LANCASTER – Though the raucous foursome gravitate toward a “poppy ska sound,” the edgy and explosive members of Autistic Chainsaw simply think of themselves as marching to a different beat.
“We’re like the weird kids at school because you don’t know what they’re going to do next,” Jesse Seibel, lead singer of Autistic Chainsaw, told The AV Times. “We take pride in that.”
Together for little more than two years, Seibel and his fellow musicians grew the band out of the Antelope Valley after meeting at a 2013 “skapunk” performance by Leftover Crack in Lancaster.
“It was almost like it was destiny,” said Seibel, who is originally from Burbank. “The other three band members live in Lancaster and Palmdale, and I temporarily lived in Lancaster for a couple of months because I was homeless and needed a place to stay.”
According to Seibel, who said he was diagnosed with autism when he was 3-years-old, his music reflects his beginnings – a harsh childhood and a dysfunctional school environment.
“It had nothing to do with how my parents raised me because they gave it more than their all, but because the education system I was placed in had no idea on how to teach someone with autism,” he said. “There were times where the teacher would condescend me for not understanding the material and would even reward bullies for attacking me.”
It was this negligence, rejection and a “feeling of worthlessness” that eventually brought him to the crossroads of “learning to play the guitar and … writing songs about what I felt like,” he said.
And though he claims the songs were “garbage,” the intense creative outlet gave birth to an equally intense political awareness. As an example, one of the band’s songs, “Stay In School,” comments on Seibel’s experience that schools focus more on social fanfare, such as “football, fashion and rallies,” than on actual learning and critical thinking.
In similar fashion, Seibel said he wants the community to know that autism is just a different way of understanding the world.
“It’s definitely a rockier process growing up, but prescribed drugs are not going to change that,” he said. “Yelling at them isn’t going to help them either. People with autism need to grow up learning how to communicate their feelings, so that when they grow older they’ll have a much easier time getting a job and function in a world that is not adapted to them.”
Noting there are different types of autism on the spectrum – and that more severely autistic individuals simply deserve as much care and understanding as you would give anyone else – he said it is necessary to “give them the tools they need to grow up and become strong.”
Members of Autistic Chainsaw plan to demonstrate this show of strength for autism awareness during Friday’s performance at the Lancaster Moose Lodge. Aside from their music, the band will reach out to the public with their colorful use of patches and artwork to get their message across.
“We like to hold a satirical value to our image, but we understand how serious these issues are, so we address those in our songs,” Seibel said.
Autistic Chainsaw features drummer Tony Schnitzel, bassist Kenneth F. Catando III, lead guitarist Kameron Chance, and lead singer Jesse Seibel.
Autistic Chainsaw is set to perform at the Lancaster Moose Lodge, 44545 Division St., at 8 p.m. Friday, May 8. Admission is $5, and doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Other bands performing include Underground Alliance (E.L.A.), Social Conflict, Devil Mccoy, and Dogs Of War.
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Alltogethernow says
What a wonderful and worth while thing your band is doing. I wish you much success in getting the word out. Hope it’s SRO:) Best of luck!!!
Amazed says
I just wanted to tell the band, that they are wished much success!I wish that their school experiences could have been better,just speaking out as they have has helped those who suffer similarly, I am sure. There are many people in world history that were thought of as difficult or odd and they happened to have served the world with their creative minds that are just wired differently. The first to come to mind in history is Albert Einstein, The second one that comes to mind is Bill Gates. There are many many more, stay cool and Rock On!
KameronxChance says
I’m really going to stand by bracewell with this one, he’s 100 percent correct, but yes way to discourage people not to come to our event, so please listen to what Jeremy has to say, he deserves his own opinions and views just like you do! -Kam from autistic chainsaw
saraijane says
This is great! Haven’t heard the music yet but I absolutely love the idea and awareness! Rock on!
(Robert it does look like penises…lol I don’t get that, but I’m sure it’s something else..I hope)
kiki says
that place is so small how many people can actually fit in that place? I think even 50 people would be to many not a good place to do this event
JeremyBracewell says
Kiki, the place safely holds 250+ people. But way to try to discourage people from attending an event designed to raise autism awareness. You must be real proud of yourself.
Hmmkay says
While that moose does have a fairly large dance hall and bar area, and a pool room, 250+ in that bar is pushing it for safety standards. I would high suggest ear plugs for this bar as the sound guy pushes it beyond safe hearing limits for the size room almost into un-tolerable levels, but I guess if you are listening to a punk band thats how they like it. To each their own.
I do wish this band the best for this evening for what they are doing. I have visited this lodge several times and from what I have seen they do not make much money and have to do cover charges “not what moose international is about” and a lot of the bands play for next to nothing because most people drink water. They also don’t always pack the place.
hometownhero says
The moose capacity is at least 200 people easily. Every show I’ve been to there has been completely safe and has run smoothly. The people running these events know what they’re doing.
Eric says
Not my kind of tunes, but hey, it’s drawing awareness to a serious issue, so I’ll go ahead and pay to listen anyways. Good on you, boys.
A real shame that Rex had the Industry Theater shut, looks like the AV youth will continue being funneled through establishments in the AV that were not built to serve their crowd.
JeremyBracewell says
Rex didn’t “Have Industry shut.” Tully violated 8 out of ten of the provisions of his conditional use permit multiple times. Moose Lodge has a hall that was built specifically for live performances, with a dedicated stage and sound area, separate bar area, security, door staff, and anything else you could think of that make this a great place to have shows. On top of that, it’s been in business for decades without any legal issues regarding it’s licensing, and while I’ve seen some wild stuff at their shows, I’ve NEVER seen anyone get seriously hurt or any real fights.
JeremyBracewell says
Industry was shut down for repeatedly violating no less than 8 out of 10 of it’s conditional use permit conditions. Whereas Moose has been having shows of all kinds for decades, has never had any serious injuries, deaths or shootings, never had any of it’s licenses suspended, doesn’t have real fights at shows, and hasn’t been busted serving booze to minors.
KameronxChance says
Eric Find us at the show, and I’ll give you something for free
ROBERT says
Is it just me or does that flower/face thing on the cover have penises around it or what? I am serious, looks like it to me.
anonymous says
It’s art dude.
A Nanny Mouse says
Penis art
Yup says
Come on its art safe and fun for all ages /S “end sarcasm”