Billy Talent Interview,... 
    07.11.2003 .::. Underground, Cologne 

Nur für drei Shows in fucking Germany, die kanadischen Newcomer-Kracher Billy Talent. Eine davon, Gott sei Dank, im Underground Köln. Ein Muss für uns, die 4 sehr talentierten Billys mal genauer kennen zu lernen und im abgedunkelten Backstage-Raum mit Schreihals Benjamin Kowalewicz und Bassist Jon Gallant über Musik, Zukunftspläne und das gemeinsame Leben als Band zu unterhalten. Leider haben wir uns kurz vor dem Interview-Termin erneut hoffnungslos in Köln verfahren und kamen so ein wenig später zum Gespräch. (An dieser Stelle ein Dankeschön an die bescheuerten Kölner Straßenplaner)! Genug der langen Worte... hier das Interview in english please:  frk: Where do you come from?  Ben: We’re from Toronto/Ontario Canada.

    frk: And when did you first met?

    Jon: We 4 met in Highschool in 1993. All of us played in different bands before, but when we
    came together, these bands broke up and we started a band together. 
 

    frk:  Do you think that your hometown, the city you grew up in had an influence on your way 
    and style of music?

    Ben: Sure, it did! We all grew up in the suburbs of Toronto. We were never interested in sports
    or something else. So we started making music. 
 

    frk: Is there a difference between Canada and the United States? The way of living, the way of
    making music?

    Ben: Yes there are differences, but a 20 year old boy or girl making music has the same feelings
    and thoughts in Canada, in the States, or somewhere else. I think the process of making music 
    is the same, wherever  you live or come from.
 

    frk: In the band, who writes the lyrics? All of you together?

    Jon: No, Ben writes all the lyrics.
 

    frk: And what are your lyrics about, Ben?

    Ben: Every song is different and so are the lyrics. It depends on my mood and other influences 
    what a song will be about, when I write new things. I write a lot in the third person, too.
 

    frk: And what are the songs about?

    Ben: Just things I am interested in.

    frk: The band name “Billy Talent” comes from a fictional character in Michael Turner’s book 
    “Hard Core Logo”! Do you read a lot? 

    Ben: John and Ian read the most. I read not so much. 
 

    frk: And what’s so special about the book “Hard Core Logo”? 

    Jon: First we saw the movie and then we read the book. It is about a Canadian Punkband of 
    the 80´s. The guitar player’s name is Billy Talent. And at the time we read the book we were 
    searching for a new band name. And Billy Talent was good.
 

    frk: What was the band’s name before? 

    Jon: It was PEZZ. 
 

    frk: Like the sweets? 

    Jon: Yes, now you understand why we were searching for a new name. 

    frk: Absolutely...
 

    frk: What do you think is the difference between an author of a book and a songwriter?  

    Ben: There’s no difference. Just the medium. It is the same message. 

    Jon: It is just a different way of presentation. 
 

    frk: This is your last day here in Germany! 

    Ben: Unfortunately, yes!

    frk: Will you come back soon?

    Jon: We will come back to Europe and Germany in spring next year and for several summer 
    festivals.
 
 

frk: Is there any special festival you      would really like to play on?     Ben: The Reading Festival in Leeds     would be very cool, but also      Terremoto and Pinkpop is great.     frk: Do you think that there is a      difference between the crowd in      Germany and the crowd in Canada?     Ben: No I don’t think that there is      a big difference between, but the      crowd in Germany is much older      than in Canada or the      United States.

    frk: What will be the next single out of your debut “Billy Talent”

    Ben: The next single is “The Ex”.
 

    frk: What is special about Billy Talent?

    Ben: It is our drummer Aaron.

    Jon: Yes, Aaaarroonnn.

    Ben: If the music is specialised by the people in the band, when they are real friends and enjoy 
    the music and have fun with it, I think that makes a band special.
 

    frk: What are your favourite bands or records?

    Ben: I listen to Hayden, a great Canadian singer. And “The Mars Volta”

    Jon: I listen to “Christianson”...Tool is great... ...and the new Strokes record is awesome.
 

    frk: Is there any band or musician you would really like to work or make a tour with?

    Ben:  There would be hundreds of bands. But “The Mars Volta” would be good.

    Jon: I would like to make a tour with the “Blood Brothers” or “Danko Jones”:
 

    frk:  The last question is a special question of our magazine. Crimes in the past. Are you into 
    criminal activities or have you ever done something criminal?

    Ben: No, no one else but me...I tried to rob a bank when I was 15 years old :-)
 

    frk:  Is there a support band tonight? 

    Ben: Yes, it is a band from Berlin...

    Jon: “Downshifter”...Nice guys.
 

    frk: Thanks a lot for the interview. We are really looking forward to see the show.

    Ben: Thank you, too.

    Jon: Thanks and see you at the show!
            

    interview: frank, michi
    text: michi