I mix sound, and I used to play guitar and bass in a number of bands (still play for fun). As a player, nothing makes me happier than being able to crank up at a gig. So i've been on both sides of the battle. Even after mixing sound for 10 years, being told to turn down sucks. It's especially tough to gauge if you're actually too loud, when you're trusting opinions of your friends, or bartenders, and everyone has their own opinion of what sounds good. If your sound guy has a good reputation, then chances are he/she cares about the band sounding good, and you should listen. They probably want to be hired again, so their credibility is on the line.
The job in general can be pretty miserable, as someone pointed out that a lot of people who do try to make a living at it are musicians first and this is obviously their second choice in the industry. But there are actually those out there who take pride in what they're doing, and try to make things sound their best. I try to keep the vocals loud and clean, and that's a bit of a challenge when some band shows up with a 100 watt marshall and ampeg svt and wants to crank up (to like. unreasonable levels) and refuses to turn down because cranked amps and loud drums is "their sound". When groups show up and do those things, guess who gets blamed for the bad mix that night?
What many (not all) people don't understand is a lot of bars & small venues probably can't afford to have the latest and greatest in PA equipment, and while there are products and skilled people out there to maximize results & get the vocals up to keep up with the loud bands, a lot of times, actually most of the time that's not going to happen. If you can't hear vocals, you got yourself a crappy mix. Tough shot to the ego for a guitar player, but it's true. In my experience, if you can get a good vocal sound, then everything else will fall into place. Having a sweet guitar tone, punchy bass, and a tight drum kit. It all makes for a good night. If all you have to worry about is bumping up levels for guitar solos or whatever, then you know you got it all right.
What I tell bands to do, - if there's a sound check - point your amps in to the side or at least a bit off axis from where the console is, turn up enough so you can hear yourself and your band mates over the drums, then set some monitor levels for vocals, and top everything else up with the house PA and monitors so you can get some usable levels for bumping up solos and stuff. Sometimes, depending on how bad someone's hearing is, but it may actually get the speakers in your cab moving enough to start feeling good. For some, maybe not. It usually gets me good results, and most people seem to be happy with it. You'll never please everyone lol. It might be a suggestion to those sound persons *who care*. Nothing is going to help when you got a young punk who doesn't give a shit, and is just there for the cash. Of course, all of this means nothing if your sound person doesn't have a clue either. Just like a band has to put effort into their playing, a sound person needs to put effort into their shit as well. Everyone needs to work together for the good result - a good sounding show which leads to selling cd's, getting hired again, and just having a good night.
Sorry for digging up an old thread, but I thought it was interesting, since i've had a bunch of experience on both ends, and it's only my second post to the board.
cheers.
