On March 17, 2006, Billy Talent drummer Aaron Solowoniuk wrote a letter to fans explaining the meaning behind the song This Is How It Goes.
It opened their debut album, which had already been out for almost three years. The meaning behind the song itself was vague as vocalist Ben Kowalewicz would quietly note it was about someone close to the band, but declined to go into specifics.
The band were wise to sit on this demo which was recorded years earlier under their previous moniker Pezz. Produced by Gavin Brown, the three-and-a-half minute blast brims with piss and vinegar, and it's hard to think of many better opening songs on a debut punk album in recent memory.
And it was time to reveal the sad truth behind the fan-favourite.
"This is a song about one of Ben’s friends that has multiple sclerosis," explained Solowoniuk in a post via their official site. "Today I would like to let you know that I am that friend with MS. I want to start with saying that this changes nothing about my band or me. I’m actually stronger both mentally and physically than I’ve ever been in my life."
Almost a decade earlier, Solowoniuk started experiencing symptoms of the chronic disease. Like his bandmates, the drummer held down a day job while they were finding their way around the Toronto scene as Pezz.
Kowalewicz worked at a radio station, guitarist Ian D’Sa studied animation, and bassist Jonathan Gallant pursued a business degree (he didn't complete it, by all accounts). Solowoniuk, meanwhile, worked at the DaimlerChrysler plant, helping build the Intrepid, Concorde and 300M models; he earned more than he had at the Toronto Auto Auction while his flexible shifts gave him more time to play shows with Pezz.
