Need Advice from Musicians or Law Enforcement

[puckhead]

So I’ve noticed we have some musicians and law enforcement types that frequent ASFN. I need some advice from you please. About a year ago, I started jamming with some friends of mine on Wednesday nights. Usually from 7pm until 10-10:30-never past 11. Our guitarist owns the home and has been practicing there with a full band for about 5 years on the same schedule. Early on, he took the time to speak with all the neighbors and they all compromised on Wednesday nights only and never past 11pm. Fast-forward to 2 weeks ago, just as practice was finishing up, police arrive at the door.

“No big deal,” the officer says, “but we got a complaint, would you please stop.”

We say, “Yes sir.”

It was about 10:45 so we didn’t really worry about it. We skip the next Wednesday because the homeowner wants to make sure and communicate with neighbors again. Of course no one called the cops. So last night we startup at 7:45, and everyone dials it down quite a bit so we don’t exacerbate the situation from 2 weeks ago. By 8:05 cop is banging on garage door.

“Got a complaint, you need to stop. If I have to come out again, owner gets a ticket.”

We say, “Thank you sir.” We then cancel practice.

So today I take a look at the ordinance here: http://www.phoenix.gov/police/loud_party_eng.html

It seems to be pretty subjective on what’s a “threat” to peace and/or general welfare that would expose the homeowner to up to $1000 fine.

So, any advice other than new practice place (around $500 a month with no A/C)?

Does the homeowner have any rights in his favor?

Any personal experience from the musicians or law enforcement that you think might help us?

Thanks for reading and any advice.

 

[Gaddabout]

You're in a pickle. Homeowner doesn't really have any rights on noise levels that impact other neighbors.

You need to find practice studios that rent by the hour or something like that. The only ones I knew of were over near 40th St. and Broadway, but that was 20 years ago.

 

[Ryanwb]

Holy cow, the neighbor across the street from my house jams on Wednesday nights too. ... but we live in Mesa. They are always done by like 10:00 or so. The bass does get a little distrubing but it never really bothers me

 

[Darth Llama]

You could try taking some Egg Crate foam and noise proofing the Garage. It's really cheap and it absorbs sound quite well. I had the same problem when I used to play with a friends band in a garage. The guy that owned the house had neighbors that complained about everything, but after we insulated the garage and turned the volume down a bit we were able to do it.

Only other option I can think of is maybe setting up in the house. The living room will be better insulated then the garage and won't be so loud for your neighbors as long as windows are closed.

 

[puckhead]

Great ideas so far, thank you!

Keep 'em coming!

 

[Gaddabout]

If you're going to soundproof a garage, it really requires a semi-permanent enclosure. Egg crates aren't going to do it. Egg crates are really a low-budget version of what studios do to improve the quality of the sound. It doesn't deaden it very much, especially if you're getting complaints.

Thick foam against the garage door, seal all corners (and windows!) with urethane foam, baffle the loft entrance with foam, baffle the corners of the room to deflect sound escaping through the ceiling. I would even suggest attaching foam to the ceiling if you can. It can get very expensive, but it's probably cheaper than renting a practice studio for a year.

 

[Gaddabout]

Oh yes, if you do that, make sure you leave room for an air conditioning from the house. It's pretty easy to suffocate under conditions like that, especially in a Phoenix summer.

 

[Darth Llama]

Egg Crate isn't the best solution, but I was giving him a cost effective method. It does deaden sound, I have used it in the past, but there are obvious better solutions. If you just need to quiet it down a little, and you're on a budget it's quick and easy. If it doesn't work, you're out $20 and an hour of your time.

 

[Gaddabout]

Egg Crate isn't the best solution, but I was giving him a cost effective method. It does deaden sound, I have used it in the past, but there are obvious better solutions. If you just need to quiet it down a little, and you're on a budget it's quick and easy. If it doesn't work, you're out $20 and an hour of your time.

Hmmmm. Are you referring to literal egg crates or egg crate foam? I'm going to buy some egg crate for a studio project, but it's costing me about $50 for an 80" x 80"x3" square. It's less expensive than professional foam bricks, but it's still not cheap. If you can get it cheaper, you need to hook me up.

 

[Darth Llama]

Hmmmm. Are you referring to literal egg crates or egg crate foam? I'm going to buy some egg crate for a studio project, but it's costing me about $50 for an 80" x 80"x3" square. It's less expensive than professional foam bricks, but it's still not cheap. If you can get it cheaper, you need to hook me up.

Wow.. it costs that much?

We used Egg Crate foam, but this was like 10 years ago. I'm sorry, but I don't remember where we got it, I just remember we had a ton of it. I had no idea it was that expensive, if that's the case (and I have no reason to doubt you) then perhaps my idea isn't the best one. The stuff we used was really think foam and it came in big blue rolls.

 

[Gaddabout]

The stuff we used was really think foam and it came in big blue rolls.

Sounds like it could've been overstock from a carpet company or something like that. If you know where to look you can always get deals.

 

[vince56]

Most rehearsal pads are $300-$400. We pay about $400, downtown by the Chase building, and it's got AC.

 

[puckhead]

Thank you everyone for your advice/suggestions. It looks like we’re moving to the bassist’s house starting next Wednesday. None of the neighbors will admit to calling the cops and the cops won’t tell us who called. (No surprise there, can’t say I blame them)

Hopefully we won’t have any issues there or I’ll be getting rid of my pool table and bringing the band to my house.

BTW, I found some great DIY sound treatments using hard-pressed insulation. It’s not cheap, but not anywhere near as expensive as the pre-made stuff you find for studios and the insulation actually is very effective on the lower frequencies.

So, thanks again and wish us luck.

 

[Rivercard]

None of the neighbors will admit to calling the cops

Odd you did this for so long and now all of a sudden you get the buzzkill calls. Has anyone new moved into the neighborhood in the last year? It's most likely a female (perhaps irritated that she can't hear American Idol over all the racket) or an old man (perhaps all those high end frequencies and feedback are messing with his hearing aid).

 

[puckhead]

Yeah, it is pretty strange and frustrating. We wish we had paid better attention to the for sale signs now.

I really could understand calling the police if:

1. We never attempted to communicate or were disrespectful with the neighbors.
2. It was a bunch of screaming kids with groupies and a big party every Wed.
3. We turned it up to 11 and made no attempt at soundproofing.

Whatever, as Gad puts it, we’re in a pickle and there’s really nothing we can do but move on. I think I will go ahead and blame American Idol, though.

 

[Rivercard]

I think I will go ahead and blame American Idol, though. [/SIZE][/FONT]

Fact is a lot of people seem to think we're wasting their time with composition, sounds and mood, music theory or putting together a chord pattern and string of notes that may tickle the ear. Vocal gymnastics is all the rage (or a bitchin twang if'n your'e listening to the country station). All you need is musical wallpaper behind it.

 

[Gaddabout]

musical wallpaper

Best term to describe pop music circa the post-studio musician era (i.e. around 1982). Excellent phrase. Thank you!

 

[SunDevilDon]

How many people are in your band? If it's only FOUR, that LOUD PARTY ordinance wouldn't apply. I"m no attorney, but if you check that link again, it states:

Loud Party Ordinance
Information Provided by the Police Department

Ordinance G-4630, section 2-45.1 was amended to increase neighborhood safety and reduce threats to the public peace, health, safety and general welfare. The ordinance addresses parties, social gatherings or events which result in disturbing the peace, quiet and enjoyment of our community. These occurrences often lead to excessive noise and traffic, obstruction of public streets, public drunkenness, underage drinking, fights and littering, among other problems.

What does a loud party include?

Any large party, gathering, or event with five or more persons who have assembled for a special occasion, social activity or other event on public or private property.

Just sayin'

 

[puckhead]

^^Good point, but we're past it now.

The good news is no problems last night at our bassist's house. Went until 10pm without a peep from neighbors or police!

Funny thing is, we all like his place waaaay better than the garage. Sounds better and we actually were able to turn up a little. Sometimes things happen for a reason I guess.