Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Watch Godspeed You! Black Emperor

By Mark Floyd

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is an instrumental band from Northern Canada. They are mostly known for their long songs and lengthy and stimulating live performances. Their songs and concerts usually consist of rock guitars and drums, but more obscure things like violins and keyboards are known to make an appearance.

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.

All members of Godspeed consider the music to be greater than the group, which helps explain the band's ever changing line-up and lack of a front man. There's also a strict moratorium on group photos and personal interviews. This seemingly strange philosophy is a way for listeners to get closer to the music, rather than focus on trivial details.

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 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. - 40727

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