Calling Thin Lizzy fans the boys are back in town. Well, not exactly, but tribute act Limehouse Lizzy will be rocking Burnley on May 13. We spoke to Bolton-born frontman Wayne Ellis.

NOBODY likes a tribute band that's got too big for its boots.

And thankfully, after 13 years of playing the hits to sell-out crowds, Limehouse Lizzy still have their feet firmly on the ground.

"The fact that people still bother to come and see us astounds and delights us," said Wayne Ellis, bassist and lead singer.

"We appreciate it so much and we'd never get above ourselves."

And they like Burnley Mechanics so much, they've chosen to record the gig for a live DVD to show overseas tour promoters what they can do.

Amazingly the band Wayne, Andy Fox (drums, vocals), Greg Alcock (lead guitar, vocals) and Greg Hart (lead guitar, vocals) like nothing better than relaxing to a bit of Thin Lizzy in their spare time.

"We can't get enough of it," said Wayne.

"When we're all together we stick Thin Lizzy on and we look at each other like Are we all mad'?

"They're such great songs, though. You listen as a player to see if you can improve your performance, but we'll always be fans first and a tribute band second.

"If I'm in a shopping mall and The Boys Are Back In Town comes on, I just stop dead in my tracks like I've never heard it before and I get that knot in my stomach."

The name Limehouse Lizzy came from where the band began in the Limehouse area of East London in 1990, where Wayne lived at the time.

"I think it's a rotten name. I hate it," admitted Wayne. "It sounds like some old slapper Limehouse Lizzy!"

After more than a decade of belting out the hits to Lizzy fans, Wayne says his proudest achievement has to be the very fact that the band are still going.

"Gigs are gigs some are more special than others," he said.

"That we've managed to keep going for 13 years is some achievement.

"We're still here and we're bigger and badder than ever.

"The exciting thing is we still see a future for ourselves."

Perhaps the secret to their popularity lies in the fact they know how to put on a good show.

"Some people probably see us on stage and say what an arrogant bunch but it's escapism isn't it?

"It's rock n' roll. I don't want to see someone on stage whose style could be off the street.

"I want the whole experience, with the visual aspect as well."

But once the instruments have been laid down, the band don't believe in acting the stars.

"You have to remember at gigs they're not our fans.

"They're Thin Lizzy fans and they don't come to see Limehouse Lizzy.

"They come to see Wayne, Andy and the two Gregs. We're all fans in it together.

"We think it's important to shake a few hands afterwards."

Limehouse Lizzy, Burnley Mechanics, Saturday, May 13. For tickets call 01282 664400