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MDC: Memoir from a Damaged Civilization

MDC: Memoir from a Damaged Civilization

Stories of Punk, Fear, and Redemption

by Dave Dictor

Published by: Manic D Press, Inc.

Imprint: Manic D Press, Inc.

192 Pages, 5.50 x 8.50 in, B&W photographs

Paperback
9781933149981
Published: May 2016

$15.95

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Description
Contents
Authors
Praise

A searing punk memoir by an American original rebelling against conformity, complacency, and conservatism with his iconic band, MDC.

From the time Dave Dictor was young, he knew he was a little different than the all-American kids around him. Radicalized politically while in high school, inspired to seize opportunities by his hard-working parents, and intrigued with gender fluidity, Dictor moved to Austin, and connected with local misfits and anti-establishment rock'n'rollers. He began penning songs that influenced American punk rock for decades.

MDC always has been in the vanguard of social struggles, confronting homophobia in punk rock during the early 1980s; invading America's heartland at sweltering Rock Against Reagan shows; protesting the Pope's visit to San Francisco in 1987; in 1993 they were the first touring US punk band to reach a volatile Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Dictor's narrative is a raw portrait of an American underground folk-hero who stood on the barricades advocating social justice and spreading punk's promise to a global audience. Part poet, renegade, satirist, and lover, he is an authentic, homegrown character carrying the progressive punk fight into the twenty-first century.

Dave Dictor is singer, lyricist, and founding member of legendary American punk band MDC (Millions of Dead Cops). Since 1979, Dictor has toured throughout the world with MDC, releasing more than nine albums with MDC that sold more than 125,000 copies. MDC continues to tour, playing over sixty concerts each year. Dictor's MDC song, "John Wayne Was a Nazi," was featured in the best-selling video game Grand Theft Auto 5. He appeared in the film American Hardcore and resides in Portland, Oregon.

Chapter 1: My Family is a Little Weird
Chapter 2: Going Home With The Armadillo
Chapter 3: No War No KKK, No Fascist USA
Chapter 4: Oh John Wayne, John Wayne
Chapter 5: Exene, John Doe, and Me
Chapter 6: Banned From Rauls
Chapter 7: How the Stains/MDC made its way to San Francisco
Chapter 8: Soup Kitchens and San Francisco
Chapter 9: Timmy Yohannon
Chapter 10: Bad Brains
Chapter 11: Spring, Summer, Fall
Chapter 12: You're Our Commie Fag
Chapter 13: European Tour: MDC, Dead Kennedys, Peter and
the Test Tube Babies
Chapter 14: Back to Berlin to Holland To England
Chapter 15: Penny, Gee, and Me
Chapter 16: Rock Against Reagan Tour 1983
Chapter 17: After July 3rd
Chapter 18: Second European Tour Starts
Chapter 19: Keep Italian In Your Heart
Chapter 20: Home on the Range
Chapter 21: July 4, 1984
Chapter 22: Mark Dubicki
Chapter 23: The Gordon Frazier Days
Chapter 24: The Pope, the Secret Service, and MDC
Chapter 25: Metal Devil Cokes, 1988
Chapter 26: Bad Moon At Gilman
Chapter 27: Dead Cops Rock
Chapter 28: If I Had A Face Like Yours I'd Shave My Ass
And Walk Backwards, 1990
Chapter 29: Drive a Chevrolet across the USA
Chapter 30: To Russia With Love
Chapter 31: Henry Rollins and David Dictor
Chapter 32: Sleeping With The Enemy
Chapter 33: Useless Pieces Of Shit
Chapter 34: DARE
Chapter 35: Pig Champion
Chapter 36: Sheet
Chapter 37: Mr. Fucko
Chapter 38: The Best Dog I Never Wanted
Chapter 39: Some People Are Born To Play Bass
Chapter 41: Harley, John Joseph, and Me
Chapter 43: The Talented Mr. Dictor
Chapter 44: Not Just Falling Off The Wagon But Under It
Chapter 45: Back to Glen Cove, 2000-2004
Chapter 46: Then Back Out to Portland, 2004-Present
Epilogue: Love In Every Breath

Dave Dictor is singer, lyricist, and founding member of the legendary American punk band MDC (Millions of Dead Cops). Since 1979, Dictor has toured throughout the world with MDC, has released more than 9 albums with MDC that sold more than 125,000 copies. MDC continues to play 60+ concerts each year in the US and Europe. Dictor's MDC song, "John Wayne Was A Nazi," was featured in the best-selling video game, Grand Theft Auto 5. He appeared in the film, American Hardcore, and currently resides in Portland.

"Dave Dictor doesn’t just sing punk, he lives it. This is his saga." — Lynn Breedlove, Tribe 8

"... A nuanced portrait of an American underground folk-hero who spread punk's promise to a global audience. Brace yourself." — David Ensminger, author, Left of the Dial

"1982's Millions of Dead Cops album represented a milestone in radical politics and music." — Steven Blush, American Hardcore

"I love this guy." — Gary Floyd, The Dicks