finetune artist: Billy Talent

Specializing in pop punk that is closely associated with teenagers, it is only fitting that Billy Talent originally came together during a high school talent contest, in their home town of Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. After the show, members of several different bands that played that night decided to unite and form their own outfit, including Benjamin Kowalewicz (vocals), Ian D'Sa (guitar), Jon Gallant (bass), and Aaron Solowoniuk (drums). First going by the name Pez (a brand name of a children's confection), the quartet issued their debut, Watoosh, in 1998. Eventually, the band decided to change their name before continuing, and took the new moniker, Billy Talent, from a character in one of their favourite movies, Hard Core Logo. The name change was then followed by the release of a four-song EP, Try Honesty, which led to a publishing contract with EMI Records. Gigs opening for renowned bands such as Goldfinger and Sparta soon followed, as well as an appearance on the package tour MTV Campus Invasion and a one-off performance on Moby's Area: 2 travelling festival. It did not take long for the major labels to take an interest, and after several more demos were recorded, Billy Talent signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records. The quartet focused on recording their major label debut, Billy Talent, and the Gavin Brown-produced set was issued in late 2003. Unlike fellow pop punk contemporaries obsessed with partying and toilet humour, several tracks on the album showed Billy Talent digging a bit deeper lyrically, as evidenced by tracks such as "Standing In The Rain" (which explores the memories of a heroin addicted prostitute) and "How It Goes" (told from the perspective of someone living with Multiple Sclerosis).

Listen to Billy Talent at Finetune.

Red Flag
Fallen Leaves
Devil In A Midnight Mass
Surrender
River Below

mcr4 on 2008-08-22 15:15:49.337:
Dammit!!! My stupid little brother's posting dumb comments on this band. Sorry folks.
mcr4 on 2008-06-20 09:37:28.493:
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mcr4 on 2008-06-19 12:26:17.917:
Geez was I gay or drunk? most of the comments before I posted on here are GAY! I like their whole first album!!!! That includes: This is How it Goes Living in the Shadows Try Honesty Line & Sinker Lies The Ex River Below Standing in the Rain Cut the Curtains Prisoners of Today (my fave song) Nothing to Lose, and Voices of Violence
mcr4 on 2008-05-17 08:38:54.083:
There are a lot more I like than that! Voices of Violence, This is How it Goes, Living in the Shadows, Perfect World, Red Flag, Fallen Leaves, Devil/Midnight Mass, Burn the Evidence, and This Suffering
rocooak on 2008-02-24 15:31:41.623:
the only songs i like for billy talent are red flag devil in the mid night mass fallen leaves river below and thats all i think?
rocooak on 2008-02-24 15:31:40.497:
the only songs i like for billy talent are red flag devil in the mid night mass fallen leaves river below and thats all i think?
mcr4 on 2008-02-21 10:52:08.553:
Billy Talent's the shit for Canada and the U.S!
mcr4 on 2008-02-07 18:08:58.390:
OMG I LOVE Billy Talent!!! At least they're not singin' about polotics like Sum 41 (although their old stuffs good)
quebexican on 2007-10-05 00:17:04.170:
People they are probably the best canadian band out there right now and will be till they are old THEY ROCKKK!!!!
EvanRyan23 on 2007-09-09 23:01:22.187:
Haha!, Just Got Back From Their Concert In Saint John Friday.. Haha, They Fucking Rock!
5p1tf1r3 on 2007-08-15 18:08:40.750:
yeah, i agree! Billy Talent is awesome!!!!!!!!!
calipnostics on 2007-08-02 01:25:58.733:
jeez what the hell? Is that all you have to say? I know me too! Billy Talent is awesome!!!!!!
Robbe on 2007-06-15 14:55:50.827:
Billy Talent is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!
thestrokes on 2007-06-05 12:10:20.123:
Billy Talent is awesome!!!!