Sgt Pepper's gig is certainly a Threetles thrill...

BEATLES tribute band . . . The Threetles

A TRULY special night of musical nostalgia is in prospect on Thursday, June 1, when brilliant locally-based tribute band The Threetles will perform the complete "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album live.

The Beatles' classic studio album, their eighth, was released on June 1, 1967, so The Threetles ­- bass/vocalist Paul Brierley, rhythm guitarist Thomas Jones, lead guitarist Andy Housley, drummer Simon McGoran and keys man Andy Preston ­- will celebrate a cherished 50th anniversary of that date in what promises to be quite amazing style.

Frontman Brierley can't wait for the show at the 350-capacity George Lawton Hall in Mossley, but it was one which has been on the cards.

He said: "We always planned to do the album.

"Historically we've done the other albums. Last year we did 'Revolver' and the year before we did 'Rubber Soul'.

"It does take a while rehearsing them because we do pride ourselves on getting it right.

"It's the most important album ever. The production values alone are huge.

"I've played Beatles songs all my life, and you can busk through them if you wish.

Record

"But what we try and do is try and get right into the nitty gritty of how the albums are recorded and the instruments that were used.

"We want to get the right harmonies, the right notes and everything, so we get as close to the Beatles as possible.

"When you start to do that you do realise exactly how involved it all is.

"It's not so much complicated, but the amount of creativity behind the album is incredible."

The audience on the night is set to be treated to a completely authentic performance, which looks likely to include many pleasant surprises.

"We'll be going right through the album ­- in order," added Brierley.

"I'll introduce the effects too, like the crowd noises at the beginning of Sergeant Pepper and the animal sounds on 'Good Morning, Good Morning'.

"They'll all be there.

Track
"We have to use a track to do that of course, because we can't bring chickens onto the stage for example.

"But everything will be played live ­- even 'Within you, Without you', which is an Indian tune."

The Threetles met five years ago when just Brierley, Jones and Housley (hence the 'Three' in the name) jammed out a number of Beatles tunes at a pub in Delph.

Now there's the five members in the band, but gigs are relatively scarce.

After June 1, the next Threetles show planned is in mid-July at the Playhouse 2 in Shaw.

Brierley said: "We don't do a lot of gigs, but they are quite popular when we do ­- there's usually three or four hundred turn out.

"It's a great vehicle to raise money like this (the Tameside-based 'We Shall Overcome' homeless charity is set to benefit to the tune of well over £1,000 on June 1).

"It's fab. We probably do about six gigs a year, but we do prepare for all of those really intensely.

"It's a bit nervy on gig nights, but it's also very rewarding. Even a certain passage or a little harmony might give us a real thrill."

Tickets for the George Lawton Hall are now on sale ­- priced at just a fiver. They will sell out.

Local DJ Leon Anthony will also feature on the night, while Brierley concluded by revealing that the Threetles are already planning to recreate the Magical Mystery Tour album next year, and then the subsequent White album and Abbey Road. Ticket links are on the Threetles' Facebook page.