THE life of probably the world's greatest band was immaculately recreated with an incredible act which was as much a lesson in history as a faithful, musically tight tribute.

Frontman Nick Dagger had the voice, the strut, and, most crucial of all, the pucker and Keef raised ecstatic screams from the numerous females in a sold-out auditorium with every vague gesture of his ever-present cigarette.

Tribute bands may be, at heart, riding on other people's talent but the Counterfeit Stones were a study in bringing the raw electricity of a Stones gig to a crowd never lucky enough to experience it - and not a Matthew Kelly in sight!

The Keep Off The Grass Tour is a biography of the band from their first hit, Come On, through the ages, and outfits.

The costume changes were covered by forgettable clips of the band's most famous moments but it served only to heighten anticipation for the boys to get back on stage and do their stuff.

Curiously, the numerous Stones compilations and Greatest Hits albums released have never captured all their classic hits but the Counterfeit Stones did just that with a string of favourites like Satisfaction, Brown Sugar, Paint it Black, Little Red Rooster, Sympathy for the Devil and Ruby Tuesday.

As the hits rolled on, the notebook was discarded immediately after the interval in favour of a strut down the front and by the end a significant crowd of devotees, including a bevy of Honkey Tonk Women, were paying homage and braying for more. The gig of the year.

MH