Dave Grohl wrote a letter to the Cornwall Council in the UK after Black Leaves of Envy, a teenage band from Praa Sands, Cornwall, contacted him to say they had to keep the noise down to about 30 to 40 decibels after their neighbors complained.
In the letter, Dave wrote:
“Like many musicians, I started in a garage in my neighborhood. Together with friends, my adolescent years were made better by playing music with others.
Music is not only a healthy pastime, it is a wonderful, creative outlet for kids, and fosters a sense of community necessary in the emotional and social development of any child. It is tremendously important, and helped me through those otherwise difficult years growing up in Springfield, Virginia.
For musicians that lack the resources to rehearse in professional facilities, a garage of basement is the only place they have to develop their talent and passion. I believe that it is crucial that children have a place to explore their creativity and establish a sense of self through song.
The preservation of such is paramount to the future of art and music. Without them, where would we be?”
On Facebook, Dave also linked a guide to soundproofing your performance space.
The father of one of the band members said the band has not been able to play for three months, despite only having one nearby neighbor who has not complained. The others, he says, are a farmer’s field away.
The Cornwall Council did respond to Dave’s letter saying, we are working with all concerced to find a solution but have to investigate if we get noise complaints.
