The Noise Gestapo Strikes Again!

[FatVin]

Tonefight Wrote:

Just another though on this, is it too late or even possible to have the stipulation that there must be a complaint for any kind of violation to take place?

In other words bar X out in the boonies not bothering any body doesn't get a fine just because someone feels like giving them one.

In most of the cases I've ever heard of, there has been some kind of complaint, even bar X out in the boonies, that's half the reason why we need the law to be specific about db levels.

The way it is right now, Ol' Zeke and Clem out tending the 'still way up on Wapsy or someplace can call about the reverberations of somebody's Bass amp 3 or 4 miles away because the bass frequencies will bounce off trees, lakes and mountains. If we get the new law in place, the cops still have to respond to the "anonymous call" but now they have to take a db meter.

What only 48db?, sorry, no violation.

Even the Barney Fife wannabes around here have better things to do than go looking for loud bars, when a bar gets busted 9 times out of 10, it's because some knucklehead complained or it's over something else and sound is just an excuse.

What we're trying to do is keep live music out of the many disputes between the the PLCB and club owners. It'll also send a message that we're not gonna be pushed around anymore.

If we get this change in place there will probably be some political retribution but it won't be because of live music.

[songsmith]

I got told to turn it down at band practice the other night! That hasn't happened in like 20 years! The neighbor came over and bitched me out... it was kinda cool, I feel like a rebel. I'm not sure she called the cops, but they drove by twice while we were discussing the "problem." Lesson: Check local ordinances at your practice space regarding when you need to be quiet...Mostly 10pm, but can differ.------>JMS

[FatVin]

Today, I went online and went looking for and found musician discussion forums in all corners of our little commonwealth asking for their assistance and giving them the link to the petition PDF so we can get help from our brothers in the whole state. What good it'll do I don't know cause based on the response from Harrisburg it looks like nobody wants to make waves but We'll get fighting the good fight.

[GUITARII]

Has anyone determined an address to send the signatures to yet? I have already begun getting signatures and want to know where to send them.

[JeffLeeper]

My band just played a gig at a little mountain bar called George's Tavern. Started out a little slow , and got kind of crazy.....the people were the friendliest I believe I've ever met.

It was a dance to raise money for the American Cancer Society.....The owner donated the food....the band , and the place....and the only neighbor within walking distance was at the dance.

My band...The ClassicCats , is the most ,"turn it up ! ".......NOT loud .... band on the circuit , as we're used to playing a lot of clubs and private stuff....

The PLCB showed up , fined the owner " Probably $3000.00 " ....and you'll be closed down for 3 weeks....and left without saying anything about a disturbance or a complaint....

This is the height of rediculous....He was fined last year for the jukebox....out in the middle of nowhere.....Rt. 53 , near Dysart....

So ,I'd say you're right , Vinnie and all....Something's got to be done.

[lonewolf]

Has anyone determined an address to send the signatures to yet? I have already begun getting signatures and want to know where to send them.

That still needs taken care of. Its time we came to a concensus on that. This is a topic that should be discussed on the thread under "The Law".

There are a few people in that thread that offered their addresses and its time we settled that problem.

[oobie]

jeff is right it happened at Goerge's Tavern in BFE.

i was there(don't know if you know me or remember talking to me Jeff).
the funny thing was that they didn't see the drunk guy passed out sleeping at the bar!!! the band was to loud?!?!?!?!?!?!? that why they didn't see him right????

great job jeff and the classic cats that night by the way!

[JeffLeeper]

Appreciate the nice words....I spoke to lots of folks , so don't get mad if I don't place you right away....If I saw you , I'd know you , though.

That was really unfortunate , what happened to George. I hope he's not nailed as badly as he thought , that night.

By the way , we'll be playing close by....at the Anchor Inn - on Sept. 25th....10 til 1.....or whenever we're allowed to stop....Come on down.

Sue had Jo give her the details about our band before she took a chance on us....LOL....Hope to see you there.....Oh , and the drunk on the bar.....Just like everyone else , there....he was a really nice guy , when he was awake.

Folks , what are we to do about the Noise Police ?

[tonefight]

I'm really suprized no bar owners have offered any advice , assistance or got involved in this at all. After all, it kinda REALLY effects them more than us since they get the fine.

[Jim Price]

First - I will be reporting on the petition as part of my "Local Music News" segment on this Sunday's "Backyard Rocker" (8/22) and I will continue to report on the issue as developments warrant.

Second - Although I hope somebody else will already be taking care of this, I have printed out the petition and will be bringing it along to The Grimm show at Peter C's on Friday night, "End Of Summer Jam" both Saturday and Sunday, Magoo's on Saturday night, and Pellegrine's on Sunday night (the latter two locations depending on when I get done with "End Of Summer Jam" either night). Anyone else with petitions, take them around this weekend!

[noAngel]

well, to add fuel to the fire...noAngels is an acoustic act, but i'm still in a classic rock act "Classic Cats" until the end of the year. the Cats played a benefit for the American Cancer Society at George's Tavern in Dysart last saturday the 14th. note: we are not an overly loud band! stage volumes at a min and the PA set at a comfortable level. the end of the night a PLCB nazi told the owner that he was busted for noise violation; that he walked out back and could still hear the band. since this is his second violation in 90 days, (his first violation was for the juke box!) he faces a $3000 fine and his bar will be shut down for an extended period of time.

AND IT'S ALL UP TO THE DISCRESSION OF THE PLCB OFFICER WHAT CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION!!!

some perameters must be established, or this could lead to (or has led to) the abuse of power by the fascist PLCB

by the way, i would love to be able to stop at the new sheetz for a 6-pack.

[plumcrazy]

Can anyone tell me when the petitions are going to be turned in and where??

thanks

Cath

[GUITARII]

Is this a dead issue already? I've got quite a few sigs but no place to turn them into yet. I know this topic was moved to the Law forum but the last post there was mine from a few weeks ago..... What's happening with this?

[songsmith]

Bump. This needs to stay in your face. Read back through it, everyone.---->JMS

[ERiC_AiXeLsyD]

I can't imagine any of this shit happening in the 'Burgh... but what's to stop it if it effects you guys so much? The whole idea is insane.

Has anyone thought about maybe doing benefit shows to help "soundproof" the best clubs & bars?

(Not suggestingyou stop your current suggested course of action... but maybe doing this to go along with it would show some level of responsibility & understanding of the "other side".)

[Possessed]

On Saturday night our final show of the year, the noise gestapo showed up and tried to shut us down. Fined Henry'D's $1000 and basically screwed up the night as well. I am so pissed about this that I am willing to do anything needed to stop this BULLSHIT!!!! The PLCB is going way over the line this time. It's fine for the same bar to have DJ's playing rap at much higher decibels than us. I hate the system and am willng to screw them over as much as possible. Send me an e-mail to Stilesthemighty@hotmail.com and I will do everything in my power to stop these facist bastards!!!!!

[ChromeCultStudios]

Want to play and Piss the Nazis off?

I own Chrome Cult Studios. 5000 Watt PA and Lights
Do a gig at my place.... What is cool about my place?

I have a bar right next door. Go get your drink on and see your
bands... And Guess what the LCB has no say over my place
at all.

But guess what people find it a problem to come see the bands
and have to go next door to get a drink. So you still have the same problems.

The LCB is getting pay back for the black eye last year...
Remember the no under 21 nights?

The Bar owners who make a good cut from sells, got to the House and reversed the rule.. So I guess it's pay back time.

They will pick on the places that are an easy target...

[cucuplex96]

There are some very good points in this dicussion. Everyone should copy and paste the good points into wordpad and save them for later.
The way some of these points are worded could be very helpful when speaking to the higher-ups. This is a very sad thing. We seem to be always loosing our grip. I take my music playing very seriously. Its like a job for me. I eat, sleep and shit music.

When the constuction company built a new reservoir near my house, there was many times I wanted to walk up there and tell them i was trying to sleep. But, they had a job to do! They had to get paid.
Wouldnt it be nice if the Higher-ups looked at what we do as a job more than recreation. We provide a service, we provide entertainment for the people that can't always afford a $45 dollar ticket. The city of altoona needs to realize that entertainment is real revenue. Wouldnt it be kick ass if Altoona was bumpin again. Remember when the Altoona high school had uriah heap, montrose, and the outlaws? That brought alot of money here. Atoona has the right idea with the george carlin thing and the
willy nelson and bob dylan concert. But altoona needs to think about all the money home town, and surrounding area bands can bring.

We are all worth more. We should be able to make a small living with our talents, or at least half a living.

Most of us are not just a bunch of punk kids playing in a loud
rock n roll band. Some of us have a decade or more under our belts and have thousands of dollars rapped up in all of our equipment.

This is a lifestyle.

I'm ready for a change and I'm willing to do anyting I can to help.
Get my attetion on the rock page here! and we'll see what we can do together. But remember we have more issues to fix other than
just this noise crap. but lets take it one step at a time!!