CHRISTMAS SINGLE FROM AUTISM TOGETHER’S BAND THE BEATHOVENS

 

Beathovens 3 (002)

 

The Beathovens is the only band in the UK whose members are all on the

autism spectrum and are living in full time care.

 

Now, nearly twenty years after its formation, the band is releasing its

first ever single, a Christmas song called Warm Hearts and Wine which

is available on iTunes from 12 December. Also available will be two

further singles from the band, Growing Up in the Seventies and My Life.

 

The Beathovens have a long history of smashing expectations and breaking

stereotypes, writing their own songs and performing live with panache.

They’ve perfected their own style – an individual twist of rap- rock –

and have played with Jools Holland twice – at Cambridge University in

2006 and the Savoy Theatre in 2008 – and appeared at a Welsh music

festival with Bob Geldof in 2003. In 2007 they won a regional battle of

the bands contest. They’ve even played at Glastonbury.

 

The seven-strong band meets weekly to practice at a church in

Bromborough, Wirral, under the guidance of performing arts specialists

from charity Autism Together, which supports around 500 people on the

autism spectrum across the North West.  In 2015 Autism Together won a

national award for outstanding adult services.

 

The track Warm Hearts and Wine was written by the band following a

conversation about Christmas and the winter months. Once the lyrics were

on paper, band member Paul Earl wrote the melody very quickly.

 

Growing Up in the Seventies was originally penned as a poem by band

member Amanda Jenkins and recalls with humour and clarity the era of

glam rock, strikes and chopper bikes. Amanda also recalls writing a poem

in school called Too Cold to Go about visiting the toilets – it was

read on Radio Merseyside in 1972.

 

The band was originally formed as the Rolling Beathovens with the aim of

allowing anyone with an autistic spectrum condition to communicate and

interact through the shared experience of music. As bass player and

founding member Paul Earl said, “The thing about playing songs is

expressing our feelings.”

 

Lead singer AJ (Alan Jolliffe) said, “Having autism means I find it

difficult to communicate with anyone. When we are on stage we

communicate with everyone. Music lets me be who I want to be. Having

autism makes you not be able to do some things, but in The Beathovens we

are saying we are here, this is who we are.”

 

Autism Together Activity Manager Dean Ravera, who manages the band,

said, “Getting iTunes distribution is a huge step forward for us. This

is a group of people who’ve come together through a love of music and

created their own, unique, art form – and it’s genuinely carrying a

message about what’s achievable by people with autism.”

 

The singles can be purchased on iTunes for 99p each or £2.97 for all

three tracks from 12 December. A limited edition CD can be purchased for

£7 from Bromborough Pool garden centre (3 & 4 _The Green, Bromborough

Pool_ Village, Wirral).

 

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