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 four 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,"Billy Talent III", released in 2009, was produced by Brendan O'Brien, who previously worked with AC/DC, Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam and The Offspring, among others.

Billy Talent have also released a live DVD/CD, "666" featuring live performances from London, Dusseldorf, and the Rock Am Ring festival, held at the Nürburgring in Germany. They have also released two live albums from London and Manchester in September of 2006, of which only 500 of each exist.

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

Billy Talent (formerly known as Pezz) is a Juno award-winning Canadian band formed in 1993 in Mississauga, Ontario. The band consists of 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. Since then, Billy Talent has made two multi-platinum records in Canada, and continues to expand their success overseas, this included touring for 20 months supporting their third album. They released their fourth album Billy Talent III on July 14, 2009.