Am in the process of reducing our volume. Better placement of monitors, take stuff OUT of the PA, and TURN THE F**K DOWN. We just did a gig in a 500-capable town hall, and we kept it way below previous pub volumes. Sounded great, no hearing stress for anyone. Next: persuade the drummer to use hot rods in small venues so he still welly everything without killing eardrums...
EDIT: new side project is a bluesy trio. Guitarist has a new Blues Junior. Quite capable of being loud, but being 15W sets a limit...also, drummer has more than one setting!