By Chris Campanelli (April 12, 2003)

Britain's most popular Beatles cover band, The Bootleg Beatles, brought the band back to life Tuesday night at the State Theater. The band played three sets, each with new outfits and a new silk screen backdrop. In a few short hours, these four imposters showed the transformation of "four mop top kids from Liverpool" to a psychedelic experiment, and alter to the relaxed masters of music they became.

Formed in England in 1979 out of the "Beatlemania" craze, the Bootleg Beatles have played worldwide, including in the former Soviet Union, Asia, the Middle East, America and Europe. The band has also performed alongside a variety of accomplished artists such as Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi, David Bowie, The Corrs, Iggy Pop, and have played at the Queen's Jubilee. In the 1990's the Bootleg Beatles decided to follow 10 of the Beatles' tour dates from 1965. It was then that they got their start touring the US.

Although still jet-lagged from the flight from London, the band put on a show emulating the Beatles to the note. As the band chugged down cups of coffee to stay awake, as the Beatles must have done many times (I not with coffee, than with other substances), the band slowly came alive and took on the roles of each Beatles number. Not only did the Bootlegs sound like the Beatles, but they also looked like them.

The Bootlegs started off with "And I Saw Her Standing There" and "I Fell Fine" and continued to play "All You Need is Love," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "With a Little Help from My Friends" and many more Beatles' favorites.

The State Theater stop was the first day on their 2003 tour. The Bootleg Beatles will continue touring on the east coast before returning to the U.K. If you get a chance to see them, take advantage.