24Seven: John, Paul, George, Ringo . . . and Phil!; Peter Grant meets the Beatles tribute band who'll mix Pops with classics.

Byline: Peter Grant

IT'S going to be quite a homecoming for four lads from Liverpool when they play the Summer Pops - with strings attached. Not just any old strings, but those classical types from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under the guidance of conductor John Wilson.

It's billed as `An evening with The Beatles' fused with the epic majesty of the RLPO.

The Backbeat Beatles emerged from the bio-pic film of the same name eight years ago, but since that big-screen appearance detailing the lives of The Beatles early days in Hamburg - and many line-up changes since - this latest Fab Four are certainly singing from different songsheets.

They have two musical lives: first as one of the UK's top Beatle tribute bands and the other as accomplished musicians in their own right as the rock band Water.

But first, let's go back in time . . . The film The Backbeat Beatles featured actor musician Chris O'Neill, who now dons the moptop wig as Paul.

But he also does a mean John Lennon too as does fellow Backbeater Paul McDonough who can also do some Lennon-McCartney cross overs.

They weren't aware of it at the time, but the two had met before at an audition for a John Lennon film which was later ditched.

Out of the ashes, however, came the birth of the Backbeat Beatles film. Since then. the reputation of the band has grown and grown and, just like The Beatles, they have become musically tighter and polished as a unit.

The latest incarnation includes Gary Harmon as George and Dave Reilly as Ringo.

This group of impersonators are currently on tour across the UK with their slick presentation of the music and stage antics of John, Paul, George and Ringo through the ages and costume changes from Hamburg to the final Apple rooftop performance.

Says Paul: ``It's great that we can also unwind as another band. It clears our heads and besides The Beatles material is all there for posterity - you can't do new stuff ... there isn't any.''

Paul joined two years ago and says the band are happy with rockers and the ballads - the latter being the focus of their Big Top show on July 10.

Like the other three Backbeats and Water-men he is in his mid-30s.

Chris adds: ``As The Backbeat Beatles we don't release records because The Beatles did it all themselves you can't add to that or improve on them.

``On stage we try and recreate them as faithfully as possible.

``As the group Water we write and release our own material. It allows us to be more liquid.''

Not surprisingly, their polished debut album Rainmaker features a collection of songs that would not sound out of place on any Beatle album - but that's where any similarity ends.

Now the individual members are in a double edged position - they can go on tour as The Backbeats and even support themselves as Water.

They are planning such an unusual gig in Liverpool in August at the Summer Pops.

Their own album is picking up wide interest especially on the Internet and is selling `by the `bucket-load'.

But back to the Backbeats who say they especially enjoy recreating the Fabs stage witty one-liners and patter which recreates that unique chemistry which occurred on stage between the Beatles.

Says Paul: ``When we played the Liverpool Empire it was different from our other gigs.

``The Beatle dialogue goes down well, say, in Swindon not only on stage but in media interviews but in Liverpool you are HOME - it's our our home town and The Beatles home town. So you have to work at it.

``We were aware that it didn't go down as well as we wanted last time but that's because of the importance of it all.''

They say the Summer Pops show will be an `intense' night due to nerves with family and friends in the tent audience again. The lads are clearly full of Lennon-esque puns, Says Chris: ``We are currently finalising the line-up of the Beatle classics which should appeal to all tastes from Yesterday to Eleanor Rigby.

``The Beatles were at home with fleshing out songs with strings. They were probably the first group to do it and inspire others,'' says Paul, who is no stranger to tribute bands having been in the popular Cavern Beatles band.

It is, they say in unison, another sign that the Backbeat Beatles have made great leaps ahead in their career.

Playing the Summer Pops gig in the same pop package as Sir Elton, Paul Simon and Van Morrison is a great accolade.

And who knows, one day Water could be also up there as themselves.

Says Chris: ``All the members of the band have great affection for each other - just like The Beatles and it shows on stage and in the studio.''

``We've always been songwriters and musicians with a good track record.

``We love doing The Beatles but we also like working on our own original music which keeps our heads together and clear and we can be creative.

``We have the best of both worlds.''

CAPTION(S):

AND THIS IS US: Dave, Chris, Paul and Gary; ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES: The Backbeat Beatles Gary Harmon (George), Chris O'Neill (Paul), Dave Reilly (Ringo) and Paul McDonough (John)