Missed Chastity Belt? The Joke's On You
Playing in the packed out Games Room of Leeds's Brudenell Social Club on Thursday 22nd October, anticipation is rife amongst the crowd for Chastity Belt. The foursome from Seattle have become synonymous for their often humorous, yet always relatable, songs about life - particularly geared towards those standout experiences of being a young adult. For as neat as they sound, and their second album 'Time To Go Home' released earlier this year is of a remarkable standard, there is an overwhelming sense of not really caring at play with Chastity Belt, which only goes to add to their charm. A few months ago, I overheard someone notice a poster advertising Chastity Belt's Leeds show and asking at the bar if this band were the extremely conservative, wholesome band their name suggested; there's little doubt that this is the kind of completely off-mark response that the band would love to hear.
"Drone" is the first song of the night and, whilst it is a wonderful track complete with the most glittering of guitar riffs, the sound itself in the venue isn't particularly great - and the warmth of the room looms over the atmosphere somewhat uncomfortably. Overlooking this, Chastity Belt receive tremendous applause from the crowd and, by "Trapped", the sound issues are all but resolved. The song sounds a lot mellowed than the sense of urgency it displays on Time To Go Home. Though this neither really increases or diminishes appreciation for "Trapped", it does allow for a better opportunity to take in the incredibly catchy surf-twang guitar riff at work.
"Lydia" is performed with the same honeyed glaze as can be found on Time To Go Home. Whilst this can perhaps be attributed to the fact that Julia Shapiro (vocals, guitar), Lydia Lund (guitar), Annie Truscott (bass) and Gretchen Grimm (drums) seem noticeably more at ease than at the start of the set, it is counterproductive to compare and contrast Chastity Belt's live show to their records, as I have found it. By no means does this indicate that their performance is below expectations, rather they play with a heavily engrained DIY aesthetic, which has played a huge role in the band's journey from being a bit of a laugh at a party to playing in the present in Leeds. This translates well into their stage presence, there's a real sense of Chastity Belt putting on a show for the crowd, and that they're enjoying what they do. This is particularly reflected throughout "Lydia"; the energy with which the band perform is rewarding for all.
"The Thing" marks a shift towards a fuzzier grungier feel, with Shapiro unleashing uneasy screams at the appropriate intervals. It's a step away from the sanguine nature of Chastity Belt's earlier work, yet in its chaotic immediacy, remains safely in recognisable territory. "Time To Go Home" plays with the fuzziness of "The Thing", but a greater dosage of the upbeat melodies that are at work in other Chastity Belt songs. Though the band have put on quite the show so far, and have proved themselves not the be the wholesome band that they might be mistaken for poster, it does feel as if they're only just properly getting into their stride, with only "Joke" left to play.
The band use the extended introduction of "Joke" to gear up the volume for an explosive crescendo of song that feels like an anthem for youth and the silly mishaps and encounters it involves. It doesn't feel like time to go home, and the chants for Chazzy Belt, to use a more affectionate name, to return to the stage are answered with one last song. "Black Sail" ends the evening on a calm note, and now it is time to go home after a short and sweet and, at times, sour set.
