) marks the beginning of their second era with the introduction of acoustic guitar. PITB had drifted away from odd time signatures and into more alternative rock sensibilities at this point. 2012 was their most accomplished year, having released: Cut One, their first live album, initially sold alongside copies of Citizen SoulLost Tapes (08.11.12), a rerecording of the songs on the A SIDE SPLIT singlesCut Two (10.03.12), their second live albumAve Materia (11.07.12), their third full album In 2013, they released their fourth album Weather Report (10.16.13). Weather Report is notable for being 21 songs released as one track. It peaked at 15 on the Oricon charts, their highest charting album to date. Following the release of Weather Report, they went on a three month hiatus.

In 2014, they released their 5th full length album, Wall Window (08.06.14) alongside their single 聖者たち [The Saints] (08.06.14). 聖者たち was used as the ending song for the anime Tokyo Ghoul. Wall, Window and 聖者たち are their most commercial sounding releases to date, which initially took fans by surprise. The album lacks the complex and layered approach found on prior albums. This album marks the return of Hatano’s Telecaster (from before their days with 残響レコード) and introduction of piano.

In the following year, People In The Box released Calm Society (03.11.15), their final single through 残響レコード. Their 5th mini album, Talky Organs (09.02.15), was released later that year through Crown Records. Calm Society and Talky Organs are seen as complimentary releases. Both mark a return to the more layered production PITB became known for. In 2016, they released Cut Four (02.24.16), their first tour with shows in all 47 prefectures across Japan. Cut Four was also their first live DVD to be released through Crown Records.

To commemorate their 10th anniversary, they released their first compilation Things Discovered (01.18.17). The first disc of Things Discovered includes a song celebrating their first ten years as well as re-recordings and never before heard instrumentals. The second disc are the favorite tracks of the members, with tracks 1~4 being Hatano’s, 5~8 being Fukui’s, and 9~12 being Yamaguchi’s.

Third Era (2018 - Present)

Their current era began with the release of Kodomo Rengou (01.24.18), nearly a year following Things Discovered. The production itself took around a year, the longest production period for any PITB album up until that point. Because of this, each song has a distinct character. The songs on this album continue the trend of dramatic lyrics, yet have varied dynamics not found as much on past works. The works of this era feel more theatrical and varied as a result.

In the following year, they released Tabula Rasa (09.07.2019), an album with a much more relaxed sound compared to Kodomo Rengou. This was their first album to be released under their new record label, Bauxite Music Wy. In the same year, their works (minus the Live DVDs) were added to streaming services.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a pause on their releases. They continued to tour in this time, as marked by their sixth live DVD, Cut Six (10.02.2021). There would not be a new album until 2023, with the release of Camera Obscura (05.10.23). This marks the longest wait between studio albums for the band at four years. The album itself was recording during the height of COVID, which also factored into the long production time. In 2024, they released their first live album following the pandemic, Cut Seven (03.01.24).

In October 2026, the band announced World Technique, their first original album in three years.

Further Info

PITB

Hatano has said he refuses to reissue early works, which includes rereleasing or rearranging songs from Cityscapes and Another MorningMost of their singles and live DVDs were only available at live venues prior to being added to streaming services in 2019.People In The Box were often compared to perfect piano lesson in their early days, with Hatano noting great admiration for the band in the late 2000s. The two shared a stage on November 15, 2008 at Shibuya O-Nest in TokyoDespite having their debut through Crown Records, 残響レコード would continue to manage them up until 2015Lovely Taboos was their only release mastered overseasLive shows often have varying renditions of songs, and are most notably seen in Cut One, Cut Three, and Cut FiveOccasionally, they host monthly live shows at Club Quattro with live sets curated by individual band membersBeginning in 2021, the band would do infrequent live streams which can be found on their official YouTube account

波多野裕文 (Hatano Hirofumi)

Born August 25From FukuokaHirofumi dropped out of junior high school due to bullying. Their song 八月 off Ave Materia is about this topic. Since then, he dedicated most of his life on music.He recorded on a large amount of solo ambient works on a 4-track in 2000. He has no intention of selling these works but some of them can be found on his YouTube channel.He was in a band called Soul Kitchen in the early 2000s which sung original songs in English.Hatano begun working on a solo project called Spielberg, with one song, “De Niro”, contributed to 残響record compilation vol. 4.In 2016, he released his first solo album 『僕が毎日を過ごした場所』 (The Place Where I Spent My Days) (06.30.16)In 2017, he formed the duo known as “橋本絵莉子波多野裕文” (Hashimoto Eriko & Hatano Hirofumi) with 橋本絵莉子 (Hashimoto Eriko) of Chatmonchy. They released their eponymous debut album later that year.Hatano cites a wide range of influences from progressive rock, EDM, new wave, metal, and jazz, yet states his biggest influence are alternative rock acts like early Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth.

山口大吾 (Daigo Yamaguchi)

Born June 27From FukuokaHe began playing percussion in his high school bandYamaguchi did not like most of PITB’s pre-Rabbit Hole work, yet cites Alice as a favourite of hisDespite being invited to join PITB in 2005, he did not officially join until February 2007Besides PITB, he also plays in acid android, the solo project of L’Arc～en～Ciel drummer YukihiroBeginning in 2010, he has started drum clinics and in 2012 he began offering private drum lessonsHe is the first artist in Japan to have his own signature model with drum company wincentSince 2014, he’s played a custom made drum set

福井健太 (Kenta Fukui)

Born May 23From GifuFriends with the members of cinema staff, who introduced them to PITBPrior to joining PITB, he was training to become a professional chefThe band’s first show with Fukui was a secret show under the name ハッピーターンズ (Happy Turns)After joining the band, he felt a skill gap between himself and the others. He underwent intensive training to catch up, resulting in the distinct basslines of Family Record.Fukui is the youngest member of the band

Discography

Mini-Albums

Rabbit Hole (06.06.2007)Bird Hotel (12.03.2008)Ghost Apple(10.14.2009)Citizen Soul (01.18.2012)Talky Organs (09.02.2016)

Albums

Frog Queen (12.05.2007)Family Record (10.06.2010)Ave Materia (11.07.2012)Weather Report (10.16.2013)Wall, Window (08.06.2014)Kodomo Rengou (01.24.2018)Tabula Rasa (09.04.2019)Camera Obscura (05.09.2023)World Technique(11.11.2026)

Singles

Sky Mouth (02.17.2010)Lovely Taboos (10.17.2011)Lost Tapes (08.11.2012)The Saints (08.06.2014Calm Society (03.11.2016)

Live Albums

Cut One (01.18.2012)Cut Two (10.03.2012)Cut Three (04.04.2014)Cut Four (02.24.2016)Cut Five (08.02.2017)Cut Six (10.02.2021)Cut Seven (03.01.2024)

Compilations

Things Discovered (01.18.2017)

Misc.

Cityscapes - Album (Unknown)A SIDE SPLIT Vol.2 〜water field〜 (08.06.2008) - 「ユリイカ」 A SIDE SPLIT Vol.3 〜snow field〜 (11.05.2008) -「見えない警察のための」 残響record Compilation vol.4 (08.20.2014) -「赤札」Plastic Tree Tribute〜Transparent Branches〜 (09.06.2017) -「エンジェルダスト」CHATMONCHY Tribute 〜My CHATMONCHY〜 (03.28.2018) -「初日の出」"Dreams Never End" ART-SCHOOL 25th Anniversary Tribute Album (08.20.2025) - 「ミーンストリート」

Links

https://www.peopleinthebox.com

https://10th.peopleinthebox.com

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_In_The_Box

https://www.instagram.com/people_in_the_box

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM3Q_zDoSWbQv_WPdMCWZ_Q

https://lit.link/en/peopleinthebox

https://www.youtube.com/@hatanohirofumi

https://yamaguchidaigo.com/profile/

https://www.instagram.com/godaigochan

https://www.instagram.com/fukuikenta_