By Julie Morgan

Last updated 16:05, Wednesday, 08 October 2008

WHEN Phil Lynott penned the Boys Are Back in Town it would be impossible for him to realise how the song would resonate through the decades.

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HARD ROCKIN: Lead guitarist Greg Alcock blasts out his solo

Two days after seeing Limehouse Lizzy blast out the anthem at the Civic Hall, its title was used in a The Observer headline to describe the return of Peter Mandelson!

Lynott, who died in 1986, is one of the most under-rated British song-writers. Part rebel, part poet, his music is a gift to the tribute band who can pack their two-hour set with some of the best rock songs ever written.

Speaking after the show, lead singer, Wayne Ellis, and guitarist, Greg Alcock, told The Whitehaven News that they had visited Lynott’s home and discovered his influences included Stevie Wonder and Elvis.

With their on-stage charisma and cracking back catalogue, it isn’t difficult to see why Limehouse Lizzy are one of the country’s best tribute bands.

And it was their dedication to the spirit of Thin Lizzy which resulted in their appearance on BBC’s Arena programme which followed Limehouse and other top tributes across the country.

Wayne said: “You couldn’t buy that sort of publicity. People sent us lovely emails after the programme and the knock-on effect was that our gigs began swelling.’’

The group tours constantly and have performed in West Cumbria several times. Greg said: “The crowds are also fantastic, they never let us down. They always get behind you.’’

Limehouse are also due to play the Virgin Atlantic Music Festival in Barbados, representing Celtic rock, and will also be travelling to Brazil. They also played Rhodes Rock in Greece during the summer.

While these festivals offer the band a chance to play in front of huge crowds, Wayne admits it is also great to play more intimate gigs and “see the audience’s faces.’’

With a repertorie of over 60 songs, the band plays all the fans’ favourite mixed with album tracks and a connection with their audience and fans is very important to the band. Greg said: “We are aware of the credit crunch so we always like to give good value.’’

And they do. House prices may be plummeting, savings dwindling, the world going to economic hell in a hand-cart but it was impossible not to be uplifted by Limehouse Lizzy’s live performance.

From the opener Are You Ready through to Rosalie, Out In The Fields, the legendary Boys are Back in Town and Jailbreak, ending with Whisky In A Jar – it was a cracking night.