Autism no barrier for Penn Hills man, others making music in Spectrum band
A Penn Hills man and two others from the Pittsburgh area make up a band with a name that calls attention to autism, the condition that brought them together.
All three members of Spectrum have disorders on the autism spectrum that affect brain development and are characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication. The group consists of Justin Laus, 22, of Penn Hills; Bobby McGrath, 17, of New Kensington; and Christopher Brozek of North Huntingdon.
The group formed last year and so far, they have opened for the Nied's Hotel Band on multiple occasions.
“The Nied's Hotel Band is fostering our boys. They had them come play in their band and raise money for autism through Band Together Pittsburgh,” said Laus' mother, Sherri.
According to the band's Facebook page, Spectrum helped raise more than $1,000 at a show in early March. John Vento, lead singer of the Nied's Hotel Band and a native of Penn Hills, suggested that the group get together after featuring each of the members individually over the past couple of years.
“We have always made an effort to create a support system for young musicians at performance venues,” Vento said.
He said he considers the band members' parents his close friends and has enjoyed watching the band's progress.
“(Spectrum) is progressing quickly. It's a little overwhelming,” Sherri Laus said. “They're growing so fast it's a bit scary.”
The band recently played at Moondog's in Blawnox and at the Lamp Theater in Irwin, and has been booked for shows in the upcoming months.
“They're talented boys and doing well,” said Brozek's mother, Lisa.
Her son, the drummer, played percussion at Norwin High School and now plays at Westmoreland County Community College, she said. She said Brozek has trouble communicating verbally, but he's able to do so through music.
“This is what I love to see him do because he loves it,” Lisa Brozek said. “He never gets nervous, he just wants to get up there and do his thing.”
Lisa Brozek said that when she asks her son how feels after a performance, he simply replies, “Happy.”
McGrath, a Valley High School student, plays in the school band and doesn't read music. He is vocalist who plays piano with Spectrum and also has Asperger's syndrome.
“He never had singing lessons,” said his father, Mike. “I knew he was special because when I played country music on my guitar he hummed the tunes in perfect pitch.”
Justin Laus plays guitar and also provides vocals for the band.
He works part time at Life's Work, a nonprofit organization that aims to increase the quality of life for people with disabilities through employment opportunities. Laus relishes that his Pittsburgh Emperors hockey teammates come out to support him at concerts.
“They accept me for who I am and what I can do. Not just as a player, but as a person,” he said.
After the band's last performance earned a standing ovation, his teammates wanted him to sign autographs for them, he said.
Sherri Laus said Spectrum has seized upon “integration into the community to show how great and talented (people on the autism spectrum) are despite their diagnosis. They have no limit.”
No one is quite sure what else the future will hold for Spectrum, but it seems bright.
“They've opened for us at a huge venue,” Vento said. “Their performances keep getting better and better. They've had great attitudes and great energy.”
Samson X Horne is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7845 or shorne@tribweb.com.
