Godspeed You! Black Emperor Explained

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Landscape:yes
Origin:Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Discography:Godspeed You! Black Emperor discography
Current Members:
Past Members:
  • Mark Littlefair
  • Thea Pratt
  • Bruce Cawdron
  • Norsola Johnson
  • Roger Tellier-Craig
  • Grayson Walker
  • Christophe
  • Fluffy Erskine

Godspeed You! Black Emperor (sometimes abbreviated to GY!BE or Godspeed)[1] [2] is a Canadian post-rock band that originated in Montreal, Quebec in 1994. The group releases recordings through Constellation, an independent record label also located in Montreal. After the release of their debut album, F♯ A♯ ∞, in 1997, the group toured regularly from 1998 to 2003. Their second album, 2000's Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven, received critical acclaim and has been named as one of the best albums of the decade.[3] This was followed by 2002's Yanqui U.X.O. In 2003, the band went on hiatus in order for members to pursue other musical interests. In the intervening period, the group was occasionally rumored to have broken up,[4] [5] but eventually reconvened in 2010. Since reforming, they have released four more albums: 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! (2012), which won the 2013 Polaris Music Prize; Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress (2015); Luciferian Towers (2017); and G_d's Pee at State's End! (2021).

The band has gained a dedicated cult following and remains very influential in the post-rock genre.[6] [7] [8] [9] Their music, mainly instrumental in nature, has been noted for its contrasts between ambient soundscapes and chaotic crescendos; use of field recordings and spoken word monologues; and focus on dystopian, anarchist and anti-war themes. Members of the group have formed a number of side projects, including Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, Fly Pan Am, HṚṢṬA, Esmerine, and Set Fire to Flames.

One of the band's best known songs, "East Hastings", from their 1997 album F♯ A♯ ∞, was used in the 2002 film 28 Days Later.[10] However, it does not appear on the film's soundtrack because the rights to the song could not be obtained.[11]

History

Godspeed You! Black Emperor was formed in 1994 in Montreal, Quebec, by Efrim Menuck (guitar), Mike Moya (guitar), and Mauro Pezzente (bass).[12] [13] The band took its name from God Speed You! Black Emperor, a 1976 Japanese black-and-white documentary by director Mitsuo Yanagimachi, which follows the exploits of a Japanese biker gang, the Black Emperors.[12] The band initially assembled after being offered a supporting act for another local band named Steak 72.[14] Thereafter, the trio performed live on a few separate occasions. Previously, the name "God Speed You Black Emperor!" had been used by Menuck on a limited cassette entitled All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling that had been recorded the year prior, with limited contributions by Pezzente on bass, although it would not be until 1994 that the actual band formed.

The band expanded and continued to perform live. According to Menuck, joining the group was simple: "It was like if anyone knew anybody who played an instrument and seemed like an okay person, they would sort of join up."[15] The group's number of members frequently changed during this time. Local musicians would often join the band for a handful of performances, then depart. The revolving door nature of the group's membership frequently caused it strain before the release of F♯ A♯ ∞.[15] After that release, the group stabilized around a nine-person lineup with Menuck, Moya and David Bryant on guitars, Pezzente and Thierry Amar on bass guitars, Aidan Girt and Bruce Cawdron on drums, and Sophie Trudeau and Norsola Johnson on violin and cello respectively. Moya would depart in 1998 to focus on HṚṢṬA, being replaced by Roger Tellier-Craig of Fly Pan Am.[16] The band released the CD versions of its first two albums and EP on the Kranky record label, and released the LPs through Constellation Records. All editions of their subsequent studio material have been released through Constellation.

In 2004, long-time guitarist Roger Tellier-Craig left the band on amicable terms to devote more time to Fly Pan Am.[17]

The group was once misconstrued as being a band of terrorists.[18] [19] After stopping at a local gas station for fuel in the town of Ardmore, Oklahoma, during their 2003 tour of the United States, the station attendant working that day believed the group of Canadians to be terrorists. She quickly passed a note to another customer asking them to call the police. When the local police appeared, the group was held until it could be questioned by the FBI. Although the police were suspicious of the band's anti-government documents and some photos it had (such as those of oil rigs), they found no incriminating evidence. After background checks were run, the ensemble was released from custody and continued on its way to its next show in Saint Louis. Efrim Menuck later spoke to the crowd during their appearance in Missouri about what happened to them and speculated that their origin was a motive for being released quickly ("It's a good thing we're nice white kids from Canada").[20] The incident was mentioned in Michael Moore's book Dude, Where's My Country?.[21]

In 2010, the band reported it was reuniting for an All Tomorrow's Parties music event in the UK as well as further US dates. Mike Moya re-joined the band for the reunion, while original cellist Norsola Johnson declined to participate. The band played a full North American and European tour in 2011, and more dates in the UK including an appearance at the ATP 'I'll Be Your Mirror' music festival in London.

The following year, the band appeared at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago, Coachella in California, and the All Tomorrow's Parties I'll Be Your Mirror festival in New York.[22] [23] Drummer Timothy Herzog began touring with the band after the departure of Bruce Cawdron.

In 2013, the band won the Polaris Music Prize, but it criticized the cost of the ceremony during the time of austerity, stating, "Maybe the next celebration should happen in a cruddier hall, without the corporate banners and culture overlords."[24]

On March 31, 2015, Godspeed You! Black Emperor released its fifth album, Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress. On September 22, 2017, the group released its sixth album, Luciferian Towers.

In early March 2021, the band announced its seventh album, G_d's Pee at State's End! through Constellation Records.[25]

In February 2022, a copy of All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling was posted to 4chan's music board.[26] [27] The band eventually uploaded the full audio of the tape to its official Bandcamp page on February 14.[28]

On February 24, 2024, the band debuted three new untitled songs at the Knockdown Center in New York City.[29]

Live concerts

Film loop projections are an important aspect of the group's live show, explained by Efrim Menuck as "[putting] the whole into context".[30]

The band is taper-friendly; they allow audience members to record their live performances, and fans often release new material before the band makes an official recording.[31]

The band toured Australia/New Zealand for the first time in February 2013, including a performance at the All Tomorrow's Parties 'I'll Be Your Mirror' festival in Melbourne on February 16.

The band toured China for the first time in April 2013, giving performances in Shanghai and Beijing,[32] and revisited China in March 2016.[33]

The band supported Nine Inch Nails on its Tension tour in October 2013, starting at the TD Garden in Boston on October 11.[34]

After a break for much of 2014 the band embarked on a busy schedule of concert and festival dates across North America, Europe and around the world during 2015 and 2016.[35] Two new songs were previewed in many of the shows picking up the fan titles "Buildings" and "Railroads" from the projections that accompanied them. The band also lent live performances of some of their older and current tracks to a revival of the 2005 work "monumental", by Canadian dance troupe, Holy Body Tattoo during 2016.[36]

As of 2024 they are touring in ten countries across Europe, the US and Canada[37]

Politics

The Guardian wrote that Godspeed You! Black Emperor "don't simply espouse anti-capitalism but embody it, rejecting the selfish individualism at its core", pointing out how the band's operation as a collective challenges traditional notions of hierarchy. In a 2012 interview, Menuck said, "All music is political, right? You either make music that pleases the king and his court, or you make music for the serfs outside the walls ... We started making this noise together when we were young and broke. Whatever politics we had were born out of living through a time when the dominant narrative was that everything was fine."[38]

In 2014, Menuck identified himself as an anarchist,[39] which helped influence the bands political activism[40] as they incorporated left-wing and progressive themes. For example, the liner notes to Yanqui U.X.O. describe the song "09-15-00" as "Ariel Sharon surrounded by 1,000 Israeli soldiers marching on al-Haram Ash-Sharif & provoking another Intifada,"[41] the back cover of that album depicts the relationships of several major record labels to the military–industrial complex. The liner notes of 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! criticize anti-environmentalist economic development and student protest suppression.

During the at State's End! tour, Menuck showed his support for trans people, writing on his amplifier "transphobes eat shit and die alone".[42] [43] Several of its songs also incorporate voice samples which express political sentiments, most notably "The Dead Flag Blues" (on F♯ A♯ ∞) and "BBF3" (on Slow Riot for New Zerø Kanada).

Members

Current

Former

Discography

See main article: Godspeed You! Black Emperor discography.

Studio albums

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Noted and Notable: New GY!BE and More, PopMatters. Stuart. Henderson. Popmatters.com. October 11, 2012. May 18, 2021. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205318/https://www.popmatters.com/164159-noted-and-notable-2495807397.html. live.
  2. Web site: Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Cstrecords.com. May 18, 2021. June 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210621075247/https://cstrecords.com/pages/godspeed-you-black-emperor. live.
  3. Web site: Greer . Nick . Top 100 Albums of the Decade . Sputnikmusic . 28 July 2019 . 11 June 2010 . February 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228221517/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/blog/2010/06/11/top-100-albums-of-the-decade-10-1/ . live .
  4. Web site: Godspeed You! Black Emperor quit over Iraq. February 17, 2008. NME. 2008. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205643/https://www.nme.com/news/music/godspeed-you-black-emperor-12-1329786. live.
  5. Web site: Godspeed Still on Hiatus, Not Completely Broken Up. https://web.archive.org/web/20080212174307/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/48600-godspeed-still-on-hiatus-not-completely-broken-up. February 11, 2008. February 12, 2008. October 8, 2009. Pitchfork. Phillips. Amy.
  6. Web site: Just Announced: Post-rock cult faves Godspeed You! Black Emperor headlining Union Transfer | The Key . Thekey.xpn.org . September 16, 2013 . April 18, 2014 . September 8, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170908201444/http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/09/16/just-announced-post-rock-cult-faves-godspeed-you-black-emperor-headlining-union-transfer/ . dead .
  7. Web site: Andre Paine . Godspeed You! Black Emperor, O2 Academy Brixton – music review – Music – Going Out – London Evening Standard . Standard.co.uk . November 22, 2013 . April 18, 2014 . February 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222204318/http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/music/godspeed-you-black-emperor-o2-academy-brixton--music-review-8957052.html . live .
  8. Web site: Gabrielle Dominique . Listen To The New Godspeed You! Black Emperor LP . Cmj.com . April 18, 2014 . February 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062011/http://www.cmj.com/news/stream-godspeed-you-black-emperors-first-album-in-10-years/ . live .
  9. Web site: Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! . Hangout.altsounds.com . April 18, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130318152256/http://hangout.altsounds.com/reviews/153386-review-godspeed-black-emperor-allelujah-bend-ascend.html . March 18, 2013 .
  10. Danny Boyle's Greatest Hits: From 'Trainspotting' to the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Rolling Stone. April 4, 2013. August 29, 2017. November 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171119092017/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/pictures/danny-boyle-s-greatest-hits-20130404/john-murphy-in-the-house-in-a-heartbeat-28-days-later-2002-0146858. live.
  11. News: Get used to the limelight. February 15, 2009. Guardian News and Media Limited. Empire, Kitty. Guardian.co.uk. London. November 10, 2002. Kitty Empire. January 2, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192553/http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2002/nov/10/features.review27. live.
  12. Web site: Interview in The Wire. 1998. David Keenan. May 27, 2011. April 17, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150417150659/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire.html. live.
  13. Colin Larkin. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music . Omnibus Press; 27 May 2011. . p. 1439.
  14. Web site: Godspeed You Black Emperor! interview with The Wire. February 24, 2009. 2000. Keenan, David. brainwashed.com. April 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150419174954/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire2.html. live.
  15. Web site: Godspeed You! Black Emperor interview with aMAZEzine!. February 14, 2009. 1998. St-Jacques, Marie-Douche. aMAZEzine. March 9, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090309193447/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/deadmetheney/interviews/amazeine.htm. live.
  16. Web site: Godspeed You ! Black Emperor en concert en France : Tournée 2015. evous. April 23, 2015. October 31, 2017. November 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005644/https://www.evous.fr/Godspeed-You-Black-Emperor-en-concert-en-France-1135503.html. live.
  17. Web site: Former Godspeed You! Black Emperor guitarist preps new cassette. Fact Mag. August 23, 2012. October 31, 2017. May 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170529093656/http://www.factmag.com/2012/08/23/former-godspeed-you-black-emperor-guitarist-preps-new-cassette/. live.
  18. Web site: Godspeed You! Black Emperor Collage . November 26, 2006 . Biehr, Steve, Marion Bornas, and Stefan Claudius . jpg . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191401/http://cstrecords.com/cst_images/gybeimages_web.jpg . September 27, 2007 .
  19. News: Band Members Released After Terrorist Report. November 26, 2006. The Daily Ardmoreite. Biehr, Steve . https://web.archive.org/web/20050208194407/http://ardmoreite.com/stories/031603/loc_band_release.shtml . February 8, 2005.
  20. Web site: Godspeed You Black Emperor! at Mississippi Nights (2003-03-16). December 24, 2006. Internet Archive. 2003. Godspeed You Black Emperor!. Live Music Archive. shn.
  21. Web site: Five Noteworthy Facts You May Not Know About Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Exclaim. April 23, 2015. October 31, 2017. November 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107014517/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/five_noteworthy_facts_you_may_not_know_about_godspeed_you_black_emperor. live.
  22. Web site: I'll Be Your Mirror USA 2012 curated by Greg Dulli & ATP – All Tomorrow's Parties . Atpfestival.com . April 18, 2014 . April 12, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140412165414/http://www.atpfestival.com/events/ibymusa2012.php . live .
  23. Web site: Pelly . Jenn . 2012-01-09 . Coachella Announces Lineup . 2024-02-28 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  24. News: Godspeed You! Black Emperor criticise Polaris prize . September 25, 2013 . BBC News . September 24, 2013 . September 24, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130924191414/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24231672 . live .
  25. Web site: Godspeed You! Black Emperor – G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END!. 2021-03-03. Constellation. en-US. March 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210303155137/http://cstrecords.com/products/godspeed-you-black-emperor-g_d-s-pee-at-state-s-end/. live.
  26. Web site: Bobkin . Matt . February 4, 2022 . Did Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Long-Lost Cassette Finally Leak? . February 4, 2022 . . February 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220204234222/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/godspeed_you_black_emperor_all_lights_fucked_hairy_amp_drooling_2022_leak . live .
  27. Web site: 2022-02-05. Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Lost Debut Album Appears To Surface Online After 27 Years. 2022-02-06. Stereogum. en. August 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220801223716/https://www.stereogum.com/2175137/godspeed-you-black-emperors-lost-debut-album-appears-to-surface-online-after-27-years/news/. live.
  28. Web site: All lights fucked on the hairy amp drooling, by Godspeed You! Black Emperor . February 14, 2022 . February 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215003528/https://godspeedyoublackemperor.bandcamp.com/album/all-lights-fucked-on-the-hairy-amp-drooling . live .
  29. Web site: Pearis . Bill . Godspeed You! Black Emperor debuted 3 new songs at tour kickoff at Knockdown Center (listen ++ pics, 2024 dates) . 2024-02-28 . BrooklynVegan . en-US.
  30. Web site: Interview with Godspeed You Black Emperor!. December 24, 2006. OOR. 2001. Visser, Menno. OOR Magazine. December 12, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061212043959/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/oor.html. live.
  31. Web site: Godspeed You Black Emperor! at L'Olympic (2003-05-14). December 17, 2006. Internet Archive. 2003. Godspeed You Black Emperor!. Live Music Archive. shnf.
  32. Web site: Godspeed You! Black Emperor China Tour. Spli-t. April 1, 2013. October 31, 2017. March 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150308004827/http://www.spli-t.com/gybe/en/. live.
  33. Web site: Godspeed You! Black Emperor . Smart Shanghai . December 7, 2015 . October 31, 2017 . November 7, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022920/http://www.smartshanghai.com/wire/music/incoming-godspeed-you-black-emperor . live .
  34. Web site: Nine Inch Nails Announce Massive Tour With Godspeed You! Black Emperor. June 6, 2013. 2013. Minsker, Evan. Pitchfork. June 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130608172439/http://pitchfork.com/news/51053-nine-inch-nails-announce-massive-tour-with-godspeed-you-black-emperor/. live.
  35. Web site: Godspeed You! Black Emperor Concert Setlists. setlist.fm. October 31, 2017. August 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801195136/https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/godspeed-you-black-emperor-63d69a73.html. live.
  36. Web site: monumental. BAM.org. October 31, 2017. August 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801113721/http://www.bam.org/dance/2016/monumental. live.
  37. Web site: Godspeed You! Black Emperor . 2024-08-15 . Constellation . en.
  38. News: Costa . Maddy . 2012-10-11 . Godspeed You! Black Emperor: 'You make music for the king and his court, or for the serfs outside the walls' . 2024-02-28 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  39. Web site: Rubsam . Rob . April 2014 . The Rumpus Interview with Efrim Menuck . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232305/http://therumpus.net/2014/04/the-rumpus-interview-with-efrim-menuck/ . May 25, 2014 . May 25, 2014 . The Rumpus.
  40. Web site: Richardson . Mark . "Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!" Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140520031951/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17283-allelujah-dont-bend-ascend/? . May 20, 2014 . May 6, 2014 . Pitchfork.com.
  41. Web site: June 25, 2013 . Godspeed You! Black Emperor, 'Yanqui U.X.O.' (Constellation) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022355/https://www.spin.com/2003/06/godspeed-you-black-emperor-yanqui-uxo-constellation/ . November 7, 2017 . October 31, 2017 . Spin.
  42. Web site: Meatcircus23 . 2023-09-18 . Saw them play at Riotfest, as a trans person this made me smile :) . 2023-10-30 . r/gybe.
  43. Web site: May 25, 2007 . EMI Defies Fate as Predicted on Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Yanqui U.X.O., Bought Out By Terra Firma for $4.7 Billion; Sorry Warner Music Group . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012432/https://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/emi-defies-fate-predicted-godspeed-you-black-emperors-yanqui-uxo-bought-out-te . November 7, 2017 . October 31, 2017 . Tiny Mix Tapes.
  44. Web site: Easy Being Green: Frog Eyes Whip Up a Colourful Cabaret . April 8, 2009 . Montreal Mirror . 2003 . Carpenter, Lorraine . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090816172436/http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2003/082103/music4.html . August 16, 2009 .
  45. https://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/article/a-completely-biased-ranking-of-the-60-best-canadian-indie-rock-songs-of-the-00s-part-ii "A Completely Biased Ranking of the 60 Best Canadian Indie Rock Songs of the 00s Part II"

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