KEY POINTS:
Reputations counted for nothing yesterday as an Auckland noise controller told Kiwi band Opshop, who were busking in the central business district to promote New Zealand Music Month, to turn it down.
Opshop were entertaining about 200 people in Vulcan Lane when the officer appeared and told the group to turn down the volume.
Lead vocalist Jason Kerrison told the crowd: "Everyone say hi to the noise control guy. He's threatening to seize our equipment." To which the crowd answered with a loud "boo".
Auckland City Council spokesman Mark Fenwick said they received one complaint about the noise.
"We told [the contractor] not to shut it down, just to go and listen and see how loud it was. It was in Vulcan Lane, obviously a very confined space."
The incident comes after the band were forced to return to Auckland from Britain after visa problems forced their tour to be put on hold.
Bass player Clint Harris said it was good to be busking to "get back to our roots. It's been an interesting start to New Zealand Music Month.
"We started off being deported from the UK and that's why we're doing this - for [fun] and giggles."
Harris said there had been rumours that members of the band had been in jail-the reason for their not being allowed into Britain.
"Well, obviously those aren't true. We're just some normal guys from Christchurch."
The band have rebooked their British tour. They'll also play Amsterdam on June 13, London on June 18, then head back to NZ for their first local gig in Napier on June 25.
Harris said: "We're looking forward to getting back out in the world and just playing really."
