(2002-03-20) c

The economics of tribute bands : Paradise City will earn $1,100 for the Harrisonburg show. After their manager takes his 15 percent and they pay for gas and promotions, they will be left with $655, which - split between five people - ends up being $131 each. Obviously, this is almost nothing. But the operative word is ''almost.'' If the same five guys in Paradise City performed their own material, they would have to pay club owners for the chance to play; relatively speaking, $1,100 is good money. Also, these guys don't pay any money to Guns N' Roses. The dark underbelly of Intellectual Property.