Noise Tax ~ II
 Feb 3 2007
Sammy
4 years, 123 concerts, 3 assaults, one near drowning, countless drunken
parties and more country and western music than the human body is designed to
endure - living next to the Showgrounds has its ups and downs.
I've learned to kind of tune out the jarring sounds that ripple and clap
out of the showgrounds most weekends.
At least I thought I had. Friday night, there was no tuning out. No
escape. No ear plug dense enough or blanket thick enough to take the edge off
a rock and roll party that had decided the town was its stage.
Apex were hosting a state conference and, for reasons known only to
themselves, decided to get an old rocker in to liven the event. What was
lacking in talent was supercharged on the volume side.
By 10.30, I was getting jittery and grumpy, pulling curtains and
moving to the far end of the house to read in peace. By 11pm I was on the
phone to Ivan Hankinson, holding it up so he could join in the fun. He
assured me he'd call them and tell them to tone it down. I had hung up before it
occurred to me - call who? The drummer?
The volume rose shortly after my call so I assume Ivan got through to
someone.
I had a five am start Saturday morning and thought I'd liven up the day for
some Apex blokes with a cheery early morning call of complaint. I waited till
7.30. I'm not really an ogre.
The chap I called (who shall remain nameless) brushed off my very polite
complaint. "Why didn't you come over and join us? You know, have a free
feed or something?"
End of courtesy. I
did a preachy thing about treating neighbours as you'd like to be
treated yourself and learning how to use a sound metre and he got all testy and
annoyed "Why's everyone picking on me this morning?" he whined.
I
really can't imagine.
However, it was gratifying to know that I wasn't the only one who thought it
over the top. Hell - my mother in Palm St heard it!
So here's the go - first Apex apologise to those residents who were
force-fed mediocre music at a gazillion decibels for three hours. Second they do
some community service in leiu of a noise tax and thirdly, the Showgrounds
committee start insisting that acts held there abide by the EPA Noise Pollution
laws - or at least something close to them. You know. like a couple of thousand
noise points one way or the other.
And Mr Aging rocker? Take a hint - loud doesn't morph into talent - it just
makes your audience blissfully deaf and annoys the neighbours.
Sammy
Late news- I am told the Police arrived at midnight and pulled the plug.
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