Billy Talent Exceed Canada’s Expectations

Canadian bands aren’t exactly known for selling a whole lot of albums all at once, at least not compared to their American counterparts. Sure, we have a couple huge names that sell millions across the world, but for a band like Billy Talent, the numbers their sophomore album drew wasn’t something they were expecting. Talking to drummer Aaron Solowoniuk at their Barrie Warped Tour date, proved that even bands can be surprised at their success.

“I didn’t know what to think. It was like platinum before it was even out. The first day it was out, it was shipping platinum and it sold close to gold in its first week. Being in a band in Canada, that just doesn’t make sense. Thinking about it right now, that’s just a weird accomplishment to have. All it really is is another picture for the wall, but it’s a pretty amazing feat. It’s really cool for us to have been able to have two albums that have done so well in our home country, so it’s really really, really exciting.”

That day in Barrie was also the second most successful date in Warped Tour and Billy Talent had the hometown advantage, especially since it was the first time they would play songs off of Billy Talent II since its release in June. Aaron, joined by vocalist Ben Kowalewicz, guitarist Ian D’Sa and bassist Jon Gallant, had a lot to look forward to.

“We’ve played a different city every day and people are singing along to every single word and we’ve never played these songs to our hometown, to really anywhere in Canada yet, so I’m excited. Everywhere we’ve played has been in parking lots of amphitheatres, so there’s not really any vibe and then we come here and play Molson Park (Park Place), which has so much history for us, it’s a great feeling. The atmosphere today is so awesome, good weather, everything today is going good. One of my dreams was to play on that stage (at Molson Park). Like when Lollapalooza was there, and Edgefest and Green Day played on that stage. That would be amazing and we’re so close. We’re in the same place, we could set it up.”

The aptly named Billy Talent II took off the second the first single “Devil In A Midnight Mass” was released and while most bands have to fight for their choice of singles, the band takes a different approach by deciding with the label and strangely enough everyone agreed.

“We’re so comfortable with every song that there really isn’t a song on the record that we would be mad if the record company said ‘We want to use this song as a single.’ And to get them involved, we basically used the record. They said ‘We want ‘Devil In A Midnight Mass’ to be first’ and we were like that’s what we would’ve picked anyways and they said ‘We want ‘Red Flag’ to be second’ and it’s like there you go, that’s what we would’ve picked second.”

Even though Billy Talent haven’t toured Canada yet since the release, we’re still going to have to wait for that live show that the band has made themselves known for, but coming home to play is something the band always looks forward to. Actually, touring at all is something the band loves to do and they’ll take almost any chance they have.

“If it’s working then that’s what’s supposed to happen. I wouldn’t want to not be offered any tours. And the tours we’ve been getting offered are fantastic so that just makes it all better. The headlining shows in Europe and Germany have been selling out. We’re having a blast, it’s a dream come true.”

For Billy Talent, being a great live band is just as important as having a good sounding album and that always comes across regardless of where they’re playing or for how long. Aaron has a theory about why their fans react so well.

“It all depends on the act that’s there. If there’s a band coming in that no one really knows about then people just stand there, but I can honestly say that Canadian fans are a lot more fun to play in front of. I think (people connect so well) it’s because we’re believable. Ben is believable, he’s not fake, he’s just being himself. A lot of bands come onstage and you can just tell that they’re not real.”

Now that Warped Tour is over, Billy Talent are heading back out on the road with a band they’ve already been playing with for months, Rise Against. While the original tour won’t hit Canada, the second round will.

“Their setting up their record by headlining this whole entire thing (Warped Tour) and the album’s doing really well in America and now they’re going to do this headlining tour across America and they’re bringing out Thursday with them and they asked us to be first on and we just jumped on it because we need to be playing in front of kids in America, we need to spend more time in the States. It’s just a massive country and it’s really hard to get kids to understand what you’re trying to do as a musician. So we need to keep going back and keep going back and then we’re bringing Rise Against across Canada with us in January/February. So it’s going to be like a switch.”

By the time they get here, we’ll probably be on the fourth single and still going strong and the fans will likely be absolutely crazy and that seems to be something the band is going for. I don’t think any of us can imagine just how huge Billy Talent will end up, but it’ll be to watch it happen.

- Alyssa Caplin

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