The Toronto-based band Rock Plaza Central is self-described as Canada’s best alt-not-country-orchestra. I recently caught wind of the band after stumbling across a new video for their song titled (Don’t You Believe the Words of) Handsome Men, which was created by Josh Lyon and Lenny Epstein. These local creative types are the same minds behind the Apple Crisp Video Club, as well as a few other videos we’ve featured here in the past.  As the title of this song suggests, Rock Plaza Central warns us to remain vigilant, and be wary of talking heads who make empty promises.

Band leader Chris Eaton came up with the concept for the music video, which incorporates footage of famous political and corporate types including Steven Harper, Michael Ignatieff, Jack Layton, Elizabeth May, Gillles Duceppe, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Bill Gates. Eaton goes on to explain the concept and song’s meaning as follows:

Somehow the job of politicians has gone from serving their countries to just trying to win elections, and from leading by example to belittling the opposition so much that they are elected by being the lesser evil. Many of the lyrics in the song emerge from the story of William Faulkner’s Light in August. You can hear that in the parts about the young woman who is convinced by a young man that he loves her, and when she becomes pregnant, he skips town. The story is a metaphor, and because I like to have multiple meanings in my songs, it’s also a strong comment from me about the music industry, and how as soon as people start finding out who you are, all of these slick business guys start calling and telling you what you should do. It’s also about how most of today’s politicians will just tell you what the polls have told them you want to hear, and then you’re ultimately let down. It makes me kind of sick to my stomach. And basically, I think we can do better as humans.

Be sure to hit the play button below to check out efforts of Josh and Lenny for Rock Plaza Central. I’m really excited to see this band live, and will be sure to let you know the next time they stop by for a performance in Kingston.