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 an obscure Japanese documentary about a biker gang called the "Black Emperors". The number of members in the band is never clearly defined, ranging anywhere from nine to twenty at any given time. GYBE was on an extended hiatus for several years so its various members could work on other projects, but they are scheduled to appear together at an upcoming music festival.

Everyone in the group considers the music to be far bigger than the band, which helps to explain their constantly changing numbers and lack of a leader. There is also a harsh moratorium on band photos and magazine interviews. The seemingly odd behavior is a way for appreciators to get nearer to the music, instead of focusing on minor details.

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 GYBE cite their live performances as random and exciting occurrences. Because the band employs no singers they utilize scores of visual imageries in all of their shows. The films are meant to tie the message and the music together for the watching audience and are most often produced and recorded by a group member.

In 2003, the members of Godspeed had the pleasure of being mistaken for terrorists when they passed through Ardmore, Oklahoma. The band, touring through the United States, stopped for gas on their way to Missouri and worried the station attendant on duty. She convinced another customer, who was also pumping gas, to summon the local police.

When the Ardmore police arrived, they discovered anti-government documents in both of the group's two vans. These finds, coupled with the groups general scruffiness prompted the local officers to call in the FBI. The band members were immediately detained and personally questioned for some time before the authorities decided to let them go. And although GYBE made it to their next tour stop in time, the run-in no doubt only fueled their anarchist philosophies.

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. - 40730

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment