Benjamin Kowalewicz
| Benjamin Kowalewicz | |
|---|---|
 Benjamin Kowalewicz live at Cardiff University Students' Union, July 8, 2006. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Benjamin Kowalewicz |
| Born |
December 16, 1975 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Origin | Streetsville, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Alternative rock, punk rock, post-hardcore, hardcore punk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Drums |
| Labels |
Atlantic (2002–present) Warner (2002–present) Roadrunner (2009–present) |
| Associated acts |
Billy Talent To Each His Own |
Benjamin Kowalewicz (/ˌkɒvæˈlɛvɪtʃ/; born December 16, 1975, in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian singer and the lead singer of the Punk rock band Billy Talent.
Biography
Kowalewicz, of Polish descent, was born December 16, 1975 in Pierrefonds, Quebec. He was raised in Streetsville, Ontario, but now lives in downtown Toronto. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School, where he was a drummer in a band named To Each His Own. In this band he would meet Jonathan Gallant. Kowalewicz moved from drummer to vocals and rhythm guitar, and Aaron Solowoniuk was recruited to play drums. The three would then meet Ian D'Sa to form a band called Pezz. Pezz released their first album, Watoosh!, in 1998.[1] 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 from Michael Turner's Hard Core Logo. Kowalewicz focused his work on vocals only, and Billy Talent was born. In this time, Kowalewicz worked in a number of positions at Toronto radio station 102.1 the Edge, as an assistant for The Ongoing History of New Music host Alan Cross, to contribute funds towards Billy Talent's first album.
Kowalewicz is featured in the song "Smiling Politely" by Cancer Bats from their album Hail Destroyer. He was featured in the song "Wake Up the Town" by Anti-Flag, which was a bonus track on their 2008 album The Bright Lights of America.
His home in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto was featured on the Canadian home decorating show Designer 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 married his girlfriend, Rachelle Turner, after a 6-year relationship in August 2011.
Discography
- Album appearances
- Pezz – Watoosh! (1998)
- Billy Talent – Billy Talent (2003)
- Billy Talent – Billy Talent II (2006)
- Billy Talent – Billy Talent III (2009)
- Billy Talent – Dead Silence (2012)
- Billy Talent - Hits (2014)
- Billy Talent - Afraid of Heights (2016)
- Guest appearance
- Anti-Flag – The Bright Lights of America on "Wake Up the Town" (2008)
- Cancer Bats – Hail Destroyer on "Smiling Politely" (2008)
- Rise Against – Prayer of the Refugee Occasional live appearances.
References
- ↑ The Ongoing History of New Music. "Before They Were Famous" Original Broadcast date: 13-11-05 on CFNY.