Final fling

The Australian Doors could be in for a wild time during their last British tour

No end-of-term ball is safe from that ubiquitous entity, the tribute band. The Beatles, Abba and The Doors have all had the dubious honour of being resurrected on a nightly basis long after the real members have split up or even gone to their graves. But even tribute bands have to retire some day, and this autumn is your last chance to catch The Australian Doors on their final tour of British universities before they hang up their leather trousers for good.

"After seven years we've decided to call it a day," says 28-year-old lead singer Les. "I will miss it, but I'd hate to be flogging a dead horse."

He cheerfully agrees with the suggestion that there is something odd, even ghoulish, about the profusion of tribute bands. "Yes, I must admit there are times when I do feel uncomfortable about it. It's all a bit Spinal Tap really. I think this glut of tribute bands will pass, though.

"The reason they are so popular is that they are a cheap form of entertainment. People who don't have much money want to go out and have a ball without taking a risk with an unknown band."

Students audiences are among the most enthusiastic, says Les. "You tend to get a good crowd, up for a good time. It's general mayhem once everyone gets warmed up, just one huge sweaty mosh - especially among the new students who are getting really mashed and soaking up their freedom for the first time. You get quite a lot of unfeasible stagedives and you end up thinking, 'Ow that's going to hurt in the morning'."