Tramshed, Cardiff
Mon 24 Oct
Billy Talent’s Cardiff show in October will be supporting fifth album Afraid Of Heights. But contrary to the anthemic and upbeat nature of tracks like Louder Than The DJ, recording sessions were perhaps the hardest in the band’s history. This was due to drummer Aaron Solowoniuk’s struggles with multiple sclerosis.
“Every person has a different story when it comes to MS,” Solowoniuk explains. “I have a form called relapsing remitting, where you have these random relapses, coming with fatigue and depression.” He has openly lived with the neurological condition for over a decade, setting up F.U.MS (Fuck You Multiple Sclerosis) shortly after his diagnosis, a series of events to raise money and awareness in response to a lack of youth-based programmes for MS sufferers. “F.U.MS was born out of me being angry at being diagnosed at such a young age. I found out kids as young as 10 were getting diagnosed.”
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In 2016, he has had to sit out of the album recording and the tour to give himself some rest. “My whole day is going to the gym and working with trainers and nutritionists,” he explains. Alexisonfire’s Jordan Hastings has taken over drumming duties, set for some busy nights when his other band Say Yes support Billy Talent on the UK tour. “Jordan was an easy pick for us. He’s a good friend and an amazing drummer,” Solowoniuk says.
Billy Talent fans needn’t worry about a lack of chemistry with Jordan, as by the time they reach Cardiff, the band will have toured cities all around the world, not least the Paradise City. “Watching Billy Talent support Guns N’ Roses in Canada was mental!” Solowoniuk reminisces. “I just teared up, it was so amazing. I wanted to be up there, but I was so glad that the band kept moving forward, playing to an audience of 27,000 people!”
Solowoniuk is still very much a member of the band, featuring in all of the promo pictures for the album. “There’s always merch designs, plans for who’s going to open for tours. The only thing I’m not able to do right now is touring. I’m really, really looking forward to getting back into that world if I can.”
Tickets: £19. Info: 029 2023 5555 ALEC EVANS
For more info on F.U.MS, visit: www.turningangerintohope.com