Hahahahahaha!!!

Hell, I am ampless these days. I can get by using a $20 set of computer speakers from Wal-Mart if I really want to hear myself.

Ha. I'm astounded at how low the sound levels have gotten at bars and clubs these days. Shit's just gotten too "PC" these days. Can't smoke in the bar, and now bands can't play loud. What's next? A two-drink limit? Seriously, I play louder at home by myself than the entire bands I've seen lately. Wow.

Actually I don't think it has anything to do with PC people just want to go out and drink. Too many entertainment options these days so love music doesn't hold the same sacred thrill it once did people want to be able to conversate at a bar which has actually has become a rare commodity. It's really sad.

As with anything, there are always different categories.
I find that a certain type of venue may have lower volume, while others do not. It usually has to do with the 'atmosphere' that people are putting out. Concert venues are going to be louder. While 'social clubs' are going to be quieter so the patrons can talk to each other.

I also find that 'perception' is a big issue. Because sound system quality (and pricing) has gotten better over the years, you can get the same level of volume without the distortion. Which gives many people the impression that it is not as loud.




****
And as far as me, personally, being ampless, it is not about volume. I have the pa/monitors to give me volume.
I just got lazy and no longer wanted to break my back carrying gear. I use one little floor unit, it replaced everything that went between the guitar and the mixer.

Load in, set up, and sound check takes just a few minutes.

This seems to be the case at a lot of the venues I play on a regular basis. As they have upgraded their systems with digital boards, class D amps (or even totally self-powered systems), the sound quality has improved astronomically. One of these venues was always notorious for being an AWESOME place to play but with BAD sound. Not anymore. KILLER vibe with KILLER sound. They went ALL digital with their PA and you can tell the difference. The bands sound clear and punchy, and you can still have a conversation. Don't get me wrong - some of the bands STILL sound crappy because THEY suck - or their gear sucks (out of tune drums, cheap amps, etc.), but the SOUND is better....haha, it's often a lot more painful with the shit bands.

That's a great point, although I still think a lot of it has to do with our feminized, girly-man "PC" culture. I've noticed that most patrons couldn't care less about the band so long as they're playing something. And at a level they can talk over. Funnier yet, seeing groups of people together, yet detached, in their own smartphone-FB-Twitter world. Ha.

Conversate? That's not even a word! Maybe in ebonics.

I am allowed to make up words. I make up chords that do t work also.

But, yes, we are currently in a 'boring' trend. Where people would rather act like a 'stuffed shirt', sipping martinis and wine and smoking cigars or clove cigarettes.
E-cigarettes. Micro Brews - discussing the relevance of the French hops over the German hops.
This trend his ran it's course, and all we need is the next 'fun' thing to come around to bring us back to a party-like atmosphere.


Irish-rock is trying. But it won't happen.
The beards have ran their course and are starting to be shaved, and not enough dudes want to wear dresses. Plus, face it, those hats are stupid.

To me the major issue is that there is no appreciation in the effort live music takes. Even simple pop music. To pull everything off is amazing to watch. So many entertainment choices available though no one likes to see a craft... Hell the best part of seeing bar we ands was seeing the work in progress. Every thing is prerecord end tracks and plastic these days ughhh. Where is the fun of live music? Fuck you YouTube!

...and it's getting worse peeps

I just read, on this forum I might add, about earplugs at concerts
EARPLUGS? at a CONCERT? WTF?!?!?!

Next up, we're gonna be seeing "what kind of coffee do you prefer with listening to music", "Maiden's new album sounds a bit dull on Dolby 9.1",
"What color should the lining of my car be if I intend to listen to babymetal" and "Kurt Cobain was a better shredder than people made him out to be" (....oh wait)

.... surely not someone from OUR generation!


As to the second part of your post I was totally expecting that from today's kids from College to middle school. Chalk, triggers & safe spaces... this gen will be the one to be invaded, pussies, fucking pussies!