NWB - Community Blog

Most bands play far too loud,theres no need and it just spoils it for most pubs,may be the shape of things eo come!!!

Ah rubbbish. We have a similar problem with our local. Generally OK until about 11 and then the amps get turned down, and we don't usually play obnoxiously loud!

Quite often, the noise isn't anything horrific from outside, but it's still better to turn down and be on the pub's good side than risk them not being able to put you, or any other bands on again!

bring back the DB meter, better than losing the venue & keeps everyone happy.

You're all talking bollocks,you need to remember why you joined a 'rock' band in the first place, that is to 'rock'.You play at places where the landlord knows what hes getting, otherwise, dont play there.There are more than enough places for us all to play that I know of where the management actually ask us to turn it up, and believe me, we dont play quiet. Can you imagine asking John Bonham not to hit his drums so hard, or asking Geezer Butler to turn his bass down, you'd be first through the window.So to sum it up, anyone asks a rock band to play quieter because they are 'spoiling' it, expect a loud ***k off, then bury your head in your arse for the trip through the window.

from a (now) fan's point of view-most of the venues i know or go to are well established places for rock bands. the people who live in the surrounding area are aware of this and, usually, come to some agreement with management to keep both sides happy. little things like keeping the pub's curtains closed, or closing the windows after a certain time help. however, there should be a certain expectation from the venue that, if it IS a rock night, then the volume goes up to eleven....that's what rock bands do!!! too many times i've encountered instances of people buying houses near said venues, then complaining about the noise!!! unfortunately, because they appear to be an easy target the "suits" in the local authority wield the big stick at the venue, causing grief the owner's don't need!! they're then caught between (sorry!!) a rock and a hard place!!

good comments there Viking,yeah im sure weve all had some strange landlords who want a band but then want you to be quiet...weird :-)
im sure we have plenty of places we like that have a genuine passion for the bands they have on, but they seem to be dwindling in the North West manchester area, thank goodness for the newer places that start having bands on to replace the ones that shut, thats why this site is cool, were all working together pubs/fans/bands to keep this thing alive! long may it continue!!

I think the real culprit is the Licencing hours!!! Back in days of old when I played pub gigs the band was finished and Packing up by 11:10. Only in nightclubs did I play until 12 or 1.
Now bands in pubs are still playing on until 12 or 1 in the morning..
In agreement with whats been said here most bands are NOT THAT LOUD!
I have seen soul bands that have played at enough volume to equal any ROCK/METAL/GRUNGE band.
Music (with exceptions) has to be played with a degree of energy otherwise it does not work and sounds drab, lifeless and feeble. In which case I would switch of not listen to the Band...
If you had seen any of Glastonbury and Caught Buddy Guy on there I reckon on stage there was DB levels equalling that of most Heavy Rock bands, if it wasn't the music would not 'Come Across'.
P.S John Bonham did not play hard he had big f-ing Ludwig drums un-damped!

Don't worry OTE looks like you may have a minor case of BLOGJACK developing here..

Maybe some bands are using volume because they lack STAGECRAFT, and lets remember It's the venue that loses it's licence not the band but some people with their heads up their arse think theres an infinate number of gigs to play at. And John Bonham does'nt play The Pig & Whistle, but hey ho! were all talking BOLLOCKS!!!!!!....A.R.

If I said anything wrong, I apologise, but dont get personal.We come on these blogs to have a rant and to express opinions,chill out man, and keep live music 'alive'. I absolutely adore the blues, but there are different genres out there, lets respect that.I just get frustrated that a venue like the engine has to pull gigs because of people who probably havnt even seen a live band, and that frustration just came across in my comment.
Long may we all continue!!!!

Drum Bloke hits the point there ...where we all used to bounce off home from the pub at 11:30pm at the latest due to the licensing laws......Infact i remember when last orders were 10:30 and you used to have to drink up for 11pm .(crickey the days off 4 pints for last orders) I play with RIFFRAFF and use a Laney 120 head on just above half way + 412 cab + mic'ed up thru PA and its quite loud but it suits the music ,with RUINS i tend to use my Peavey 212 on about 1 or 2 vol and mic that up cos that suits that bands criteria ..so it seems on this blog its the Blues Bands who are saying keep the volume down .....cos theres nothing worse then a LOUD blues band ....:- )

What you mean nothing worse than a loud blues band. Problem is every classic (pub juke box) rock band everythin needs to be so fuckin loud you dont seem to know the difference betwwen light and shade.

Now Now guys let's not fall out. I had a wonder ( wot? ) if there was a THREE TENORS (cheap) tribute band on in these persecuted venues would the locals open their windows and doors to hear this "proper music" or would they still whinge about the volume?

Blues and...

Light and shade or dynamics is something that most musicians fail to use or a skill they don't posses and in honesty is not needed in the pub gig environment. I think diverse musical techniques will go un recognised by your averge punter, yeah the muso in the crowd will doff thier cap to you for having the ability, but the 3 girls who have walked of the street into the pub won't give a 'rats arse' about it. They want to party, and here a song that IS FAMILIAR and yes, is usually played on the JUKE BOX. If these people did not enter the pub and hand over the money that goes in the till...see where I'm going with this ? I do not think the VOLUME a band chooses to plays at is the issue or sole reason why complaints are lodged against venues. Even if you think your playing quieter than most bands the sound will still travel the same distance..

My 'somebody WOKE UP THIS MORNING on the wrong side of the bed i said somebody woke up this morning on the wrong side of the bed.'....
. ;- )

I can't hear anything anymore anyway so if its loud I can't tell lol.

Viking you heard us last night at "t"transport club we're we too loud ?

sorry rod, you'll have to speak up-i've got a strange sort of "buzz" in my ears-perhaps you could shed some - errrrr-light? - on it?? lol!! :-)

it,s your wife complaining about all the bands you go to see and not taking her maybe? lol !

heh heh!! nahhh! she complains when i DO take her to see a band-are you ready for this??????? she says they're TOO LOUD!!!! roflmao!!!