The Dead Kennedys have posted an explanation for dropping off the recently announced Waking the Dead show on October 29th show. The show was originally scheduled to include the band as well as Suicidal Tendencies, Germs, Marky Ramone and Flipper who will share the stage at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Filling in for the Dead Kennedys will be Los Angeles' natives, Fear.

The band objected primarily to the sponsorship by beer giant Coors, with guitarist East Bay Ray saying that:

Dead Kennedys have always been wary of corporate sponsorship and steer clear of lending our name to promote a product. Because we were not alerted to the ultra conservative, right-wing sponsor for this event, we could not see a reason to go ahead and perform at this show in good conscience. Dead Kennedys want nothing to do with this event or Coors and I am disgusted that they are now sponsoring punk shows, something they are politically at odds with.

A Google search of Coors will turn up information on a company that for years has funded right-wing groups such as the Nicaraguan Contras, the anti-gay Moral Majority, and the notoriously anti-punk Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). Coors has also broken numerous unions, is anti-environment, and has funded lawsuits against affirmative action.

Dead Kennedys apologize to their fans, but hope to serve as an example to the punk rock community that certain ideals shouldn't be sacrificed. The band looks forward to playing an L.A. date in the near future to celebrate the 25th anniversary re-release of "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" and encourages you to think before you drink….Coors.

The Dead Kennedys will be re-releasing their debut, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables on October 25th