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Benjamin Kowalewicz
Benjamin Kowalewicz live at Cardiff University Students' Union, July 8, 2006.
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Kowalewicz
Born	December 16, 1975 (1975-12-16) (age 34)[1]
Origin	Montréal, Québec, Canada
Genres	Alternative rock Post hardcore punk rock
Occupations	Singer, songwriter
Instruments	vocals, Guitar, drums
Associated acts	Billy Talent (formerly "Pezz") To Each His Own Anti-Flag Cancer Bats

Benjamin Kowalewicz (pronounced /ˈkɒvəlɛvɪtʃ/) is the lead singer of the Canadian rock band Billy Talent.

Biography

Kowalewicz, of Polish descent, was born December 16, 1975, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was raised in Streetsville, Ontario, but now lives in downtown Toronto. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School, where he was originally a drummer in a band named "To Each His Own". In this band he would meet Jonathan Gallant. After drumming for "To Each His Own" Ben moved to the bands vocals and rhythm guitar. The band then recruited Aaron Solowoniuk to play the drums. The three would then meet the final member Ian D'Sa and so they formed a band called "Pezz". "Pezz" released their first album Watoosh! in 1998^[2]. When threatened with a lawsuit from an American band who was also using the name Pezz , Kowalewicz suggested the name Kafka's Holiday, but eventually they settled on Billy Talent, taken from a character of Michael Turner's Hard Core Logo movie based on the book. The rest of the band agreed, Ben moved straight ahead to just vocals, 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 eponymous album.

Ben is featured in the song "Smiling Politely" by Cancer Bats from their album Hail Destroyer. He was also 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 and also in the video for Goldfinger's "Superman".

His house in downtown Toronto was featured on the Toronto based home decorating show Designer Guys. Ben is also a vegetarian.

Bands Associated With

• Billy Talent

Guest Appearances

• Anti-Flag
• Cancer Bats

Notes