Face melting - Lazarus/Action Strasse/Virgil 10-19-07
On my way over to Radio Radio for the show Friday night, I ran into the show’s promoter heading back to his car - people at the show were demanding the earplugs he kept there. It wasn’t a matter of blocking out the sound totally as much as trying to enjoy the show without permanent hearing damage. Virgil was just that loud, driving, and pounding. It also made me want to try out one of the Music Man Sterling fretless basses; I don’t think I’ve gotten my hands on one of those yet. Action Strasse brought the volume down a little bit, but there wasn’t a dip in intensity. I’m convinced that the band is just playing nice with its pop songs, and that it’s ready to explode at any minute into a frenzy. Lazarus rounded out the bill - it shared stylistic similarities with Birdmen of Alcatraz (since it shares both an extremely talented guitarist and a tremendously charismatic frontman), but it wasn’t as riff-based as the previous configuration. A great night of music all around, especially considering I had my new ‘plugs with me.
October 21st, 2007 at 3:40 am
Maybe it’s my early classical training–or maybe I’m just old–but I just don’t get the whole “live music has to be LOUD to be enjoyable” thing. I mean, okay, a drummer in a tiny bar doesn’t really have much space to hide, sonically, so why then insist on playing at the same volume you’d go to for an outdoor arena? Same with guitar players. Sure, a big ol’ half-stack LOOKS cool (and granted, tube amps *do* have nicer tones at higher gain), but who’s gonna care if it’s so loud the patrons are screaming for ear plugs from the promoter (or just running for the door)? It’s not just musicians who are to blame, either. I’ve known local venue-hired sound men who mix so loudly that they can clear a whole bar in seconds flat. Then the owners end up dumping live music because it “doesn’t draw a crowd.” Gee, I wonder why…
Honestly, I think live music (especially in Indy) would benefit greatly if it didn’t insist on being a physically painful experience for most listeners. Turn down. Scale your sound to the venue and the crowd. Maybe even play with some *gasp* dynamics. Are these really such foreign concepts?
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:12 am
I haven’t run into too many extreme cases recently (or maybe it’s just the ear plugs), but I agree that there needs to be a group effort between the bands, the sound guy and the audience to keep it down a bit.