Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is a post-rock group from Montréal, Canada, active since 1994. The band is also abbreviated as GY!BE, GYBE and Godspeed, and its name is taken from a 1976 Japanese black-and-white documentary about the Black Emperors biker gang.

Style and approach

The group is known for long-form instrumental pieces, wide dynamic changes and layered arrangements. Its music draws on post-rock, ambient, art rock, drone and experimental rock, with influences that include progressive rock, post-punk, classical music, soundtrack composition and the avant-garde. Releases often consist of a single large piece divided into movements, and the band uses electric and bass guitars, strings and percussion, with occasional appearances from instruments such as glockenspiel and French horn. Some recordings also include spoken-word material gathered by the band across North America.

The band also places strong emphasis on artwork and visual presentation in album packaging and live performance. It has a reputation for avoiding conventional self-promotion and for keeping the focus away from individual members and leadership.

Formation and membership

Godspeed You! Black Emperor forms in Montréal in 1994, initially with three members. Over time, the group has included as many as fifteen musicians, though it tends to operate with a core of nine. Members include Efrim Menuck, Mauro Pezzente, David Bryant, Aidan Girt, Thierry Amar, Bruce Cawdron, Norsola Johnson, Sophie Trudeau, Mike Moya, Dano LeBlanc, Michael Moya, Roger Tellier-Craig, Karl Lemieux, Timothy Herzog and Philippe Léonard. Roger Tellier-Craig leaves the band in 2004 to focus on other projects.

Related projects and collaborations

Members of the group form or participate in several side projects, including A Silver Mt. Zion, Fly Pan Am, Pas Chic Chic and Set Fire to Flames. Efrim Menuck is the member most often identified in the press, although the group does not operate with a conventional front person.

Releases and key recordings

The band’s discography includes the demo All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling, first made in 1994 and later re-released, F♯ A♯ ∞, Slow Riot for New Zerø Kanada, Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven, Yanqui U.X.O., 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!, 'Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress, Luciferian Towers and G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END!.

The CD versions of the first two albums are issued by Kranky, while the LPs are released through Constellation Records. After the Kranky contract ends, both the LP and CD of Yanqui U.X.O. are produced by Constellation, which continues to release the band’s newer work. The album 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! is sold quietly at shows in 2012 and later wins the Polaris Prize. 'Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress is based on the live piece “Behemoth” and is the band’s first single-LP release since its debut. Luciferian Towers and G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END! both arrive with explicitly political song titles and statements.

Activity, hiatus and return

The group announces an indefinite hiatus in 2003, and its status remains uncertain for several years. In 2010 it announces a return by curating ATP The Nightmare Before Christmas, with Mike Moya playing with the band again. It later resumes touring and continues to release recordings.

Notable uses and reception

“East Hastings”, from the debut album, appears in the UK film 28 Days Later, although it does not appear on the soundtrack album. The band’s work is widely associated with the development of post-rock and with large-scale, orchestral instrumental composition.