"THEY do a better Jumpin Jack Flash than the original" is how NME described the Counterfeit Stones, whose show rolls into Bolton next month.

And surprisingly this show is a gesture of selflessness by the band, following the Rolling Stones cancellation of their British tour dates last year for tax reasons. The will play at Rivington Hall on Friday, March 19.

According to the band's manager, Steve Elson, the Stones "selfish act caused unbelievable distress and sadness to their legions of fans."

And as a result Nick Dagger, lead singer with the Counterfeit Stones, immediately cancelled a planned Tibetan Chant excursion, and mounted a Counterfeit Stones tour instead.

Steve goes on: "This selfless act has eased the pain of all those disappointed fans."

The band were formed just over seven years ago after a request for a British rock 'n' roll band to play at the Del mar Grand Prix in San Diego. This useful tip off meant that Nick, Keef, Byron Bill and Charlie (all of whom were studying full-time at the west London rock institute), could now put their skills to the test. There was only one choice of music. The Gospel according to the Rolling Stones.

The Grand Prix gig was a huge success and while languishing in their glory in the Hilton Jacuzzi, a plan for world domination was hatched. On their return to England, they immediately set about acquiring an authentic wardrobe of clothes to cover the looks of 1963 to 1976. Instruments to match those years were sought out and purchased.

Singles and album tracks were endlessly studied for their finest musical detail and nuance. What seemed like a life sentence of sweaty and intense rehearsals began. The result "probably the second best rock 'n' roll band in the world" was born. The most convincing forgery of a piece of rock art.

Agents slavered and dribbled. Audiences went potty. From the top of a mountain in St Moritz, playing for the exclusive pleasure of people like Ivana Trump and Princess Caroline of Monaco to 30,000 bikers at an open air festival, the result was, and still is, FRAUDMANIA!

And the show rolls into Bolton on Friday, March 19. The venue - Rivington Hall, Rivington. And the show - a stunning, colourful set. No new material, just the classic songs covering 1963 to 1972.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.