Billy Talent Are Big In Germany

Billy Talent are nominated for five Juno Awards this weekend, but, even if they're shut out by voters in their homeland, they'll always have Germany to fall back on.

The Toronto band approach Saga-like popularity in the Rhineland, and on Sunday in Berlin they were honoured with the best international rock/alternative and best international newcomer prizes at the country's Echo Music Awards. The wins shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, however, as Billy Talent II debuted at #1 on the German sales chart upon its release last June and was one of the country's top 10 sellers of the year (though that was somewhat aided by the fact that David Hasselhoff didn't have a new LP out).

Billy Talent recently received platinum awards for German sales in excess of 200,000 for their sophomore LP, and they recently completed a successful European tour.

Billy Talent II has been certified double-platinum for sales of more than 200,000 in Canada. The group will perform on CTV's live April 1 broadcast of the Juno show in Saskatoon, where they're up for the album, rock album, single, group and video of the year titles.

Billy Talent's new single, "Surrender," will be serviced to Canadian radio stations on April 2.