Band line up Jim Connelly – band leader and lead vocals Jack Beaven-Duggan – electric guitar and backing vocals John Duggan – electric guitar Luke Steels – bass and backing vocals Michael Zur-Szpiro – harmonica Saul Zur-Szpiro – drum kit and backing vocals
The AutistiX - bio 'The AutistiX’ are a unique rock band that creates our own songs and performs covers. The band’s sound sets us apart, but our 3 youngest members do too: Jack Beaven Duggan, Luke Steels and Saul Zur-Szpiro, all have autism. We 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. Coming together as a band called ‘The AutistiX’ we were keen to be recognised for our 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. The band’s 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’, and ‘Get On The Plane’. The AutistiX launched our first EP ‘Butterflies and Demons’, in January 2014, the title being a line from ‘I Can’t Take It Anymore’. The band’s latest songs, recorded in July/August 2014 are ‘Something Better’ and Just The Same which we launched in November 2014!
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. 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 last year, we played for over 1100 people who gave us a standing ovation, especially following our impromptu performance of the Beatles’ Help! together with Sir Tom Jones!!! This summer, 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 at the Oxjam Islington at the Hope and Anchor, Islington, playing at Surya in Islington, supporting Menswe@r at the Buffalo Bar, Highbury, launching our two EPs at the Monarch Bar, Chalk Farm and playing the Jubilee Night at The Barfly, also in Chalk Farm.
For more information, contact Susan Zur-Szpiro, Band Manager on 07973835102 or on the band’s website, facebook or twitter ‘theautistix’. Check us out on itunes, soundcloud, spotify, youtube.