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Not now, but then I was 19. Fully half the stuff we did then was pretty stupid, looking back.
sure, but that's the point. kids of today in 20-50 years: "dude, remember that one time when i forgot to buckle the strap on my bicycle helment? it ALMOST CAMEOFF!!! that was intense, SOOOOO CRAZYYYYYY...."
Do you think it's a wise/good thing for OSHA to enforce the use of hearing protection in loud factories, to protect employees from certain hearing damage? If so, do you think it would be a wise/good thing for OSHA to enforce such measures for employees at concert venues, who will definitely be exposed to damaging sound pressure levels? If so, why do you feel it's perfectly fine for the public to then be exposed to such known, damaging levels without protection?
I don't know that the government needs to get involved. Last show I attended that was (way) too loud, I just walked out and found some paper napkin and stuffed some in my ears, makeshift earplugs. Actually worked pretty well.
Any concert in a basketball arena is going to sound more or less like crap. Earplugs are a must, even setting aside the sound level, to clean up some of the massive amounts of high-end slapback coming at you from every direction.
Ah, now I see: you work for OSHA. As an employee, I'm sure you are aware that the "O" stands for OCCUPATIONAL. This means they protect workers from conditions at their jobs that could be potentially harmful in one way or another.
Last time I checked, concerts were a RECREATIONAL act, and not MANDATORY. They are not an OCCUPATION. OSHA should be protecting event staff, roadies, and similar employees in exactly the way you described. They do NOT protect someone that purchases a ticket to see a live musical (or other type of) performance.
I am of the opinion that I should know enough to bring earplugs to a show, wear them, and be protected. NO ONE is going to force me to wear earplugs at a concert. They shouldn't have to. What you are describing is EXACTLY idiot-proofing society.
If its too loud for you.... leave ...my goodness yall are some grumpy old farts.
And im 51...lol
And im 51...lol
The best concert sound I've ever heard, bar none is Genesis. Everytime I saw them starting in 1982 (3x at the L.A. Forum '82, '84', and '86) the sound was just perfectly stellar. They cranked the right frequencies. To me, the real hearing damage comes when a band's live sound has a good amount of distortion in it.
Anytime I go to a club to see a band and there is a complete guitar stack and an 8x10 bass cab I get the earplugs out immediately. I have tinnitus already and need to preserve the good hearing I still have.
If I went to see, for example, AC/DC, and it was the same lowish volume as the Bowzer concerts I play, I would feel ripped off. People go into these concerts expecting loud volumes. It is not the same as someone in a factory being exposed to undesirable loud banging or loud machinery volumes. If music that loud is undesirable to you, don't go see AC/DC. And if you work at one of those venues with a loud band, same thing...you pretty much have to expect it sometimes. So don't forget your earplugs.
I think people want the super loud experience from a concert. And they want their chests thumping every time the kick drum hits. I would prefer a more reasonable volume, but I think I'm in the minority.
My point isn't about what you might prefer. The point is about what's safe and what isn't. At present, most venues are allowed to damage you and will, if you don't wear plugs. I'm not necessarily saying this should be illegal or regulated. But I'm really not sure why it's perfectly OK either.
Motorhead at a small venue called Sundance, mostly standing room max occupancy about 250.....loudest night of
my life.
my life.
I *do* think that venues should give away foam ear plugs on request.
I have a co-worker who was around in the 60's and asked her what was the loudest concert she ever saw, her reply was:
"Easy. Cream. I saw them like 5 times and it was the loudest thing I have ever witnessed."
I had no reply to that, just my jaw open. she was kinda laughing.
"Easy. Cream. I saw them like 5 times and it was the loudest thing I have ever witnessed."
I had no reply to that, just my jaw open. she was kinda laughing.
Because it's what the band's audience as a whole wants. See my previous story about having to strain to hear Blue Oyster Cult at the Mohegan Sun a couple years ago. I was completely sad about it and did not have a good time at all. Fortunately, it was free, so I guess you get what you pay for.
Saw W.A.S.P. and Stryper on the same bill at the Pacific amphitheater where the volume is strictly controlled. Thank God
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