Turning Up the Petty: How One Apartment Dweller Fought Loud Neighbors With Rage (Against the Machine)
Ah, apartment living. Where you share walls, ceilings, and—unfortunately—your neighbor’s questionable taste in music. If you’ve ever tried to drift off to sleep while your neighbor tests the limits of their subwoofer, you know the struggle all too well. But what if, instead of suffering in silence, you fought fire with fire? Or, in this case, bass with even more bass?
Today’s tale of petty revenge comes straight from Reddit’s legendary r/PettyRevenge, where user u/Lovesyourmomsbjs describes a battle not just for peace and quiet, but for sonic superiority. Spoiler: Rage Against The Machine was involved, so you know things got loud.
Let the Bass Wars Begin
Our story begins in a typical apartment, where our hero (let’s call them The Avenger) is just trying to enjoy a peaceful night. Suddenly, the tranquility is shattered by the relentless thump of bass emanating from next door. You know the type—the kind of music where, even if you can't make out the lyrics, your internal organs are getting a percussion massage.
Ever the problem-solver, The Avenger tries the classic solutions: white noise from a fan, earbuds jammed in for dear life. But when you can still feel the bass through the walls and the earbuds become less “cozy sleep aid” and more “medieval torture device,” it’s time for diplomacy.
A respectful text is sent. The neighbor, apparently caught off guard by being reminded that, yes, other people exist, lowers the volume. Peace returns. For a while.
But like every good villain in a Marvel movie, the neighbor’s music returns—louder, stronger, bassier than before. The Avenger’s patience snaps, and thus begins a symphony of petty revenge.
Maximum Volume, Maximum Petty
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a peace-loving tenant decides to take matters into their own hands, here’s your answer: they grab their Alexa speaker, crank the volume to 11, and press it against the shared wall. The song of choice? None other than Rage Against The Machine. (Because if you’re going to start a sonic war, you might as well have an anthem.)
The result? The Avenger’s entire apartment vibrates with righteous fury—and, presumably, so does the neighbor’s. The thumping from next door ceases, replaced by the unmistakable sound of petty victory. Each time the neighbor dares to blast their music again, The Avenger retaliates with another round of wall-shaking Rage, ensuring that the message is received loud and clear.
The Art of Petty Revenge (And Why It’s So Satisfying)
What makes this story so entertaining isn’t just the creative approach to problem-solving (or the inspired playlist selection), but the universal feeling it taps into. Who among us hasn’t fantasized about giving inconsiderate neighbors a taste of their own medicine? There’s something deeply satisfying about the idea of standing up for yourself—not with confrontation or escalation, but with a carefully calibrated dose of their own tactics.
Plus, there’s an unspoken etiquette to shared living spaces. Most of us try to be considerate, but when that courtesy isn’t returned, it’s only fair to remind others that walls are, in fact, not soundproof. Sometimes, the only way to teach a lesson is with a few decibels of righteous fury.
A Cautionary Note: The Fine Line Between Petty and Problematic
Of course, not all acts of petty revenge are created equal. There’s a delicate balance to strike between making your point and becoming the very problem you set out to solve. Our Avenger’s approach is clever and measured—they blast music only in response, and only to drive home a message. Still, if you’re tempted to try this yourself, remember: a little pettiness goes a long way, and a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones might save you a headache (and a potential noise complaint).
Join the Conversation: What’s Your Best Petty Revenge?
So, what’s the lesson here? Sometimes, when politeness fails and patience wears thin, a little musical warfare is just what the (neighbor) ordered.
Have you ever had to get creative with noisy neighbors? What’s your favorite act of petty revenge? Share your stories in the comments below! And remember: when life hands you thumping bass, turn up the Rage—just long enough to make your point.
Rock on, fellow apartment warriors.
Original Reddit Post: Apartment Neighbor Kept Blasting Music So I Gave Him A Taste Of His Own Medicine