In case there was any lingering doubt as to the absurdity of the current Austin sound ordinance and complete lack of City Council leadership on the issue, Shady Grove was issued a noise ordinance violation last Thursday during the Gourds’ annual set for KGSR’s beloved Unplugged at the Grove series.
“The complaints I got after the show was that no one could hear,” relays the Gourds’ Kevin Russell, who’s planning a day of protest for bands and venue owners. “We’ve played around here for so long now, we were personally insulted by it.” Under the current ordinance, outdoor live music at restaurants is limited to 70 decibels, as measured from any point on the licensed premises’ property lines.
To make matters worse, Austin police turned up again last night, due to a neighborhood complaint, and ordered the show to be stopped midway through opener Sahara Smith’s set. Shady Grove owner Mike Young says that the restaurant has applied for a variance to the ordinance to host music at 85 decibels, but is awaiting approval from the city.
“I’m not having a major beef with the city,” says Young, who has vowed to continue with the series, which hosts Band of Heathens on Thursday. “They just need to get their ordinances straight.”
This article appears in June 12 • 2009.