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Band Talking Sound Volume Loudest World Lot Guinness

Id ESLPod_0654_CN
Episode Id ESLPod 654
Episode Title Talking About Sound and Volume
Title Talking About Sound and Volume
Text

Most musicians are interested in producing the best, most "memorable" (easy to remember) music, but others want to be known as the loudest band in the world. There has been a lot of competition among bands for this "sought-after" (wanted very badly by many people) "title" (label; honor). Many bands "proudly" (with a lot of pride, feeling that one has done something well) claim to be the loudest band in the world.

In 1972, The Guinness Book of World Records (discussed in English Café 89) listed Deep Purple as the "loudest pop group" when its concert in London was measured at 117 decibels. Three of the people in the audience actually became "unconscious" (unaware of what is happening around oneself and appearing to be asleep, often because one has hit one's head).

Other bands "have since" (since then) made music with even higher recorded decibel measurements, but the Guinness Book doesn't award titles for "loudest band" anymore because it doesn't want to be responsible for "hearing damage" (reductions in one's ability to hear because one was exposed to very loud noises).

Nevertheless, bands continue to try to get louder and louder. In 2009, the band Kiss reached 136 decibels at a festival in Canada, but this was far above the allowed "limit" (maximum amount). Neighbors complained about the noise, and the band had to turn down the volume.

"Exposure to" (being in the presence of) loud noises can cause "severe" (very bad and serious) hearing damage and can actually be "painful" (causing discomfort). Bands know this, but they continue to play loudly anyway. In fact, the band AC/DC used to be known for playing its music "painfully loud."

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