The Japanese alternative rock band Straightener formed in Tokyo in 1998. Atsushi Horie, Straightener's vocalist and guitarist, initially launched the group as a duo with drummer Shinpei Nakayama. This two-piece incarnation of the group debuted with Straighten It Up in 2000, followed by Error in 2001 and Skeletonized in 2002. Bassist Hidekazu Hinata joined the lineup one year later, which beefed up the band's sound. Straightener released the single "Traveling Gargoyle," which reached Number 87 on the Oricon Singles chart and marked the start of the band's tenure as a major-label act. Lost World's Anthology, the group's debut album, was released in 2004, followed by Title — a Number 23 hit on the Oricon Albums chart — in 2005. With 2007's Linear, the group reached the Top 10 for the first time, then remained there with 2009's Nexus and 2010's Creatures. All three albums featured a Top 10 single, as well, including 2007's Six Day Wonder" and 2010's "Man-Like Creatures." During the 2010s, Straightener remained a fixture on the Oricon charts with albums like 2016's Cold Disc (which peaked at Number 6) and 2018's Future Soundtrack (which hit Number 11). 2020's Applause climbed to Number 18 and produced the hit single "Graffiti," which topped out at Number 8. Three years later, the group returned to the charts with "246."
