He no longer allows bands to use full drum kits and will soon submit plans for a sound-proofed roof at a cost of $100,000. But the man with an impeccable music pedigree has been rocked by the council's latest salvo. ''For the council to say demolish it now or face action in the Magistrates Court is very heavy-handed. We've always tried to work with council but it's become so difficult. We've been stonewalled and given so much grief. It's like Yes Minister down there and I feel like I'm dealing with Sir Humphrey Appleby,'' Mr Stevens said.

The council has also rejected an application to alter the venue's cafe licence, and Mr Stevens has appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The council would not confirm how many residents had raised concerns about Pure Pop Records, but most complaints can be traced to neighbour Maurice Venning, 60, who lives nearby. Mr Venning confirmed he had contacted the council about 100 times over the past four years and kept a detailed log of his grievances. ''It starts at 2pm in the afternoon, they have live music until 8pm and then recorded music goes on until 11pm at night. And if we call the police it will take 50 minutes. There is a long history here and I've documented everything that has happened,'' Mr Venning said.

He said there were several other complainants.

''Engineers have verified the noise from Pure Pop is anywhere from five to 20 decibels above the standard level,'' Mr Venning said.