Tribute bands have their work cut out if they want to be like the biggest band in the world. But Us4, wh play Oswaldtwistle on September 29, have pulled it off by bringing some of U2's biggest hits to life.

Scott Johnson, the band's bass player, said: "The whole thing really started by accident.

"We were in a covers band and the lead singer at the time looked a bit like Bono and sounded a bit like him and people kept asking us to do U2 songs.

"We thought we'd give it a bash and the tribute band took over from the covers band."

They then found themselves in need of a new lead singer and were lucky enough to have a friend recommend Andy Fitzgerald.

"He looks, sounds and acts like Bono," said Scott.

"The bookings just took off and we've been travelling around the world ever since.

"We weren't mega U2 fans when we started but the more we've done it the more we've got into the music.

"As soon as a new DVD comes out we watch it avidly as they're one of those bands you never know what they will do next."

A Us4 set covers the whole range of U2 material from earlier songs such as Sunday Bloody Sunday and the Joshua Tree album through to Vertigo.

"We do change the set a little bit each time we play but it is a different set every tour.

"We try and base it a little on the last tour U2 themselves have done."

Although very much a tribute band in one sense, Scott is very quick to point out that a Us4 show is a genuine musical experience.

"We are a rock band, a real band playing live music and we will never lose that energy.

"We do play everything live and try to get as close to a U2 gig as you can.

"We have had people come up to us who have said they could not get tickets for U2 or could not afford them and hopefully they can go away having had a glimpse of what a U2 show is like but in a more intimate environment than an arena-type venue."

Us4 have been in demand at major festivals around Europe and in the next few weeks will be playing in Germany and Portugal.

"We've been doing this for six years now," said Scott.

"When we come to Oswaldtwistle we will do around a two hour show and hopefully all the obvious favourites will be in the set plus a few more obsucre ones for the real diehard U2 fans."

Us4 play Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on Friday, September 29. Tickets are £8 available from 01254 380293.