Billy Talent (formerly known as Pezz) is a Canadian alternative rock band formed in 1993 in Mississauga, Ontario. The band is Ben Kowalewicz (lead vocals), Ian D'Sa (lead guitar and backing vocals), Jon Gallant (bass guitar and backing vocalist) and Aaron Solowoniuk (drums and percussion).
The band existed for almost a decade before 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 July 1, 2008, the band toured Canada and Europe as well as a tour with My Chemical Romance in the U.S, and they have returned to Canada to finish an album.
