[1] Growing up on Sado Island, the brothers' musical influence came from their father who taught them to play guitar.
In 2002 they entered an audition held by a major music company and were selected as one of five finalists from 37,000 applicants, winning the right to make a professional debut.
Tokyograph News also provided the following explanation, both for the formation of the group, and their eventual dissolution: "Originally from the island of Sadogashima in the Niigata Prefecture, the pair made their debut as middle schoolers in 2003.
They recalled that playing their music had been sad and painful at first, but with the support of their fans they eventually grew to enjoy it.
"[3] In light of the above, the choice to call themselves Hirakawachi 1-chome may have been a further effort to gain their mother's attention, via their media exposure, as her whereabouts were unknown at that time.