600 drummers marched through the village of Ertvelde
ROCKNET BELGIUM
Percussionists unite inprotest
Drummers United takes to the streets of Ertvelde to rally against the upcoming sound threshold limitations, writes Marc Maes
ON SUNDAY, 1 April some 600 drummers gathered before Flemish Minister Joke Schauvliege’s private residence in protest against the upcoming sound threshold limitations, to be effective from January 2013. The protest was organised
by Drummers United, a conglomerate founded by drummer Kristof Van Driessche and some of his colleagues – the initiative was rapidly backed by well known percussionists and drummers such as Michael Schack (Milk Inc, Ozark Henry, Roland V-Drums demonstrator), Mario Goossens (Triggerfinger, Hooverphonic) and Isolde Lasoen (Daan). The rally attracted drummers and sound engineers to the village of Ertvelde in East Flanders: in an impressive parade, the percussionists
marched from the village church square to the Minister’s residence where all participants put down their drumsticks in silence. “The Minister was absent, and that’s a pity, because throughout
levels limited to 85dB (A- weighted) in bars and pubs, 95dB(A) in youth clubs and 100dB(A) for festivals, the law is not realistic. Drums simply make more noise than 85dB.”
stage, there’s the extra cost for the band and for the drummer, and the live experience is lost when he’s captured in a glass aquarium,” reacts Schack. Schack underlined that
“Most clubs and bars don’t have the room on stage [to put drummers in plexiglass containers], there’s the extra cost for the band and the drummer, and the live experience is lost”
the debate, she was never interested in hearing our part of the story,” says Schack. “But we’ve collected one euro from each participant to buy a drum kit for the Minister’s kids.” “Actually, we’ve been
protesting since we knew about the new legislation,” Schack continues. “But today, April Fools’ day, marks the end of live music in Flanders. With sound
Following massive protest
against the measures imposed in Flanders, the Minister was confronted with a parliamentary question on the matter. The solution, according to (Catholic party) Minister Schauvliege was to put drummers in plexiglass containers on stage. “That’s impossible – most clubs and bars don’t have the room on
Michael Schack, Drummers United
Drummers United will continue to put pressure on the Flemish Catholic politicians. “We do not agree with this musical censorship.” A videoclip backing the
musician’s protest featuring local artists Belgian Associality and HavenNeuro was shot during the Easter holiday. See the May PSNEurope digital edition for more.