Takin' a Lickin'

How could metal monster Glenn Danzig draw 2300 fans to Soma in March but bring in only 895 to the same venue in November? In March, opening band Lamb of God attracted fans; and Doyle, a former Misfit member with Danzig, wasn't playing guitar in November. Soma owner Len Paul says there were other reasons for the lower attendance.

"In my opinion [the loss of $15,000 in projected revenue] was because the market was flooded with concerts." According to Paul, agents route a disproportionate number of tours during the last three months of the year; promoters must buy the acts to remain competitive.

"Some of these tours could just as well come through in January or February, but the agents don't care."

Paul says well-attended radio station--sponsored shows "suck the air" out of the market, making it so concertgoers are less likely to spend money on other shows. Recent sold-out events include 91X's AFI/My Chemical Romance show at ipayOne Center and the 94/9-sponsored Modest Mouse concert at UCSD's RIMAC.

"In the old Soma days ['80s], you'd be lucky to get two or three big shows a month. Now you get two or three big shows a week."

Insiders say promoters lost money on the following concerts this year: the Brad Paisley and Cult/Dashboard Confessional shows at Coors Amphitheatre; Chris Cagle at ipayOne Center; and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who were to appear at UCSD's RIMAC but were moved to Soma due to weak ticket sales.