Dan Spitz and RED LAMB tackle Autism with the Anarchy for Autism project

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The name Dan Spitz has always been synonymous with the words “guitar hero” or “shredder”. As a founding member of ANTHRAX, Spitz has enjoyed world tours, Grammy nominations, and all that the world of metal has had to offer over the years.

Now, in 2013, Spitz has taken on a new role; one that is dear to his heart and close to his music. His new band RED LAMB is touring to support Autism Awareness worldwide. While the band has been doing domestic dates this winter and spring, the message Spitz is sending is international. His 5-year-old, mirror-image twins, Brendan and Jaden, were stricken with autism before the age of two and he and his wife, Candi, have worked since that moment to share information about this serious issue.

“RED LAMB started as a cause. We are doing this for the boys,” Spitz said. “The boys were not born autistic. Both kids were in movies and commercials and had become very socialized and were ahead of many of the milestones that one would expect for their age. Right after their 12-month shots Jaden suddenly became immobile for five days and Brenden didn’t have the same reactions to stimuli that he’d had before and we believed it was a reaction to the shots.”

Spitz goes on the explain that as time went by, the boys started to experience a halt in speech, eye contact and began rocking back and forth systematically. The family consulted numerous doctors to no avail until they became aware of the national group, Autism Speaks.

“Autism Speaks was able to help us when no one else could. They weren’t trying to sell us anything or get us to buy into something that didn’t have proven results. Right now they are the largest global organization for Autism and they just want to help give families the information they need to help their children.”

One issue that the family faces is that the boys must have constant repetition and they do not react well to change. This is a factor that many dealing with Autism face and the children must stay in stable surroundings. Disturbing their environment causes extreme upset with the boys and Spitz says that it has been a learning process for he and his wife. At one point, the couple noticed that the boys responded very well to electronic devices, like iPods and they have now graduated to iPads for learning.

“The iPads have helped them communicate, learn the alphabet, and we started added other learning applications and they have responded positively,” he said. “This is something I have to do. Everyone knows someone who is affected by Autism. I think our outreach is starting to touch so many lives. At every show someone comes up to me and tells me their story. There is no test for telling you that your child is Autistic and no one really knows how it can happen. There is the belief that there are environmental factors, chemicals in foods, you just have to keep working for the answers.”

Currently, RED LAMB is working without backing from a record label but does receive donations. The band’s song “Puzzle Box” is played at each show and the video is tied in with scenes from researchers, rallies, and other activities related to Autism Awareness. The video also features Bob and Suzanne Wright, founders of Autism Speaks.

Candi Spitz is also doing her part. She is now a national spokesperson for Autism Speaks and has her own television broadcast to help promote awareness. She also sponsors Cuddles to Chaos and has a line of shirts. Her puzzle piece tattoo is also becoming a national symbol of awareness.

“One in every fifty-four people is born with Autism,” Dan said. “Candi and I are doing our best and for me, I see our music, metal, as a global force. Our motto and the mural on the side of the bus will not change. It’s our mission. I did this project with Dave Mustaine (MEGADETH) and I wrote all the music and created the songs. He stopped his work with MEGADETH to do this with me. It’s my plan to take it global and hopefully we will be able to tour with larger acts in the months to come to get the word out.”

The rest of RED LAMB’s members are also fully on board with the project. The band also consists of vocalist Don Chaffin, drummer Kevan Roy, and bassist Alan G.

More information about the project can be found at www.redlambofficial.com and www.facebook.com/redlamb.

Puzzle Box video: