‘Rock n’ Roll rebel’: Noise complaints lead to half-naked musician’s arrest in own driveway

A video of a local musician known for wearing nothing but his underwear has emerged online after weekly live gigs in his driveway led to his arrest.

A South Australian musician has been arrested while performing half-naked in his driveway after allegedly failing to comply with an environment protection order following noise complaints.

Savas Caruso, 32, is renowned in Adelaide’s northern suburbs for performing every Sunday in front of his Salisbury Downs driveway in nothing but his underwear and Converse sneakers.

He plays his electric guitar and performs for about 45 minutes each week, blaring his original songs through speakers.

But the musician, who calls himself Subblet Hammer or Subb, was arrested by SA Police on June 13 after he was issued with the environment protection order and directed not to perform for 72 hours the day prior.

After his arrest, Mr Caruso was held in custody for three days.

Savas “Subb” Caruso, 32, plays his acoustic guitar and performs in his street every Sunday. Picture: Facebook

He is known for his long curly hair and next-to-nothing attire. Picture: Facebook via NCA NewsWire

Video footage of the arrest showed the half-naked man singing and playing his guitar, before a handful of officers walked up to him and pulled the plug on the music.

It then showed Mr Caruso’s brother, Antonio, handing out pieces of paper to the officers before the musician was handcuffed and taken into the back of a police car.

A change.org petition was set up by Mr Caruso under the name SUBB’S WORLD, asking for 1500 signatures to “seek justice”.

According to that page, the documents given to the officers were non-consent forms as well as a notice of liability to the officers that stated they would be made liable for damages if they carried out the arrest and trespassed on private property without a warrant.

“The video clearly shows they unjustifiably used a forceful approach,” Mr Caruso wrote on his petition page.

“Their appalling display of authority was a clear tactic of intimidation to suppress the man’s rights to express himself using his music.”

The petition named “Rock n’ Roll vs the Police” has since had more than 1100 signatures.

Mr Caruso was arrested on June 13 this year. Picture: Facebook

During the musician’s (right) arrest, his brother Antonio Caruso, who is a MMA fighter, allegedly handed officers non-consent forms as well as notices of liability.

According to Mr Caruso, police occasionally visited his shows and claimed officers had “praised” his talent and fan base that support the musician every week.

He described the arrest as “unlawful”.

After being released, Mr Caruso took to the driveway the following Sunday, where another video showed police again attended the house and handed him a document which he threw into the bin.

“This is where their handwritten laws belong,” he said.

“See ya later. Get off the property now.

“Next time you come, maybe buy a CD or grab an autograph.”

Mr Caruso’s arrest was filmed and posted online. Picture: Facebook via NCA NewsWire

Mr Caruso, who dubbed himself the “Rock‘n’Roll rebel”, began playing guitar at the age of eight and told NCA NewsWire that he started performing for the community about a year ago.

He said his music made the community “happy”, attracted dozens of people and his neighbours were supportive with his performances.

“When I play my music there is only friendly faces and happy people in the crowd and these guys (police) are bringing guns to my shows and I feel unsafe for the people there,” Mr Caruso said.

“I don't agree with the order and they (police) weren’t willing to negotiate, amend or nothing.

“It was like being Luke Skywalker and people from the Death Star told me I wouldn't play my guitar anymore. That’s not right. That goes against my freedoms.”

The former porn actor said he performed every week because he wanted to give back to the community.

“It’s a good way to give back in this crazy, bizarre way.

“I love producing music and I thought this was a project that hasn’t been seen or heard of before.

“If people think playing guitar and singing is a crime, then pish-posh. Get bent.”

Sav Caruso, 32, was arrested last month after he allegedly failed to comply with an Environmental Protection Order. Picture: Facebook

SA Police confirmed to NCA NewsWire the Salisbury Downs man was arrested on that date because he allegedly failed to comply with the environment protection order.

“He did not apply for bail and appeared in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, June 15,” SA Police said in a brief statement.

Mr Caruso is on bail and is due to reappear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Tuesday.