Steve Murray was more than happy to adopt the stage persona of Meat Loaf for many years on the road, even taking on the surname of Meat Loaf 's songwriting buddy, Jim Steinman.

Murray/Steinman has since spread his wings, creating the kitsch rock musical Vampires Rock, a gaudy blast of an excuse to thrash out Meat Loaf, Rainbow, Whitesnake and Guns N' Roses hits in a blood-sucking tale set among the undead in New York 2030 AD.

The show returns to the Grand Opera House on Thursday.

"We're doing about 40 dates this time, " says Steve.

"It's in its fourth year now and it's changed so much. It's grown and grown. We have Eddie Ojeda, the guitar player from Twisted Sister with us now, and we're even taking the show to Vegas soon for a showcase at the Hilton."

Steve is tongue in cheek in his performances but serious about his work.

"It's got to be a quality production, but I'm not trying to be Andrew Lloyd Webber. I don't call it a musical, I call it a musical concert. When I went to musicals I always wanted to hear less of the chit-chat, more of the music and just a bit of comedy, " he says.

"You've got to have some comedy but as long you get the music right - and our band is right - then you can do everything between and they'll let you get away with it. The music must be primal.

"I just want people to rock their heads off and have a giggle."

Vampires Rock, Grand Opera House, York, Thursday, 7.30pm. Box office: 0870 606 3595.