Annotation
Up to the release of “Yanqui U.X.O.”, GYBE placed the exclamation mark at the end of their name. It was then moved to match the film they had taken their name from.
- “[Yanqui U.X.O.] marks the first release by the group after slightly altering their name (moving the exclamation mark from the "emperor" to the "you")” -- Wikipedia
- “In the beginning of their career, they were known as "Godspeed You Black Emperor!", but the name was later changed to have the exclamation point after the word "You".” Urban Dictionary
- “Another suggested that moving the exclamation mark in their name (up until the release of their current album, they were known as Godspeed You Black Emperor! ) was evidence of their "often hard-to-spot sense of humour"” The Guardian’s review of Yanqui UXO
Wikipedia
Godspeed You! Black Emperor (sometimes abbreviated to GY!BE or Godspeed) 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. 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, 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. 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. However, it does not appear on the film's soundtrack because the rights to the song could not be obtained.
Discography
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