Punk rock veterans Dead Kennedys have confirmed they will go ahead with their scheduled performances at the 2026 Punk in the Park festivals in Pittsburgh and Vallejo. The decision arrives amidst heavy controversy surrounding the event’s promoter, Cameron Collins of Brew Ha Ha Productions, following the revelation that he made financial contributions to Donald Trump‘s 2024 presidential campaign.
While other acts like Destiny Bond have pulled out of the festival entirely and Dropkick Murphys have publicly severed all ties with the promoter, Dead Kennedys have opted to honor their current contracts before stepping away. Collins, for his part, has defended his political donations, stating that his views “don’t neatly fit into a single box or party affiliation.”
The 2026 Punk in the Park festival series is currently scheduled to hit Pittsburgh on April 18, Orlando on May 2, and Vallejo on May 23.
Led by original members East Bay Ray and Klaus Flouride, the current lineup of the legendary punk group issued a formal statement explaining why they chose not to cancel their upcoming appearances, despite their ideological opposition:
“We’ve become aware that the owner of Brew Ha Ha Productions, the company behind Punk In The Park, made financial contributions in support of the Trump administration. Our first reaction was to cancel our upcoming appearances.”
“However, we do not feel it would be fair to our supporters who have already purchased tickets & made plans to attend these shows. Dead Kennedys have always stood firmly against authoritarianism, ra*ism, and fas*ism. That has not changed. After these scheduled appearances, we will not be participating in future Punk In The Park events.”
The band’s justification did not sit well with original frontman and primary lyricist Jello Biafra, who famously parted ways with the group in 1986. In a fiery statement provided to Stereogum, the outspoken vocalist heavily criticized his former bandmates for fulfilling the dates instead of immediately pulling out.
“They’re taking the money $$$, and THEN pulling out? The real Dead Kennedys would never have let this happen in the first place. One more sordid reason I don’t ever want to play with them again.”
