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Bands pull out of Denver's Punk in the Park festival over political donations
denver7 ^ | Jul 18, 2025 | Jaclyn Allen

Posted on 07/19/2025 4:19:48 AM PDT by real saxophonist

Bands pull out of Denver's Punk in the Park festival over political donations

Denver7 is getting to the bottom of alleged political donations by the festival organizer that caused backlash among performers

Two bands have withdrawn from the Punk in the Park festival, citing political donations from the event's organizer as the reason for their decision.

By: Jaclyn Allen

Jul 18, 2025

DENVER — Punk in the Park, a three-day punk rock festival held at the National Western Stockyards, kicked off with controversy overshadowing the packed lineup of 40-plus bands.

As severe weather briefly disrupted the first night of performances, the festival attendees also discussed the political storm brewing in the punk community.

Two bands, Destiny Bond and Time Heist, announced their withdrawal from the festival after discovering Cameron Collins, owner of Brew HaHa Productions — the production company behind Punk in the Park — had donated to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign along with other right-wing political groups, according to FEC reports.

Their sudden exit sparked heated debates among punk fans, aligning with the genre's anti-establishment roots.

Brandon Alan Lewis, owner of Punkerton Records, first uncovered Collins’ political contributions and felt compelled to inform others.

“I felt like people at least had the right to know,” said Lewis, explaining how this revelation conflicts with punk’s fundamental ideals. "I just felt like it was the antithesis of what we represent in punk rock."

Since then, a petition demanding the festival's shutdown began circulating.

Collins responded via email, stating, "At the end of the day, our events are not about politics — they’re about music, connection, and good times...and not once have I ever censored or restricted a band’s message or voice."

Read Collins' full statement below.

My focus has always been on bringing people together—not dividing them. Brew Ha Ha Productions exists to create inclusive, fun, and safe spaces where people from all walks of life—regardless of race, sexuality, beliefs, or political views—can come together to celebrate music and community.

The punk rock scene I fell in love with and have been a part of since I was 14 years old has always been rooted in individuality, questioning authority, and standing up for free expression. That ethos continues to guide everything we do.

At the end of the day, our events are not about politics—they’re about music, connection, and good times. That’s where my heart is, and that’s where it’s going to stay.

Over the years, I’ve proudly provided a platform for artists to reach hundreds of thousands of fans. We’ve paid millions of dollars in artist guarantees, and not once have I ever censored or restricted a band’s message or voice. Our track record speaks for itself.

To suggest otherwise is not only false—it fundamentally misrepresents who I am, what I stand for, and what Brew Ha Ha Productions embodies.

The festival continues amid rising discussions among fans, who largely support the bands' decision to withdraw.

Cole Kaiser stood by the bands' choices, stating, "If you know that's how they feel and that's what they want to do, I think they should stick by their beliefs."

Davey Dangerously shared, "You know, we're all talking about it, so it's a big deal to us," highlighting the impact of the issue on the punk community.

Cora Weatherby echoed the sentiment, saying, "Honestly, I'm not like most pumped to be supporting that either, but I already bought my tickets, and it's punk to be broke, so that's unfortunate, but yeah, so honestly, I think they're right to do that, and I'm surprised more bands haven't, but then I also understand that, you know, they need the revenue."


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; Society
KEYWORDS: brewhahaproductions; cameroncollins; colorado; denver; music; punkrock; tds
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To: Hyman Roth

Yeah, I haven’t heard of any of them either. My punk phase was way back in the 80’s.


21 posted on 07/19/2025 4:58:16 AM PDT by real saxophonist (Michael Bennet claps on 1 and 3.)
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To: Sirius Lee

Good post, thanks.


22 posted on 07/19/2025 4:59:48 AM PDT by real saxophonist (Michael Bennet claps on 1 and 3.)
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To: real saxophonist

LOL!

(and Johnny Rotten and any of the Ramones would choose Trump over those fragile teddy boys in Denver any day of the week...)


23 posted on 07/19/2025 5:14:57 AM PDT by Yardstick
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To: lee martell

Indeed.


24 posted on 07/19/2025 5:15:40 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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Comment #25 Removed by Moderator

To: No name given

I think Joey Ramone would have liked Trump.

Two guys from Queens NYC.


26 posted on 07/19/2025 5:17:31 AM PDT by Col Frank Slade
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To: Yardstick

How can that be? He ain’t broke!


27 posted on 07/19/2025 5:18:50 AM PDT by pingman ("Step right up! Get your free helicopter ride, courtesy of Pinochet Air!")
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To: real saxophonist
Brandon Alan Lewis, owner of Punkerton Records, first uncovered Collins’ political contributions and felt compelled to inform others. “I felt like people at least had the right to know,” said Lewis, explaining how this revelation conflicts with punk’s fundamental ideals. "I just felt like it was the antithesis of what we represent in punk rock."

You just knew the troublemaker, the turd in the punch bowl in the party of life, would be someone with a name like Brandon, or Karen, etc. He's a liar at heart. He didn't bring this up because anyone's "right to know" had been infringed or taken away or denied, as he would like people to assume. Anyone who waz interested and wanted to know could find out just as he did. It isn't a secret, after all. What Brandon really wants but doesn't admit, is that he wants to do as much damage to Brew Ha Ha / promoter of the event as he can out of pure spite, even if he ruins the event for others. If Brandon cannot enjoy it, because Brandon cannot mind his own business, Brandon doesn't want anyone else to enjoy it, either. Note that Brandon uses the Royal We... assuming, like a dictator, that Brandon is in power and can defined who and what "we" represent.

28 posted on 07/19/2025 5:19:49 AM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustmilents offered here free of charge)
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To: real saxophonist

Jeez these idiots don’t realize that the party of AOC,Mandami, Newsxum, Biden, Harris, et al ARE the establishment and PDJT is as ant-establishment as you can get.


29 posted on 07/19/2025 5:19:54 AM PDT by capydick (“the Bible are the answers Withinfor all the problems men face.the covers of )
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To: piasa

Man, I’m getting some really great posts here - Thanks!


30 posted on 07/19/2025 5:22:31 AM PDT by real saxophonist (Michael Bennet claps on 1 and 3.)
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To: capydick

Another good post. Thanks


31 posted on 07/19/2025 5:23:16 AM PDT by real saxophonist (Michael Bennet claps on 1 and 3.)
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To: real saxophonist

32 posted on 07/19/2025 5:50:20 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (When the night falls, it falls on me. And when the day breaks, I'm in pieces.)
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To: 55Ford

I guess there’s no room for diversity.


33 posted on 07/19/2025 6:10:14 AM PDT by TiGuy22
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To: real saxophonist
“I felt like people at least had the right to know,” said Lewis, explaining how this revelation conflicts with punk’s fundamental ideals. "I just felt like it was the antithesis of what we represent in punk rock."

Hahahaha. They are the Establishment. They want the people who give them no choices in anything but sex and abortion to be in charge. That isn't freedom.

34 posted on 07/19/2025 6:14:44 AM PDT by IYAS9YAS (There are two kinds of people: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.)
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To: real saxophonist

“I’m a rebel. Rage against the machine. Get your Civic booster!”
—bunch of losers


35 posted on 07/19/2025 6:15:46 AM PDT by Shqipo (Make America America Again.)
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To: real saxophonist

…how this revelation conflicts with punk’s fundamental ideals.…

Censoring free speech.


36 posted on 07/19/2025 6:28:15 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money)
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To: 55Ford

Losing two bands out of the forty bands scheduled doesn’t seem like very much...I’m sure the neighbors won’t mind either


37 posted on 07/19/2025 6:29:10 AM PDT by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
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To: tired&retired
This Democrat indoctrination resembles the way the Palestinians indoctrinate their children against the Jews. Pure hatred,

Good analogy.

38 posted on 07/19/2025 6:43:02 AM PDT by libertylover (The HBM (Has Been Media) is almost all AGENDA-DRIVEN, not-truth driven.)
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To: piasa

TDS is real


39 posted on 07/19/2025 7:10:04 AM PDT by MrRelevant
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To: real saxophonist

Me Too.


40 posted on 07/19/2025 7:24:01 AM PDT by left that other site (You Shall Know The Truth, and The Truth Shall Make You Free.)
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