“Broken Promises Town” is a working-class protest anthem aimed squarely at the hollow ritual of modern politics — campaign slogans, staged concern, and carefully rehearsed empathy that evaporates the moment power is secured. It speaks for the towns that get remembered every four years and forgotten the rest of the time.

Set in the lived reality of underfunded schools, decaying infrastructure, and families holding the line through grit rather than government rescue, the song rejects performative leadership and exposes the widening gap between words and action. This isn’t nostalgia, and it isn’t rage for rage’s sake — it’s accountability set to rhythm.

Musically rooted in Appalachian Americana and outlaw Southern rock traditions, the track leans on grit, restraint, and forward momentum rather than polish. The tone is defiant but grounded, reflecting a community that has learned self-reliance not by choice, but by necessity.

“Broken Promises Town” is part of the Basically Done Original Soundtrack — the official musical companion to Donald E. Pickett’s novel Basically Done and the upcoming Basically Done series/franchise. Together, the music and narrative form a shared cultural chronicle of integrity tested, systems exposed, and people choosing resolve over resignation.

This song doesn’t ask for reform theater.
It demands receipts.

Broken Promises Town

Super Taranta!

For the volunteers of the YPG.  This is a track from my 2017 album, Ballad of a Wobbly, which can be downloaded or streamed in its entirety at www.davidrovics.bandcamp.com.

Rojava

I wrote this song to alienate all of my friends, but most of them ended up having a sense of humor so it didn't work very well.

This is a track from my album, Big Red Sessions, which can be downloaded for free or by donation here:
http://davidrovics.com/big-red-sessions/new-album.php

I'm A Better Anarchist Than You

One of my best-known songs, thanks in large part to the Pirate Party in Germany.  For more on the Golden Age of Piracy, see Markus Rediker and other authors...

Black Flag Flying

The Butcher's Share

The Butcher's Sher

Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike

I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again

East Infection

Mala Vida

Bad Blood + Blasphemy

Start a Fire

2017 album recorded at Big Red Studio with Billy Oskay, Elona Planman and others.

13. Failed State

Singer/songwriter, writer, podcaster (on Spotify, Substack & Patreon), libertarian socialist, dad, lover of life.  I also write songs as part of Ai Tsuno, which you can look up on all the streaming platforms.