A Brief Overview Of Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is a post-rock group from Montreal, Canada. They are most widely known for their lengthy songs and extensive and visual live shows. Their recordings and performances generally consist of electric guitars and percussion instruments, however more obscure instruments such as French horns and glockenspiels have been known to make appearances.

The band got their name from an ambiguous Japanese film about a motorcycle gang, the “Black Emperors”. The number of people in the group is never given, ranging anywhere from 9 to 20 at any given moment. The group was on a lengthy break for a few years so that its various members could focus on other endeavors, though they are scheduled to perform together at an upcoming English festival.

The band’s lack of a front man and ever changing line-up is partly explained by their consideration that their music is greater than the group. They also have a strict moratorium on personal interviews and group photos. Their desire for the listener to disregard trivial details and focus on the music is the motive behind their strange philosophy.

In their rare interviews, several members of GYBE stress that big corporations are what is wrong with the American economy and the media in general. Many of their song and album notes refer to the trials and wrongdoings of corporate media. They even included an image onto the back insert of their latest album that depicts the military-industrial complex of America and major record labels as one.

Fans of the group cite their live performances as exciting and random occurrences. Since the band has no singers they utilize a score of visual imageries in their shows. These films, which are usually recorded and produced by one of the group’s mainstay members, are meant to tie the music and its message together for the audience.

In 2003, Godspeed’s members were mistaken for a group of terrorists in a small Oklahoma town. The band and their crew was traveling through the states on tour when, at a gas station, the attendant became convinced that something was wrong. The local police were summoned after the worried employee convinced another customer to alert them.

The small town cops arrived and a full search and seizure ensued on the groups two van’s. The groups Canadian scruffiness coupled with the plethora of anti-government documents found in their possession led the officers to call the FBI. The band was immediately questioned and detained before authorities finally decided to release them. Although they made it in time for their next show, the occurrence no doubt fueled GYBE’s anarchist outlook.

Godspeed You! Black Emperors have released three full albums since the early 90s. During that time they have also released several EPs and singles. And because they encourage fans to record their live concerts, several GYBE songs have come out without ever having been officially recorded. Although extremely rare, the band has lent a few songs to a handful of movie soundtracks as well.

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