Backstory:
Trivial Democrat is a band born out of the ashes of a college rock band, ‘Barefoot Chardonnay’. Graduated and disillusioned with the mundanity of everyday life, the three members, Charlie Harrison (vocals and guitar), Sofia Ruiz (drums), and Peter O’Donnell (bass), came together to create music that would reflect their views on society, politics, and life in general. Taking inspiration from their shared love for punk rock, they formed ‘Trivial Democrat’ in 2015 in a tiny garage in downtown Los Angeles.

Despite the name, their music isn’t strictly politically driven. Rather, they explore all facets of life, from existential angst to joys of love, through a refreshingly honest and raw lens. Their passionate performances, layered with profound lyrics and heavy, energetic music, gained them a strong cult following. They released their debut album in 2018, garnering critical acclaim and setting them up as a band to watch out for in the punk rock scene.

Genre: Punk Rock

Title: “Broken Cogs in the Machine”

Full Song Lyrics:

(Verse 1)
[G] Woke up today, [D] same as yesterday
[Em] Staring at the ceiling, [C] counting all my feelings
[G] Does it matter anyway, [D] if we’re just broken cogs in the machine? [Em] [C]

(Chorus)
[Am] We’re just broken cogs, [D] in this grand machine
[G] Grinding down our dreams, [C] to feed the beast
[Am] We’re just broken cogs, [D] lost in routine
[G] Waiting for a revolution, [C] to free the lost dream.

(Verse 2)
[G] Trapped in this system, [D] we call democracy
[Em] Lost voices echo, [C] in the silent bureaucracy
[G] Fighting for a dream, [D] are we just broken cogs in the machine? [Em] [C]

(Chorus)

(Outro)
[G] One day we’ll rise, [D] break this machine
[Em] We’re not broken cogs, [C] but dreamers unseen
[G] The day will come, [D] when we’ll no longer be
[Em] Broken cogs in the machine [C].

Fan Testimonial:

“My name is Emily Patterson, and I’m the biggest Trivial Democrat fan. Their music speaks to me on a level no other band ever has. ‘Broken Cogs in the Machine’ literally changed my life. I was going through a tough time, feeling lost and unheard, and this song reminded me that I’m not alone in my frustration. Trivial Democrat may not be mainstream, but their authenticity and rawness are what makes them stand out. Their music resonates with me, and I believe it will continue to inspire and connect with many others as well.”