Wednesday, September 22, 2010

A Brief Overview Of Godspeed You! Black Emperor

By Mark Floyd

Hailing from Montreal in Canada, Godspeed You! Black Emperor is post-rock music group. They are generally known for their visual and extensive live shows and lengthy instrumental songs. Their performances and recordings mostly consist of percussion instruments and electric guitars yet more obscure instruments such as glockenspiels and French horns have made appearances as well.

The group got its name from the "Black Emperors" biker gang, after they were the subject of an obscure documentary. The members of the band are never clearly defined and their numbers range anywhere from twenty to nine at any time. For several years, GYBE was on hiatus while various members worked on other musical projects but they have agreed to appear together at a music festival later this year.

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.

The more outspoken members of the group state in their few interviews that large corporations are what is at fault in the media industries and the whole economy in general. In fact, most of their CD and song notes refer to the criminal behaviors of corporate media. On the group's newest album, a picture was included in the notes that hinted at a link between several major record companies to the United State's military-industrial complex.

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.

When the local police arrived at the scene, they found anarchist papers in both of the bands' two vehicles. These items, added with the bands general appearance prompted the officers to alert the FBI. The group members were quickly held and personally questioned for a few hours before the investigators decided to release them. And although Godspeed made it to their next scheduled tour date in time, the event most likely fueled their anti-government ideologies.

They have officially released three albums since their debut in the 1990s. Since then, Godspeed You! Black Emperor has also put out several releases and EPs. Several of their songs have even come out without being on an album since GYBE encourages their fans to record their concerts. The band has even lent songs to a handful of television and movie soundtracks as well, although it happens very rarely.

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