New Billy Talent Song Inspired by Rob Ford
Earlier this month, Toronto rockers Billy Talent released their Hits album, a greatest hits collection that featured two brand new 
tracks: “Chasing the Sun” and “Kingdom of Zod.”
Ahead of Hits becoming available, Billy Talent drummer Aaron Solowoniuk explained to Riffyou.com that “Chasing the Sun” was largely about the passing of his brother.
As for “Kingdom of Zod,” frontman Ben Kowalewicz has now told Alternative Press that the heavier of the band’s new songs was partly inspired by the fiasco that was Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.
“I’m sure you’ve heard about [Toronto’s] now-defunct mayor, Rob Ford,” Kowalewicz asked the interviewer. “He made a complete mockery of our city and the beautiful people that live in it, and we were just listening to how that all transpired, how it was all going down. We were sick and tired of people who get in front of the microphone and say something, and then don’t stand behind their convictions. We’re kind of fucking fed up by that.”
He continued: “It was a really big point of contention here in our city, for months and months and months. I had never seen such a divide, and such a passion for change in our city, and that’s where the song stemmed from. Believing in yourself, believing in your community, and knowing that the truth is out there and that there are a lot of like-minded people just down the road from you.”
It’s hard to thank Ford for much, but perhaps we can shake his hand for helping “Kingdom of Zod” come to life?
-Adam Grant
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