Updated Bio The AutistiX

Updated bio about The AutistiX

November  2014 'The AutistiX’ are a unique rock band that creates their own songs and performs covers. The band’s sound sets them apart, but our 3 youngest members do too: Jack Beaven Duggan, Luke Steels and Saul Zur-Szpiro, all have autism. They are led by a talented singer and mentor, Jim Connelly, and joined by Jack's father, John and Saul's father, Michael.  The band was formed in April 2010. They were talented musically but had had difficulties developing their social skills, making friends or finding the opportunity to be part of a band. Coming together as a band called ‘The AutistiX’ they were keen to be recognised for their musical talent and are proud to be musicians with autism. The band, as well as being creative, provides the chance to develop musically, personally and socially. It is also a bonus for father and son to bond through playing music in the band. People find our songs original and catchy, and are all the more impressed when they realise that the band includes musicians with autism! The band members are keen to be successful as musicians first, disabilities second, by showcasing the musical talent and potential of musicians with disabilities and the valuable contribution they have to make to society. The band original songs include ‘I can’t take it anymore’, ‘I guess I’ll see you’, ‘Darkness World’, ‘The Good and Bad in All of Us’, ‘Hard to Reach’, ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Massive Star’. The AutistiX launched our first EP ‘Butterflies and Demons’, in January 2014, the title being a line from ‘I Can’t Take It Anymore’. We played to a packed out gig at the Monarch Pub in nearby Chalk Farm. More recently, the band has created three new songs called ‘Get On The Plane’, ‘Something Better’ and the newest one, Just The Same! The band recorded ‘Something Better’ and ‘Just the Same’ this summer at the Mowlem Street Studios and they are now available as a digital download ‘Double ‘A’ Side' to be launched on the13th November, again at the Monarch Pub. As well as our own material, The AutistiX performs some popular cover songs, adding their own original twist, by The Beatles, Oasis, The Clash, Coldplay, the Rolling Stones, and Nirvana, to name a few. Last year, the band hooked up together with another band of musicians from Pamplona called Motxila 21, which includes musicians with Down’s Syndrome first going on a multi city tour in Northern Spain, followed by The AutistiX inviting Motxila 21 back to perform a week long tour in London.   This young band performs at music venues, local festivals, and charity gigs eg for the National Autistic Society and Norwood, leading charities for people with disabilities. At the Norwood fundraiser, we played for over 1100 people who gave us a standing ovation, especially following our impromptu performance of the Beatles’ Help! together with a dinner guest, Sir Tom Jones!!! More recently, The AutistiX went to Guernsey, to perform to promote Autism Awareness and to spearhead implementing legislation for people with disabilities! Recent gigs include: the Bubble Club in Bethnal Green, A Perfect Day Festival in Swiss Cottage, Kabaret at Karamel in Wood Green, the Tottenham Summer Festival at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre and, most recently, the Oxjam Islington at the Hope and Anchor. For more information, contact Susan Zur-Szpiro, Band Manager on 07973835102 or via the band’s website, facebook or twitter ‘theautistix’ and check us out on itunes, soundcloud, spotify, youtube.