You cannot describe The Counterfeit Stones as a tribute band, as their whole act is a send-up rather than a homage to the Rolling Stones.

Rock panto is probably a better way of thinking of this kind of act. It's Spinal Tap attempts to visit, rather than meets, Stella Street.

They jolly you along with humour that would grace any Russ Abbot Show, but without the wicked subtlety of Stella Street. One gag about Mars Bars, is acceptable but more than that has far too many calories to be good for you.

Where they are faithful to the Stones legacy, however, is in the music itself. No forged notes in that department, here they are the real McCoy.

Each band member is a very accomplished musician, and while they do love to ham it up, it is clear that hours have been spent studying every move of Mick and the boys, to build this all-singing all-dancing caricature.

However you have to ask just how healthy is it to adopt every idiosyncrasy and nervous jitter of Keith Richards for the sake of your art?

As the format of the show took you through the many decades of the Stones' music it confirmed just how much they had purloined from the likes of Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and even Bo Didley, especially in the early years.

More all mouth and trousers saw them through, rather than the original creativity that was abundant from that other 1960s group, from Liverpool, that did rather well.

The Stones were and are a good band, but their image became far bigger than their talent.

A modern analogy would be that they are the Beckham of music. On reflection that is probably too unkind... the Stones can kick with both feet.

Even the audience at the Grand Opera House didn't quite know what to expect of the Counterfeit Stones though.

The first half of the show was as if they had come to witness the correct procedures for embalming aging rock stars and were studiously reserved.

The interval gave them the opportunity to try a drop of the secret elixir, and once imbibed, any first date nerves disappeared, and both band and audience decided to do away with the niceties and get on with the party. Satisfaction all round.

Updated: 11:09 Friday, May 21, 2004