Chastity @ Shakers Pub
Photos by Mia Baric
Your first concert is one of the best experiences you can have in life. No one concert is really alike. But your first time at a show that takes you out of your comfort zone, one where you might have never been a fan of that genre, is more unlike the rest. A show that leaves you both impressed and maybe even a new fan of the genre, or if anything now be able to tolerate it more when you get in your friend’s car or defend it when someone makes one of those “who even listens to this” comments. This is what I was lucky enough to take part in when I went to see the Nu Metal band, CHASTITY on January 13th, at Shaker’s Pub in Oakdale, New York.
Even before I got in my car I wondered how this experience would go. Did I know what Nu Metal was, sure. But did I ever listen to anything more than people around my age who saw the Psychosocial music video by Slipknot? Or the occasional fanmade youtube videos of anime fights with the most aggressive Nu Metal music when I was 11? Honestly, no. But I didn't allow that to form some kind of bias into taking in the music and being able to enjoy this concert I never thought I would see myself at, even a year ago to the day of me writing this. I can say with all the assurance in the world, all the thoughts and even expectations I had, were exceeded more than I was prepared for.
First I just want to say every band, not just CHASTITY left it all out on the stage: COMEUPPANCE, MALEBOLGIA, RAID, DOOMSAYER, and ERIDIAN each had something you could take away from. No one band was similar to the other. Each had their type of energy, talent, and spin on this musical genre that in today's age could be considered overlooked. There wasn’t one song where not a single person enjoyed any part of it. Every band, by the time they walked off stage, left me nodding my head to myself with enjoyment. Not like some cliche stuck-up music executive in a movie about an underground band trying to get a record deal. But as someone who was becoming more impressed as the setlists went on and dare I say making me into more of a fan than I was prepared for. Hearing the music on your own, whether it be by streaming it yourself or remembering a song you heard in Hot Topic, back when it was actually Hot Topic is one thing. But seeing all the sounds come through people putting in all the blood, sweat and tears brings another level of understanding and appreciation.
But finally, when CHASTITY took the stage, there was a shift that could be felt in this venue that, before you knew it, was more packed than it was just minutes before. A propane tank, a jug of water, and a metal baseball bat, with the backdrop of the Sachem North flag literally set the stage. Band members adorned with clown masks, looking like the last thing you see before a wrong turn during the purge. When the lights went out and frontman, Logan Flynn, grabbed the mic and started the Intro, there was a feeling of restraint that comes from an angry animal before being let out of the cage for the first time in days, just waiting for the opportunity to let all of it out.
Photos by Casma
Every song on their setlist from the released “Thunder Road" to even their cover of “Attitude” by Sepultura brought some of the craziest energy I have ever experienced. As a hip-hop fan, the energy could only be compared to seeing Playboi Carti performing Die Lit at a venue like Terminal 5. Sam Shereck and Joe Velocci on drums and electric drums respectively were incredible and thunderous, which left the beat echoing off the walls, making you feel as though they’re changing the rhythm of your heartbeat. Lorcan Phelan and Patricio Noles on guitar, accompanied by Chris Martin on bass added to keeping the rhythm and electricity in the fierce performance we were all witnessing. Logan Flynn on the mic showcased both striking and commanding, gutturals that seemed as if they were coming from the darkest pits of Hades.
Every song did what it was intended to do, at least by my untrained eyes and ears. They all grab your attention off of pure quality and passion. Songs like “Diguardia” and “Nimbus” make you at least think about jumping into the pit and throwing your arms like a pitcher, without worrying about who or what it could be coming into contact with. Even with the backdoor open, letting in the 30-degree cold, it was no match in the contest with the air inside the venue. With the energy coming off of not just the band, but the crowd as well, the heat was as if someone had 5 space heaters on max in a small bedroom. I didn't see one person standing that wasn't moving some part of their body. Hell, even the few people sitting at the bar couldn’t help themselves. All I could think of was how much this band will benefit when they have an even bigger stage. Moments during the show you could see Flynn trying to contain himself from going into the crowd.
They closed out the set with the aforementioned cover of the Sepultura song, “Attitude.” By this time shirts and clown masks were off the band members as they wound down their performance. Greeted with applause from those in attendance, they announced their next show at this very venue in October, another Friday the 13th (fittingly) but this time all the unreleased songs they previewed will finally be available for all to hear; as the show will be an album release show, the first LP for the band.
I still can’t fully express the way my expectations were exceeded. Not that I thought I was going to be walking into something equivalent to a 4th-grade musical performance. But from the outside, you never really know quite what you’re in for. Also, I just want to give praise to every band that performed: COMEUPPANCE, MALEBOLGIA, RAID, DOOMSAYER, CHASTITY, and ERIDIAN gave everything they had with no half measures. I stepped into Shaker’s Pub as one type of music fan and walked out as another.