Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
OK, so what do you propose? OSHA should patrol concerts and tell them to turn down? Or, maybe a special "concert police force" that regulates volume levels at concerts. That would be fun.
OP brought earplugs and didn't use them. now he's crying about it. wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't live in one of those developments around here that were built in the airports flightpath... and then they complained about all the air traffic. total bs.
1989, Toronto - Blue Oyster Cult in a basement rock club called Rock n' Roll Heaven. I was actually driven out of the club, by the volume. It was so loud that I couldn't tell what songs they were playing. It was awful - disorienting and painful. They had enough PA to do a stadium show!
Well, in their defense, they had to play loud enough for Gawd to hear them.
I think they were trying to be the very Voice of God itself. It was balanced and mixed great, but it was like something you'd do to disorient the enemy if you were at war. And the musicianship was spot-on flawless. They were a legitimate metal outfit in many respects.
Y'all need to type in all caps for me 'cause I ain't hearing ya.
if they'd played down the road in cary there's a 95 db limit that's strictly enforced. maybe op should only go to those shows.OK, so what do you propose? OSHA should patrol concerts and tell them to turn down? Or, maybe a special "concert police force" that regulates volume levels at concerts. That would be fun.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
OK, so what do you propose? OSHA should patrol concerts and tell them to turn down? Or, maybe a special "concert police force" that regulates volume levels at concerts. That would be fun.
Like anything else. You set standards, and if they are violated, the band and venue are liable for damages.
If you work in a factory, airport, whatever, and OSHA standards are violated, the facility is liable. They also get fined. Simple.
Keeping concert volumes at a reasonable and safe level would not make the concerts any less "fun" - if anything, they would be more enjoyable. Someone should not have to choose between risking hearing damage and enjoying a concert. There have also been plenty of shows where even with hearing protection, people are risking permanent damage.
I did once see the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall in London. It was bones-shaking loud. I think it may have been Gayneh/Spartacus (it was a long time ago..).
It's probably the acoustics of the hall, plus the 'wall of sound' orchestra, but who would have imagined acoustic instruments could get to that kind of volume.
It's probably the acoustics of the hall, plus the 'wall of sound' orchestra, but who would have imagined acoustic instruments could get to that kind of volume.
Once saw Candlebox blast away as the opening act for Rush at UNO Lakefront Arena during the "Roll The Bones" tour. I was in the Bob Uecker seats and still don't think my hearing has recovered.
If you get a chance to catch Mark Knopfler live, his live sound is about as good as it gets these days. I could use it a bit louder, but you'll probably find it just right. He also seems to play higher quality venues, not cattle barns. Also (prog guy) Steven Wilson's live sound is stellar, but a tad on the loud side. Everyone else is pretty much doodoo and no one seems to care. I guess a lot of folks don't know how good live music can sound.
One other thing that has changed is that back in the 60's, people didn't seem to chatter as much. They were there for the music and knew how to shut up for the most part. I'm sure cannabis had a lot to do with that. Now concerts are alcohol fueled singalong parties.
I walked out on Jeff Healey. We were in the second row, I had earplugs in, and the volume coming off the stage was incredible, he was completely overpowering the PA. Eventually, it was just too much... so out the door I went.
Iron Maiden frontman could hit notes that pierced my brain, penetrated the plugs and my hands covering my ears. I was ready to confess to pretty much anything when he belted 'em out... JUST STOP, PLEASE!!!
Ear plugs are a must. My audiologist told me that even in movie theaters the volume gets up around 125db, so between iPods, movies and concerts, we're looking at a deaf generation.
Iron Maiden frontman could hit notes that pierced my brain, penetrated the plugs and my hands covering my ears. I was ready to confess to pretty much anything when he belted 'em out... JUST STOP, PLEASE!!!
Ear plugs are a must. My audiologist told me that even in movie theaters the volume gets up around 125db, so between iPods, movies and concerts, we're looking at a deaf generation.
Unnecessary. OSHA measures sound levels in manufacturing areas, and if they exceed a certain level, the company is required to post warnings, and provide (and enforce the use of) hearing protection. They don't mandate the company "turn the equipment down".
Likewise, I'm all for all concert facilities posting warnings about sound levels, and suggesting the use of hearing protection. If they desire, they can go so far as to sell earplugs to those who want (or forgot) them.
I DO NOT agree that we need to "idiot-proof" the world. The next thing we'll hear is that we need to wrap everything on Earth in Nerf material so that no one gets hurt by touching anything.
Amen.
I have Red Rocks in my back yard, one of the most iconic concert venues in the world, and the party people walking around with a beer sloshing around in one hand and talking on their cell with the other has ruined it for me. What in the hell are these people even doing there? It's not for the music. I won't go see even my favorite artists if they play there.
Last edited:
This is so true! My dad was a lover of all genres of music and took me to many symphonies (we also saw Sinatra, Zappa, the Stones and the Dead). I recall being blown away by the in-your-face volume of some works. Wagner in particular.
The opposite side of that is that I saw them at the Wolf's Den at the Mohegan Sun casino in Ct maybe 3 years ago, and they were so quiet that I had to strain to hear them.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
If OSHA regs are violated, the company can be fined. There is also worker's compensation available. If your kid comes back from a concert, and his hearing is damaged, he/she is SOL.
It's not a matter of "idiot-proofing". Read the posts about people who have walked out of concerts because of the volume, or whose hearing was damaged.
Mentioned a couple of times, Blue Oyster Cult, in 1974 at Kent State Stark Campus with Manfred Mann. GREAT show but woke up the next day with dried blood in my right ear and on the pillow. Was up front close to the PA.
Best sound I ever heard was Supertramp. Twice. Anyone ever see them? Crystal clear sound.
Best sound I ever heard was Supertramp. Twice. Anyone ever see them? Crystal clear sound.
