DENVER — Punk within the Park, a three-day punk rock pageant held on the Nationwide Western Stockyards, kicked off with controversy overshadowing the packed lineup of 40-plus bands.
As extreme climate briefly disrupted the primary evening of performances, the pageant attendees additionally mentioned the political storm brewing within the punk group.
Two bands, Destiny Bond and Time Heist, introduced their withdrawal from the pageant after discovering Cameron Collins, proprietor of Brew HaHa Productions — the manufacturing firm behind Punk within the Park — had donated to Donald Trump’s presidential marketing campaign together with different right-wing political teams, according to FEC reports.
Their sudden exit sparked heated debates amongst punk followers, aligning with the style’s anti-establishment roots.
Brandon Alan Lewis, proprietor of Punkerton Records, first uncovered Collins’ political contributions and felt compelled to inform others.
“I felt like individuals at the very least had the correct to know,” mentioned Lewis, explaining how this revelation conflicts with punk’s basic beliefs. “I simply felt prefer it was the antithesis of what we symbolize in punk rock.”
Since then, a petition demanding the pageant’s shutdown started circulating.
Collins responded by way of e-mail, stating, “On the finish of the day, our occasions will not be about politics — they’re about music, connection, and good occasions…and never as soon as have I ever censored or restricted a band’s message or voice.”
Learn Collins’ full assertion beneath.
My focus has at all times been on bringing individuals collectively—not dividing them. Brew Ha Ha Productions exists to create inclusive, enjoyable, and secure areas the place individuals from all walks of life—no matter race, sexuality, beliefs, or political beliefs—can come collectively to rejoice music and group.
The punk rock scene I fell in love with and have been part of since I used to be 14 years outdated has at all times been rooted in individuality, questioning authority, and standing up at no cost expression. That ethos continues to information every thing we do.
On the finish of the day, our occasions will not be about politics—they’re about music, connection, and good occasions. That’s the place my coronary heart is, and that’s the place it’s going to remain.
Over time, I’ve proudly supplied a platform for artists to succeed in lots of of hundreds of followers. We’ve paid tens of millions of {dollars} in artist ensures, and never as soon as have I ever censored or restricted a band’s message or voice. Our monitor report speaks for itself.
To recommend in any other case isn’t solely false—it basically misrepresents who I’m, what I stand for, and what Brew Ha Ha Productions embodies.
The pageant continues amid rising discussions amongst followers, who largely assist the bands’ determination to withdraw.
Cole Kaiser stood by the bands’ decisions, stating, “If you realize that is how they really feel and that is what they wish to do, I believe they need to stick by their beliefs.”
Davey Dangerously shared, “You already know, we’re all speaking about it, so it is a massive deal to us,” highlighting the affect of the problem on the punk group.
Cora Weatherby echoed the sentiment, saying, “Actually, I am not like most pumped to be supporting that both, however I already purchased my tickets, and it is punk to be broke, in order that’s unlucky, however yeah, so truthfully, I believe they’re proper to do this, and I am shocked extra bands have not, however then I additionally perceive that, you realize, they want the income.”
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