(no subject)

[cyrano]

Dear Rose and other readers:
I promised a big detailed concert posting, but apparently I am too old.
I had plans. I was going to talk about the opening bands, and about Bradd being a gentleman and taking the crappy seat while Aelf was out.
But my first hint that I was too old came while the third opening band (Filthy Thieving Scoundrels) was on, and the World's Biggest* Dropkick Murphys fan sat down behind me. And then, during the intermission, the volume level on the music went *way* up. As did the volume levels on the monitors. And then the pot smoke started to fill the air, which gave me a piercing headache. I should have run then.
After about twenty minutes with TWBDMF, the band came on stage.
The sound quality was utter shite. It was kind of like listening to one of those white noise generators hooked up to a jet engine. I could feel the drums and occasionally the bass vibrating through my body and fucking with my heart beat. Which meant it was time to go. And since everybody was standing up since everybody in front of them had stood up and they couldn't see, that mean crawling out over the chairs. In the outer lobby, the volume was finally diminished enough I could take out my earplugs. Barely enough. I'm glad the folks I went with stayed and enjoyed it. I wish I'd enjoyed it more.

*For values of Biggest, measure by volume and inebriation. But at least he was friendly and garrulous.

Comments

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

I know the exact feeling. Sucks getting old, doesn't it? =D

Seriously, nothing ruins good entertainment like crappy sound equipment, and that has nothing to do with getting old. If you can't hear the music, then you can't enjoy it. Unfortunately, a lot of places (one of our local movie theaters included) seem to think that they don't need to get better equipment so long as they turn it up loud enough. In situations like that, I'm thinking that they should (at the very least) offer free alcohol so you can enjoy the assault. Pure decency, people. Come on.

Had you thought about asking for a refund on your ticket? I'd say "couldn't hear the band due to cheap-ass sound equipment" would be a valid reason...

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I did think about it, given that they were pretty much the only reason I'd shown up, but the first two hours, when the volume had been at a reasonable rate, it hadn't been an issue. Plus, I was really tired and headachey and not feeling like trying to track down anybody in charge and shout at a volume loud enough to be heard over the ambient noise.
I may reconsider.

[roisnoir.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's the equipment - I had the same experience with DKM last time they were here, at the same venue.

They just crank *everything* possible, and let the sound sort itself out.
Painful.

The only way I recognized the songs is the cadence of the words with the drums, because I couldn't make heads or tails of anything else.

Though watching the *three* sections of pit was incredible. Like watching people boil (as if they were the water, not in it.)

I suspect that something covering the ears (not just earplugs, but the big things that look like 80's radios for runners) would help.

now for a moment of snobbery

[miss-friday.livejournal.com]

Miss Friday's Reasons to Scorn Popular (Rock) Music #2345176:

Real musicians know that sound quantity does not equal sound quality. Pop/Rock musicians do not.

[aelfsciene.livejournal.com]

I hadn't realized how much the sound level was bothering you, and would have been Just Fine if you wanted to leave early. Pity there was no way to communicate that, given the noise levels. I was starting to think my ears would begin bleeding, at one point, it was so overwhelming.

I think DKM is the rare (only?) band who I prefer recorded, not live, between the Angry Young Men and insane noise level.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

I decidedly did *not* want to drag everybody else out of there early. Noise levels in the lobby were acceptable, and a cute girl asked me if I wanted some water. (:

[nutty-irishman.livejournal.com]

You flatter me -- the crappy seat wasn't all THAT bad. :) I was OK with the noise, but then I'm deaf to begin with. It would've been nice to have a bit more clarity, though.