blink-182

Blink-182 came to prominence in the early 90s punk scene in California where their energetic shows made them a hit with crowds. The group was signed to independent label Cargo Records where they released their debut album “Cheshire Cat”. While the album was not commercially successful, it picked up a lot of buzz and is considered an iconic pop punk album of the time.

The buzz generated by this first album caused a bidding war between multiple mainstream labels and the band eventually signed with MCA. Drummer Scott Raynor’s disagreement with this decision contributed to his drifting from the band and he was eventually fired in 1998 and replaced by Travis Barker.

With the new record label and new line up settled, Blink-182 released “Enema of the State” in 1999 and quickly rose to fame with singles “Adam’s Song”, “All the Small Things” and “What’s My Age Again?” all receiving regular airtime on MTV. The album was the band’s most successful release to date and went to number 9 on the US Billboard chart.

The stress of constant touring and promotion as well as differences about where the band should go with their next album boiled to a head and caused the band to go on an indefinite hiatus in 2005. After Travis Barker was involved in a serious plane crash, the group reunited in 2008 and went on to start work on their sixth studio album, “Neighborhoods”, which was released in 2011 and charted at number 2 in the US.

Blink-182 has cited The Ramones, The Cure and The Vandals, amongst others, as influences for their music, but the reality is that Blink-182 are massive influencers and inspirations for musicians all around the world. The band inspired the second wave of pop punk music in the new millennium and also single-handedly bought this music into the mainstream. For this reason, their music will certainly live on for generations.

Formed of high school friends Ben Kowalewicz (vocalist), Ian D’Sa (guitarist), Jon Gallant (bassist), and Aaron Solowoniuk (drummer), Billy Talent had previously performed under the moniker Pezz. Featuring a punk-revivalist sound the band made their debut recording “Demoluca” in D’Sa’s basement in 1994. After a subsequent demo “Dudebox” the band started to gain more exposure in and around Toronto aided by their debut full-length “Watoosh”. The independently-released album, produced by Brad Nelson, introduced the band’s new new pop punk delivery with Kowalewicz singing in melody with D’Sa. After pressure from American punk band Pezz, the band became Billy Talent and began wiggling their way towards a recording contract. After a useful connection with Jen Hirst, who was later hired by Warner Music Canada, led to meeting their producer Gavin Brown, the band singed a co-agreement with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Canada in 2002.

Billy Talent’s major-label debut “Billy Talent” was released in the Autumn of 2003 and earned positive reviews from the musical press. Noted for its singles “Try Honesty”, “The Ex”, “River Below” and “Nothing to Lose”, the album peaked at No 6 on the Canadian Albums chart and went on to be certified 3x platinum. The release also led to receiving two Juno Awards for Best Album of the Year, and Best Band of the Year, and was promoted with an extensive tour of Canada, the U.S., and parts of Europe.

Recorded in Vancouver, British Columbia, “Billy Talent II” was issued in June 2006 and topped the album chart in Canada. Having developed from the un-focused, profanity-rich thrust of their debut, “Billy Talent II” represents a more mature band who continue to develop their sound. Once again Billy Talent supported the album with a 18-month worldwide tour including small shows in the likes of Finland and Belgium, as well as arena shows alongside Rise Against, Anti-Flag, and Moneen.

The album “Billy Talent III” appeared in 2009 following appearances at Coachella festival, the UK’s Download and Reading & Leeds Festivals, and Australia’s Soundwave Festival. The band’s third full-length, like its predecessor, topped the Canadian Albums Chart, spawning the singles “Turn Your Back”, “Rusted from the Rain”, and “Devil on My Shoulder”. Ahead of their fourth album Billy Talent released the singles “Viking Death March” and “Surprise Surprise”. The album, “Dead Silence”, arrived in September 2012 and earned much stronger reviews than its predecessor for its ambitious change of style.