Editing Godspeed You! Black Emperor (section)

==History==

=== First run (1994–2003) ===
Godspeed You! Black Emperor was formed in 1994 in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], by [[Efrim Menuck]] ([[Electric guitar|guitar]]), [[Mike Moya]] (guitar), and [[Mauro Pezzente]] ([[Bass guitar|bass]]).<ref name="Wire">{{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire.html|title=Interview in The Wire|year=1998|author=David Keenan|access-date=May 27, 2011|archive-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417150659/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Larkin2011">Colin Larkin. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA1439 The Encyclopedia of Popular Music] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004150344/https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA1439#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=October 4, 2023 }}''. Omnibus Press; 27 May 2011. {{ISBN|978-0-85712-595-8}}. p. 1439.</ref> The band took its name from ''[[God Speed You! Black Emperor]]'', a 1976 Japanese [[black-and-white]] [[Documentary film|documentary]] by director [[Mitsuo Yanagimachi]], which follows the exploits of a [[Bōsōzoku|Japanese biker gang]], the Black Emperors.<ref name="Wire" /> The band initially assembled after being offered a supporting act for another local band named Steak 72.<ref name="wire2">{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire2.html|title=Godspeed You Black Emperor! interview with ''The Wire''|access-date=February 24, 2009|year=2000|author=Keenan, David|work=brainwashed.com|archive-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419174954/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/wire2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Thereafter, the trio performed live on a few separate occasions. Previously, the name "God Speed You Black Emperor!" had been used by Menuck on a limited cassette entitled ''[[All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling]]'' that had been recorded the year prior, with limited contributions by Pezzente on bass, although it would not be until 1994 that the actual band formed. 

The band expanded and continued to perform live. According to Menuck, joining the group was simple: "It was like if anyone knew anybody who played an instrument and seemed like an okay person, they would sort of join up."<ref name="brainwashed1">{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/godspeed/deadmetheney/interviews/amazeine.htm|title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor interview with ''aMAZEzine!''|access-date=February 14, 2009|year=1998|author=St-Jacques, Marie-Douche|work=aMAZEzine|archive-date=March 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309193447/http://www.brainwashed.com/godspeed/deadmetheney/interviews/amazeine.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The group's number of members frequently changed during this time. Local musicians would often join the band for a handful of performances, then depart. The revolving door nature of the group's membership frequently caused it strain before the release of ''[[F♯ A♯ ∞]]''.<ref name="brainwashed1" /> After that release, the group stabilized around a nine-person lineup with Menuck, Moya and [[David Bryant (musician)|David Bryant]] on guitars, Pezzente and Thierry Amar on bass guitars, Aidan Girt and Bruce Cawdron on drums, and Sophie Trudeau and Norsola Johnson on violin and cello respectively. Moya would depart in 1998 to focus on [[HṚṢṬA]], being replaced by Roger Tellier-Craig of [[Fly Pan Am]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Godspeed You ! Black Emperor en concert en France : Tournée 2015|url=https://www.evous.fr/Godspeed-You-Black-Emperor-en-concert-en-France-1135503.html|website=evous|date=April 23, 2015|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005644/https://www.evous.fr/Godspeed-You-Black-Emperor-en-concert-en-France-1135503.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tellier-Craig left in 2004 to devote more time to Fly Pan Am.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 23, 2012 |title=Former Godspeed You! Black Emperor guitarist preps new cassette |url=http://www.factmag.com/2012/08/23/former-godspeed-you-black-emperor-guitarist-preps-new-cassette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529093656/http://www.factmag.com/2012/08/23/former-godspeed-you-black-emperor-guitarist-preps-new-cassette/ |archive-date=May 29, 2017 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=Fact Mag}}</ref> In 2002, the band released their third album ''[[Yanqui U.X.O.]]'', which was recorded in [[Chicago]] and engineered by [[Steve Albini]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=Mark |date=2010-04-23 |title=Back on the Rails: Seven Thoughts on the Return of Godspeed You! Black Emperor |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/resonant-frequency/7796-resonant-frequency-69/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>

The group was once misconstrued as being a band of [[terrorists]].<ref name="cstimages">{{cite web|url=http://cstrecords.com/cst_images/gybeimages_web.jpg |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor Collage |access-date=November 26, 2006 |author=Biehr, Steve, Marion Bornas, and Stefan Claudius |format=jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191401/http://cstrecords.com/cst_images/gybeimages_web.jpg |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="ardmoreite">{{cite news|url=http://ardmoreite.com/stories/031603/loc_band_release.shtml |title=Band Members Released After Terrorist Report|access-date=November 26, 2006|newspaper=The Daily Ardmoreite|author=Biehr, Steve |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050208194407/http://ardmoreite.com/stories/031603/loc_band_release.shtml |archive-date = February 8, 2005}}</ref> After stopping at a local gas station for fuel in the town of [[Ardmore, Oklahoma]], during their 2003 tour of the United States, the station attendant working that day believed the group of Canadians to be terrorists. She quickly passed a note to another customer asking them to call the police. When the local police appeared, the group was held until it could be questioned by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]. Although the police were suspicious of the band's anti-government documents and some photos it had (such as those of oil rigs), they found no incriminating evidence. After [[background check]]s were run, the ensemble was released from custody and continued on its way to its next show in [[St. Louis, MO|Saint Louis]]. [[Efrim Menuck]] later spoke to the crowd during their appearance in Missouri about what happened to them and speculated that their origin was a motive for being released quickly ("It's a good thing we're nice white kids from Canada").<ref name="2003-03-16">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/gybe2003-03-16.shn|title=Godspeed You Black Emperor! at Mississippi Nights (2003-03-16)|access-date=December 24, 2006|publisher=Internet Archive|year=2003|author=Godspeed You Black Emperor!|work=Live Music Archive|format=shn}}</ref> The incident was mentioned in [[Michael Moore]]'s book ''[[Dude, Where's My Country?]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Five Noteworthy Facts You May Not Know About Godspeed You! Black Emperor|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/five_noteworthy_facts_you_may_not_know_about_godspeed_you_black_emperor|website=Exclaim|date=April 23, 2015|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107014517/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/five_noteworthy_facts_you_may_not_know_about_godspeed_you_black_emperor|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2003, Constellation Records posted a note on their website reading: "godspeed will be on hiatus for the better part of a year, while the band members work on their many other projects".<ref name=":1" />

=== Reunion (2010–present) ===
On April 9, 2010, the band announced it was reuniting for an [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] music event in the UK as well as further US dates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor to curate Nightmare Before Christmas, December 2010! - On Sale Now |url=https://www.atpfestival.com/recordings/news/view/1004090900 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=All Tomorrow's Parties |language=en}}</ref> "after a decade’s retreat, god’s pee has decided to roll again", read the statement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Godspeed You ! Black Emperor to curate The Nightmare Before Christmas |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/godspeed-you-black-emperor-to-curate-the-nightmare-before-christmas-27294 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref> Mike Moya re-joined the band for the reunion, while original cellist Norsola Johnson declined to participate. The band played a full North American and European tour in 2011, and more dates in the UK including an appearance at the ATP '[[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|I'll Be Your Mirror]]' music festival in London.

The following year, the band appeared at the [[Pitchfork Music Festival]] in Chicago, [[Coachella (festival)|Coachella]] in California, and the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] I'll Be Your Mirror festival in New York.<ref name="atpibym2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.atpfestival.com/events/ibymusa2012.php |title=I'll Be Your Mirror USA 2012 curated by Greg Dulli & ATP – All Tomorrow's Parties |publisher=Atpfestival.com |access-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412165414/http://www.atpfestival.com/events/ibymusa2012.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelly |first=Jenn |date=2012-01-09 |title=Coachella Announces Lineup |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/44978-coachella-announces-lineup/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> Drummer Timothy Herzog began touring with the band after the departure of Bruce Cawdron.

{{quote box |align=right |salign=right |width=33% |author=– Godspeed You! Black Emperor, in response to winning the [[2013 Polaris Music Prize]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Statement from Godspeed You! Black Emperor on Polaris|url=http://cstrecords.com/statement-from-godspeed-you-black-emperor-on-polaris/|publisher=[[Constellation Records (Canada)|Constellation Records]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925144621/http://cstrecords.com/statement-from-godspeed-you-black-emperor-on-polaris/|archive-date=September 25, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |quote="3 quick bullet-points that almost anybody could agree on maybe=

-holding a gala during a time of austerity and normalized decline is a weird thing to do.

-organizing a gala just so musicians can compete against each other for a novelty-sized cheque doesn’t serve the cause of righteous music at all.

-asking the toyota motor company to help cover the tab for that gala, during a summer where the melting northern ice caps are live-streaming on the internet, IS FUCKING INSANE, and comes across as tone-deaf to the current horrifying malaise."}}

In 2013, the band won the [[Polaris Music Prize]] for their fourth album ''[['Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!]]'', but it criticized the cost of the ceremony during the time of [[austerity]], stating, "Maybe the next celebration should happen in a cruddier hall, without the corporate banners and culture overlords."<ref name="Polaris">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24231672 |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor criticise Polaris prize |access-date=September 25, 2013 |newspaper=BBC News |date=September 24, 2013 |archive-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924191414/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24231672 |url-status=live }}</ref> The band's fifth album ''[[Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress]]'' was released on March 31, 2015, and the sixth album ''[[Luciferian Towers]]'' came out on September 22, 2017.

In August 2019, the band played new songs tentatively titled "Glaciers" and "Cliff".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-26 |title=Concert Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor/Marisa Anderson |url=https://spectrumculture.com/2019/08/25/concert-review-godspeed-you-black-emperor-marisa-anderson/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Spectrum Culture |language=en-US}}</ref> They would appear on the band's seventh album ''[[G_d's Pee at State's End!]],'' which was released on April 2, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor – G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END! |url=http://cstrecords.com/products/godspeed-you-black-emperor-g_d-s-pee-at-state-s-end/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303155137/http://cstrecords.com/products/godspeed-you-black-emperor-g_d-s-pee-at-state-s-end/ |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |access-date=2021-03-03 |website=Constellation |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2022, a copy of ''[[All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling]]'' was posted to [[4chan]]'s music board, [[/mu/]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bobkin |first=Matt |date=February 4, 2022 |title=Did Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Long-Lost Cassette Finally Leak? |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/godspeed_you_black_emperor_all_lights_fucked_hairy_amp_drooling_2022_leak |access-date=February 4, 2022 |website=[[Exclaim!]] |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204234222/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/godspeed_you_black_emperor_all_lights_fucked_hairy_amp_drooling_2022_leak |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-02-05|title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Lost Debut Album Appears To Surface Online After 27 Years|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2175137/godspeed-you-black-emperors-lost-debut-album-appears-to-surface-online-after-27-years/news/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=[[Stereogum]]|language=en|archive-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801223716/https://www.stereogum.com/2175137/godspeed-you-black-emperors-lost-debut-album-appears-to-surface-online-after-27-years/news/|url-status=live}}</ref> The band eventually uploaded the full audio of the tape to its official [[Bandcamp]] page on February 14.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://godspeedyoublackemperor.bandcamp.com/album/all-lights-fucked-on-the-hairy-amp-drooling | title=All lights fucked on the hairy amp drooling, by Godspeed You! Black Emperor | access-date=February 14, 2022 | archive-date=February 15, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215003528/https://godspeedyoublackemperor.bandcamp.com/album/all-lights-fucked-on-the-hairy-amp-drooling | url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 24, 2024, the band debuted three new untitled songs at the [[Knockdown Center]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearis |first=Bill |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor debuted 3 new songs at tour kickoff at Knockdown Center (listen ++ pics, 2024 dates) |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/godspeed-you-black-emperor-debuted-3-new-songs-at-tour-kickoff-at-knockdown-center-listen-pics-2024-dates/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref> On August 28, 2024, the band announced its eighth album, ''[[No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead]]'', supported by the lead single "Grey Rubble – Green Shoots".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=2024-08-28 |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor Announce New Album "No Title As of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead", Share Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/godspeed-you-black-emperor-announce-new-album-no-title-as-of-13-february-2024-28340-dead-share-song-listen/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> Its title references the death toll of Palestinians in the [[Gaza Strip]] during the [[Gaza war]] at the time of the album's conception.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last1=LaPierre |first1=Megan |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor Announce New Album '"NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD"' |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/there-appears-to-be-a-new-godspeed-you-black-emperor-album |website=Exclaim |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Berman |first=Stuart |title=Godspeed You! Black Emperor: "NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/godspeed-you-black-emperor-no-title-as-of-13-february-2024/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>