MDC – How ‘Millions of Dead Cops’ Became an Anti‑Police Anthem

From a raw Austin outfit in 1980 to a touring San Francisco band, MDC channeled punk fury into an uncompromising critique of policing and power. Their 1982 Alternative Tentacles release “Millions of Dead Cops” forged a template for protest music that merged aggressive sound with activist messaging, while their vegan advocacy expanded punk’s ethical horizons. This episode traces the scene infrastructure, DIY networks, police confrontations, and the band’s lasting influence on later protest‑punk acts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices