There are a lot of mediocre bands in Richmond, yet McKinley Dixon is emerging as the face of what the music scene should be. Why? Because in a political age cast from the worst excesses of our own human nature, Dixon is making us confront our most unpleasant realities. Unlike other bands who lead us to believe that things are somehow alright, he takes us to a place of police brutality, racism, and self-loathing. This is worth something as we struggle to make sense of the arrant complexity that now intersects with our everyday lives.
Here are the many faces of McKinley Dixon who performed last night at The Camel.
“With his, Black beanie, He walks in the dead of night”
“Only way to see him, Is if he’s lit up by street lights”
“He’s slightly taller than the average human height”
“But the shadow he cast might easily give one fright”
“He’s peaceful, But you wouldn’t know it”
“Two kids at home, He was grocery shopping”
“Something was stolen, From the other side of the store”
“Owner quickly molded, The suspect to look like him”
“Now add in the police component”
“They, Came lurking”
“Walking in complete silence, They clicked the loaded gun”
*Lyrics from The Everyday People by McKinely Dixon. Photos by Landon Shroder
