This article is about the Canadian punk rock band. For the band's self-titled album, see Billy Talent (album).

Billy Talent




Billy Talent at the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awards.
(from left to right) Jonathan Gallant, Ian D'Sa,
Aaron Solowoniuk, Benjamin Kowalewicz

Background information

Origin

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Genre(s)

Punk rock
Alternative rock
Post-hardcore
Years active

1993 - present

Label(s)

Atlantic, Warner

Associated acts

The Kitchen Party, To Each His Own, Dragonflower

Website

www.billytalent.com

Members

Benjamin Kowalewicz
Ian D'Sa
Jonathan Gallant
Aaron Solowoniuk

Billy Talent (formerly known as Pezz) is a Canadian rock band formed in 1993 in Mississauga, Ontario. The band consists of Benjamin Kowalewicz (vocals), Ian D'Sa (guitar/vocals), Jonathan Gallant (bass/vocals) and Aaron Solowoniuk (drums/percussion).

Although they are often described as having punk rock roots, the band claims that they have no bands that they have drawn inspiration from; they did not "emulate popular bands at the time." The sound is original and unique, something different that they recognized when they first started playing together.[1]

“

Music for us depends on the individuals you are playing with, and individually we are all at our best in the context of this band. Our collaboration and chemistry work. For years we tried to find our sound, but everything started happening when we simply accepted what we are. When you find your voice, everything else follows suit.

”

—Benjamin Kowalewicz, MuchMusic interview[1]

The band existed for almost a decade before hitting mainstream success. The members met and played in high school under the name Pezz and remained underground in Toronto's indie music scene until 2001. The band renamed itself Billy Talent after running into legal trouble with the old name. It was then that Kowalewicz's connection with a worker in Warner Music Canada's A&R landed the band a record deal and launched them into mainstream success.[2] Since then, Billy Talent has made two multi-platinum records in Canada,[3] and continues to expand their success overseas. As of September 11, 2007, the band has completed sixteen months of touring, and they have returned to Canada for a rest before beginning work on a new album.[4] According to My Chemical Romance's official webpage, Billy Talent will be performing with them during their US tour.

Indexed at Wikipedia.