The group was founded in 1994 in Montreal, Canada, by guitarists Efrim Menuck and Mike Moya and bassist Mauro Pezzente. Initially formed to support a local band called Steak 72, the trio soon began developing their own musical projects.
Their name comes from the 1976 documentary Gottsu Supīdo Yū! Burakku Enperā (ゴッド・スピード・ユー! ブラック・エンペラー) by Japanese director Mitsuo Yanagimachi. The film focuses on the lives, daily struggles, and societal interactions of the Bōsōzoku, motorcycle gangs in Japan.
About movie
Popular in Japan during the 1970s, these groups were typically made up of rebellious youth. They were known for riding elaborately decorated motorcycles and for their defiant behavior. The documentary explores the hierarchical structure of these gangs, their leader figures, and the bonds among members in great detail.
Yanagimachi’s film delves into the personal stories of the gang members, addressing themes of societal alienation, clashes with authority, and the search for self-expression among young people. It masterfully conveys both the chaotic energy of gang life and the inner solitude and uncertainty experienced by its members.
Shot in black-and-white, the documentary captures the aesthetic of Bōsōzoku culture and the urbanization process in Japan at the time, evoking a strong sense of realism through its cinematic style.
The First Album: The Legend of All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling (1994)
In 1994, the group released their first work, “All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling”, marking a significant milestone for both the band and the independent music scene. Emerging from the depths of Montreal’s experimental music sphere, this album provided early hints of the artistic and political vision the band would later adopt. However, this work was more of a solo project by Efrim Menuck and reached a limited audience. For this reason, the album is considered essential for understanding the early steps in GY!BE’s musical evolution and Efrim Menuck’s artistic vision. Menuck described it as a “goofy little cassette,” reflecting his musical explorations and personal expressions at the time.
The album featured Efrim Menuck on vocals, guitar, and various instruments, Mauro Pezzente on bass guitar, and Dano Leblanc contributing acoustic guitar and an experimental technique called “backwards hash.” Efrim’s then-partner D.C. provided vocals for the track “$13.13.”
Although Mike Moya would later become a key member of the band, he did not participate in this album. Instead, the work represents a period when GY!BE was more of an extension of Efrim’s individual vision than a collective group.
The album was released in just 33 cassette copies, distributed by hand by the band members. This limited production turned “All Lights Fucked” into a legendary piece over time. Among fans, speculation about the album’s existence, contents, and whereabouts persisted for years. Its nostalgic value and historical significance in the band’s development cemented its status as an icon of underground music culture.
The album’s mythical status took a new turn in 2013 when a Reddit user claimed to share some tracks from the album. The user uploaded “Random Luvly Moncton Blue(s)” and “Dadmomdaddy” from the A-side, providing evidence of the album’s existence. However, these posts were insufficient to verify the album in its entirety.
A more dramatic event occurred in 2022, when a 4chan user leaked the entire album online in February. This leak caused significant excitement among GY!BE fans, leading the band to officially release the album on Bandcamp shortly after. On February 14, 2022, the album was re-released digitally, with its authenticity confirmed directly by the band.