Schoolz Out

When Abe Brennan, singer/guitarist for Denver punk band Joy Subtraction, saw the opportunity to play this year's Tellerpalooza — the annual fundraiser that enlists local music talent to benefit Congress Park's Teller Elementary School — he jumped at the chance. And he's not shy about voicing his reasons why. "I...

By Jason Heller

May 13, 2010

Audio By Carbonatix

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When Abe Brennan, singer/guitarist for Denver punk band Joy Subtraction, saw the opportunity to play this year's Tellerpalooza — the annual fundraiser that enlists local music talent to benefit Congress Park's Teller Elementary School — he jumped at the chance. And he's not shy about voicing his reasons why.

"I wanted to do something tangible to help my daughter's public school, which is facing a $120,000 budget shortfall next year," Brennan says. "I came up in the U.S. public-school system, and I'm still a believer in it. Is it frustrating to have to privately fund a public school? Of course. But I blame it on the anti-union, anti-government, deregulation-at-all-costs ethos that started with a vengeance under Reagan. Yeah, I blame Reagan — and anyone who thought he was a good president."

Spoken like a true punk-rock dad.

Tellerpalooza VII kicks off today at 4 p.m. at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street. In addition to Joy Subtraction, a variety of Denver bands and acoustic performers including the Swayback, the New Distractions, What Happened Saturday, Mono Verde, Rob Drabkin, Olivia Rudeen and Dylan Yawger will perform. Admission to the all-ages event is $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $60 for families of four. For tickets and info, visit www.tellerpalooza.com.
Sat., May 15, 4 p.m., 2010

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