Billy Talent is a Juno Award-winning Canadian rock band formed in 1993. They performed and recorded together for about a decade before finding a wide mainstream following. Originally called Pezz, the group originates from Mississauga, Ontario, but now hail from Toronto, Ontario. The band, as of September 2007, finished 16 months of touring, and have returned home to work on their new album.
The name is inspired by a character named "Billy Tallent" in the 1993 book "Hard Core Logo" by Michael Turner (filmed in 1996) and it has been the name of the band since 2001, after a dispute with the American Pezz.
To date, the band have released 3 studio albums, the first under the name Pezz named "Watoosh!", the second under the Billy Talent name is called "Billy Talent" with the third called "Billy Talent II". The fourth album, and third under the Billy Talent name, is currently in production. The band played the first ever song "Turn Your Back" from this album, on the 14th June 2008, stating the next album was "about halfway done". Various rumors seem to have the release date due for march 2009.
The latest release from the band is a live DVD/CD, of which two different versions are avaliable. The first, "666" features a DVD with 6 videos each from shows in London, Dusseldorf, which both took place in February 2007, and 6 more from Rock Am Ring, which took place in June 07, and the full Dusseldorf sound track on CD.
The second version, "Deluxe", features the London and Dusseldorf shows in full on DVD, the same 6 videos from Rock Am Ring on DVD, and the Dusseldorf sound track.
Drummer Aaron Solowoniuk revealed that the song "This Is How It Goes" was written for him by Ben with the subject being Aaron's struggle with multiple sclerosis, in an open letter to fans posted on the official website in March 2006. As a sign of the dedication to finding a cure for MS, the band hold an annual show in Canada named "F.U.MS" in which all funds go towards the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. In it's first year, F.U.MS raised $19,000, and in it's second raised $50,000.
For more info, visit: www.billytalent.com
Band Members
Ben Kowalewicz - Vocals
Ian D'Sa - Guitar, Back Vocals
Jon Gallant - Bass, Back Vocals
Aaron Solowoniuk - Drums
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