Godspeed You! Black Emperor

For the film, see God Speed You! Black Emperor.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Godspeed You! Black Emperor performing live at Roadburn Festival in 2018
Godspeed You! Black Emperor performing live at Roadburn Festival in 2018
Background information
Also known as
  • Godspeed You Black Emperor!
  • Godspeed
  • GY!BE
  • God's Pee
  • Pee'd Emp'ror
OriginMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres
DiscographyGodspeed You! Black Emperor discography
Years active
  • 1994–2003
  • 2010–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Mark Littlefair
  • Thea Pratt
  • Bruce Cawdron
  • Norsola Johnson
  • Roger Tellier-Craig
  • Grayson Walker
  • Christophe
  • Fluffy Erskine
Websitebrainwashed.com/godspeed/

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]

  1. ^ Henderson, Stuart (October 11, 2012). "Noted and Notable: New GY!BE and More, PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Godspeed You! Black Emperor". Cstrecords.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Greer, Nick (June 11, 2010). "Top 100 Albums of the Decade". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  4. ^ "Godspeed You! Black Emperor quit over Iraq". NME. 2008. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
  5. ^ Phillips, Amy (February 11, 2008). "Godspeed Still on Hiatus, Not Completely Broken Up". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  6. ^ "Just Announced: Post-rock cult faves Godspeed You! Black Emperor headlining Union Transfer | The Key". Thekey.xpn.org. September 16, 2013. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  7. ^ Andre Paine (November 22, 2013). "Godspeed You! Black Emperor, O2 Academy Brixton – music review – Music – Going Out – London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  8. ^ Gabrielle Dominique. "Listen To The New Godspeed You! Black Emperor LP". Cmj.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!". Hangout.altsounds.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  10. ^ "Danny Boyle's Greatest Hits: From 'Trainspotting' to the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony". Rolling Stone. April 4, 2013. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  11. ^ Empire, Kitty (November 10, 2002). "Get used to the limelight". Guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2009.