Fast playing anarchist punk act MDC formed in Austin, Texas in 1979. The band was known as the Stains early on, quickly taking on the moniker of MDC. The name itself changed meanings on each release, most famously standing for Millions of Dead Cops, but also at times representing Millions of Damn Christians, Millions of Dead Capitalists, Millions of Dead Congressmen, Millions of Dead Children, Missile Destroyed Civilization, or Multi–Death Corporation, Male Dominated Culture, Marine Death Corps, and Magnus Dominus Corpus. MDC relocated to San Francisco in 1982 and were active participants in the local punk and hardcore scene.

Dave "Knucklehead" Dictor has been the only constant member throughout MDC's history, and is now based in Portland, OR. The original line up of Dictor, drummer Al Schvitz, guitarist Ron Posner and bassist Mikey "Offender" Donaldson recently reunited. Schvitz resides in Portland also, while Posner and Donaldson live abroad in Venezuela and Holland respectively.