They formed 16 years ago in Ontario, Canada. For me, they are one of the best Rock acts, both live and on-record, currently in existence. They are my favourite band, creating catchy guitar riffs and powerful verses. Song after song after song, they never fail to excite.
Anyone who knows me would understand that I am slightly addicted to Billy Talent. Not a day goes by that I don’t play at least one song of theirs or think about the next time I’m going to see them live. Whenever I wear my BT t-shirt to my favourite bar, I get a minimum of two new people approaching me just to inform me that they love their music. But, somewhat shockingly, a few people have never heard of them! I mean, sheesh!
So here it is. My quick guide to my favourite band.
Ben Kowalewicz (vocals)
Ben has got to be one of the best Rock vocalists in history. Sound a bit far-fetched? Maybe. But you listen to his voice on a track, whether he’s singing, shouting, screaming or whispering, and you’d most likely find him mesmorising. Live, he is even better. A great entertainer who really likes to put his all into conveying the lyrics. People say Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) was unique for actually portraying emotions in his singing and I feel that Ben K does the same. A genuinely nice guy too.
Ian D’sa
One of my favourite guitarists of all time. Some of the riffs he creates are mind-blowing. Not just by wondering how he comes up with them, but how he remembers them and manages to play them live, note-perfect. Listen to Devil In A Midnight Mass as a great example. Also well-known for his hairstyle – a tall quiff which takes about 45 minutes and shit-loads of hairspray. He also provides back-up vocals, which are quite noticable in their songs as a low-pitched mixture of singing and shouting.
Aaron Solowoniuk
There’s not much to say about Aaron, except that he is a fantastic drummer, both live and on-record, and backs up the catchy guitar riffs with a pounding percussion. A good example of his work is the intro to Red Flag. Amazing considering he is suffering with Multiple Sclerosis.
Jonathan Gallant
Bassist and backing vocalist. Another talented musician. As most bassists, you don’t really know what it is that he adds to the music, but I’m sure if you removed the bass lines, they just wouldn’t sound the same.
The band have released two albums to this date - Billy Talent and Billy Talent II (not including Watoosh!, which was released under the band’s original name, Pezz. They changed their name to Billy Talent following a threat of legal action and their music took a more punk-rock direction). Their third studio album is to be released on 13th July 2009 and is tentatively entitled……..Billy Talent III.
Billy Talent seemed quite aggressive compared to the mellower Billy Talent II. The former went 3x Platinum in Canada and the latter went 2x Platinum.
I would highly recommend listening to both albums if you have not heard of them. You’ll like either one of them, but hopefully both. 
Now, whenever you here a song by this fantabulous gang of men, please think of me. I look forward to the new album and seeing them headling the Lock-Up Stage at Reading Festival 2009.
Peace out.
DJC
