‘What happened on Saturday sent me over the edge … I knew something had to be said’
Sprints singer Karla Chubb speaks out following alleged assault at gig
Karla Chubb and the band Sprints. Pic: Niamh Barry
The female lead singer of Dublin-based grunge band Sprints has said male members of the group don’t get the same scrutiny about their appearance or behaviour.
Karla Chubb was allegedly groped and harassed while performing at the Ulster Sports Club in Belfast on Saturday, April 20. The band said this was the second time Ms Chubb was sexually assaulted during their Letter to Self tour.
“I’m very lucky that I’m in a band with three men who are very understanding, open and supportive,” Karla told the Irish Independent.
“But you definitely notice the difference in behaviour in how I’m spoken to and treated.
“Press or reviews, they may focus on my appearance, how I dress, what I say. I might be criticised for drinking or cursing on stage whereas it wouldn’t be mentioned if it was the guys.
“Every woman in this industry is aware of this and faces this, it’s part of the job where you have to suck up and shut up. I guess what happened on Saturday sent me over the edge. I knew something had to be said.
“We worked very hard to make this band happen, we have this platform now and if I don’t use my voice for some kind of good, I feel as if I’d be doing a disservice to women.”
Karla is happy she spoke up because she believes that a lot more needs to be done for women and their safety.
“At the time, I was incredibly angry and in shock. It didn’t hit me until I saw the outpour, especially from women in the industry who face the same thing. It really raised some flags,” she said.
“It’s been tough, it’s been a lot to process. I didn’t think it’d affect me like this, normally I’m able to brush these things off. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous getting on stage for the first time since it happened yesterday.
“I’ve been worried about what I do and how I protect myself, that’s not something women should go through, but we do every day. Our walks home or performing on stage, it doesn’t seem that there’s anywhere to be safe.
“The guys have let me know if I don’t want to do something, I don’t have to. They’re supportive and check in all the time.
“We’re like a little family, we love each other. The minute I told them it happened they wanted to get security, asked where he was, who did it, like overprotective brother mode. I’m very lucky to have them,” she added.
Ms Chubb was a contestant in RTÉ’s Voice of Ireland in 2014, and formed Sprints in 2019 along with bassist and vocalist Sam McCann, guitarist Colm O’Reilly and drummer Jack Callan.
The band is now touring Ireland and Europe following the release of their debut album Letter to Self on January 5. The album includes songs such as Up and Comer, Adore Adore, and Heavy.
“We’ve been on tour since February, our last show is in Dublin in May,” Ms Chubb said. “In the past three months we’ve gone across the UK, Europe, and America. We’re finishing off in Ireland.
“America was amazing, we got to go to places for the first time. It’s a massive and stunning country and they really embraced us over there.
“90pc of the time it has been positive, we’ve had really good shows, most of them sold out. It’s really nice to explore, travel and do this professionally.”
