This is not so much a one nightmare gig, but one thing that has happened at several gigs.
My band, The Experiments, are a loud rock / punk band. We don't hide this, in fact we proudly proclaim it.
Several times, when we are about to start playing, and we all hit an E chord to make sure we have the levels right, the club manager will come running up and say "turn down! turn down! Our neighbors will complain!"
Nothing is so disheartening. Why did you even book us? Did you listen to our CD at all? Obviously not.
This happens at smaller clubs, where the only thing in the PA is vocals. We do what we can to play quiet, but our drummer is a madman, and he dictates the volume level. Can't turn down acoustic drums.
I understand the California ABC (Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control) takes a hard line on noise complaints, but really, know who you are booking.
Guess we're not going back to that place. :)