For over 45 years, singer Dave Dictor has been flying the flag for MDC, a band whose moniker can change whenever the band finds a suitable acronym. Past records have included titles and songs such as Multi-Death Corporations, Millions of Dead Children, Millions of Dead Cowboys, Magnus Dominus Corpus, Missile-Destroyed Civilization, Metal Devil Cokes, and Millions of Dead Cops: The band’s most widely used name.
Photo by David Ensminger
‘War Is A Racket’ is the band’s tenth and latest full-length offering which stands up nicely in their catalog against fan favorites ‘Millions of Dead Cops’ (1982), ‘Smoke Signals’ (1986), ‘This Blood’s for You’ (1987), and ‘Metal Devil Cokes’ (1989). For those haven’t listened to the new album, check out the title track, “Demagogue,” “The Big Lie,” and the record’s standout track, “Government Cheese.”
While the band has always been considered left-leaning or even apolitical at times, the majority of Dictor’s lyrics still deal with myriad topics from homophobia to the vegan lifestyle, anti-capitalism to homelessness, the plight of veterans to anti-organized religion stances.
Originally formed in Austin, Texas, MDC have also been included on numerous compilations and split releases and still have a large pool of songs to pull from that includes 7” singles, live offerings, and more. Even though the group eventually moved to San Francisco, Dictor has been living in Oregon for quite some time and has been regularly touring up and down the West Coast.
MDC’s upcoming run of California dates starts in Chico on February 7th and ends February 10th at The Ivy Room. At present, the band is rounded out by guitarist Barry d’live Ward, bassist Erica Liss, and drummer Adam Crisis.
MDC play Cafe Colonial located at 3520 Stockton Blvd. in Sacramento. Rounding out this punk-leaning bill is Riotgun, Mob Rule, and Class of ‘77. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 here at cafecolonial916.com. Cafe Colonial is located at 3520 Stockton Blvd.. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts promptly at 7:30pm. As always, all ages are welcome.
(Capital Chaos TV)