I only had one situation where I was in a band and we had the 'cops' show up - and it was in a house.  But after that we decided to rent out a storage space and practice there, albeit not very condusive to practice.  Before that, we practiced in our duplex without too much hoopla - but then the next-door neighbor was out either working or partying most of the time which made it easier and didn't seem to mind or complain.

When it comes down to bands and practicing in residential neighborhoods, the solution that seems best (and one band that I know went this route) is to acoustically insulate the practice/recording room.  Then you can play as loud as you want to your heart's content and the neighbors don't suspect a thing. :)  Apartments are another matter - a band shouldn't be practicing in an apartment.  This would require special acoustical insulation (if inbetween floors, it would require not only wall insulation but floor and/or ceiling insulation).  Bands in this situation need to find a better space.

C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot. C++ makes it harder, but when you do, you blow your whole leg off.

 -- Bjarne Stroustrup

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