Benjamin Kowalewicz

Benjamin Kowalewicz
Benjamin Kowalewicz
	Kowalewicz atRock am Ringin 2016
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz
Born	December 16, 1975(age 49); Montreal,Quebec, Canada
Origin	Streetsville,Ontario, Canada
Genres	Alternative rock; punk rock; post-hardcore; pop-punk; hardcore punk;
Occupations	Singer; songwriter;
Labels	Atlantic; Warner; Roadrunner; Last Gang; The End;
Member of	Billy Talent

Benjamin Ian Kowalewicz(/ˌkɒvæˈlɛvɪtʃ/;born December 16, 1975) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist of rock bandBilly Talent.

Early life

Kowalewicz was born inMontreal.He grew up inPierrefonds.When he was 11, he and his family moved toStreetsville, Ontario.^[1]^[2]^[3]He attendedOur Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School,where he was a drummer in a band named To Each His Own.

Career

In To Each His Own, Kowalewicz metJonathan Gallant.Kowalewicz moved from drummer to vocals and rhythm guitar, andAaron Solowoniukwas recruited to play drums. The three would then meetIan D'Sato form a band called Pezz. Pezz released their first album,Watoosh!,in 1998.^[4]After being threatened with a lawsuit by an American band who was also using the name Pezz, Kowalewicz suggested the name Billy Talent, taken from a character fromMichael Turner'sHard Core Logo.Kowalewicz focused his work on vocals only, and Billy Talent was born.^{[citation needed]}In this time, Kowalewicz worked in a number of positions at Toronto radio station102.1 the Edge,as an assistant forThe Ongoing History of New MusichostAlan Cross,to contribute funds towards Billy Talent'sfirst album.

Kowalewicz is featured in the song "Smiling Politely" byCancer Batsfrom their albumHail Destroyer.He was featured in the song "Wake Up the Town" byAnti-Flag,which was a bonus track on their 2008 albumThe Bright Lights of America.

His home in theParkdaleneighbourhood of Toronto was featured on the Canadian home decorating showDesigner Guys.The episode is entitled "Punk Meets Traditional". Kowalewicz can also play guitar and drums. He wrote drums for "The Ex" which appears on Billy Talent's self-titled album.

Kowalewicz provided guest vocals forRammsteinguitaristRichard Kruspe's side projectEmigrate.He provided co-lead vocals for the song "1234" on Emigrate's albumA Million Degrees,as well as performing in the song's music video with a cameo appearance from Billy Talent bandmateIan D'Sa.

Discography

Kowalewicz (left) and Ian D'Sa performing in 2007

Billy Talent

Billy Talent(2003)
Billy Talent II(2006)
Billy Talent III(2009)
Dead Silence(2012)
Afraid of Heights(2016)
Crisis of Faith(2022)

Guest appearances

Anti-Flag– "Wake Up the Town" onThe Bright Lights of America(2008)
Cancer Bats– "Smiling Politely" onHail Destroyer(2008)
K-OS- "Say It Ain't So(originally byWeezer) "onMuch Music Presents: k-os Live(2011)
Emigrate– "1234" onA Million Degrees(2018)

References

^"Billy Talent Interview".June 29, 2023.
^"Billy Talent – Canadian Thru and Thru".April 14, 2013.
^"Billy Talent: s'unir dans l'indignation rock".La Presse+.January 17, 2017.
^The Ongoing History of New Music ArchivedOctober 20, 2006, at theWayback Machine."Before They Were Famous"Original Broadcast date: 13-11-05 onCFNY.

External links

Media related toBenjamin Kowalewiczat Wikimedia Commons

[1] "Billy Talent Interview".June 29, 2023.

[2] "Billy Talent – Canadian Thru and Thru".April 14, 2013.

[3] "Billy Talent: s'unir dans l'indignation rock".La Presse+.January 17, 2017.

[CFNY-4] The Ongoing History of New Music ArchivedOctober 20, 2006, at theWayback Machine."Before They Were Famous"Original Broadcast date: 13-11-05 onCFNY.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]