Autism brings musicians together

The Kingsmen rehearse with John Cooper of The Howls. The band is made up of Charlie Poole, 16, Rancho Santa Fe, vocals and keyboards; Reid Moriarty, 15, Solana Beach, vocals and keyboards; Kent Makings, 10, Encinitas, vocals and keyboards; and Conor Dawson, 15, Point Loma, drums. The band members, who are autistic, have been together for about a year. But in that year, they’ve performed around the county, recorded a CD and will be one of three bands featured in a documentary about autistic musicians. The Kingsmen will be performing at Walk Now for Autism Speaks on Sept. 26 at DeAnza Cove in Mission Bay Park. The band also will perform at a benefit concert with San Diego musicians Molly Jenson and Trevor Davis on Oct. 23 at Lestat’s Coffeehouse, 3343 Adams Ave., San Diego. Visit the band’s MySpace page at