Asking Jesus how he stayed so thin, back then, with all that daily bread

Hello everyone, and welcome to another...well, Monday evening. Tonight, we'll be featuring the very talented Christian Hansen & The Autistics. So, without further ado, Christian Hansen & The Autistics.

Christian Hansen & The Autistics are a band out of Edmonton, Alberta, fronted by, you guessed it, Mr.Christian Hansen. They play a very wide variety of music, changing styles and shifting through genres including, but not limited to, Punk, Acoustic, Rock, Electronic and do I hear a bit of Jazz? I think so! They released their debut album, The Super Awkward Album, in 2006. The band has often been questioned, and sometimes criticized, for the use of the word Autistic (a developmental disability) in their band name. Mr. Hansen argues (rightfully so!) (this is quoted from Pop For Thought, an article in the Edmonton Journal)

"I've worked with people with special needs for years, and I ran a music program here in Edmonton at a local non-profit organization," Hansen explains. "I worked with people with autism, among other disabilities, basically doing music -- these free, open jam sessions.

"They were so creative and so passionate and just undervalued. So much of the new stuff I wrote was inspired by those sessions and the kind of abandon with which they would play and approach music, having no real knowledge of it. They're just going on pure instinct, and I find that's what I do (as well)."

If Hansen contends he adopted the name out of the respect he has for people with disabilities and their enthusiasm for all things creative, it often forces him to explain himself to some people who just don't get it.

"I realize that it is a provocative name," Hansen continues. "I had a promoter in Vancouver tell me that he thought it was more offensive than 'Fetal Abortion.' It gets people thinking, and it's similar to what I want to do with my songs -- get the wheels turning, challenge people. To me, that's way more exciting than calling your band a cute, little, safe name."

It's interesting that so many people would get hung up on The Autistics' name alone when the real controversy should be fueled by the potent, sardonic lyrics that can be found in Hansen's songs. From male bulimia to child sexual abuse, Hansen isn't afraid to tackle touchy issues and turn them on their heads, injecting them into an ebullient style of light-hearted pop in the process. "

So, enjoy a bit of Christian Hansen & The Autistics today.

http://www.myspace.com/christianhansen

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Til' Tomorrow