Abbey Road LIVE!

Athens band Abbey Road LIVE! is not the typical look-alike cover band.

The quartet, performing tonight at the Georgia Theater, will not don vintage threads or sport the characteristic mop-top haircuts of the Beatles.

"The typical Beatles tribute band will come out on stage with suits and wigs and vintage instruments resembling those the Beatles used," said Michael Wegner, guitarist/keyboardist.

"They are more likely to play only the better-known stuff, like 'I Want to Hold Your Hand'".

Conversely, Abbey Road LIVE! focuses on the Beatles' later material, known as the "studio years", Wegner said.

Most Beatles music released between 1967 and 1970 was never performed live because the group stopped touring in 1966, and this is the material that most intrigues the band.

When performing with Abbey Road LIVE!, Wegner said he likes to imagine what a Beatles show in 1969 might have sounded like.

He doesn't think the band would have played all of its songs exactly like the studio versions during a live performance.

"We take a few liberties with some of the songs," Wegner said, "maybe stretching them out a little or interpreting them."

Fans of the Beatles well-known, feel-good pop songs, however, should not be discouraged.

Wegner said the band likes to throw in early material at the end of the show.

All members of Abbey Road LIVE! are also members of other bands.

"The Abbey Road LIVE! idea grew out of a huge love for the Beatles," Wegner said.

Abbey Road LIVE! sprung to life after the band The Fuzzy Sprouts, of which Wegner, guitarist Tim Conley and bassist Dave Domizi are members, performed Beatles songs album at a show.

The guys now have a repertoire of nearly 100 Beatles tunes, Wegner said.

"One of the most enjoyable things for me is watching how many people sing along to every word," Wegner said. "It's amazing to me that 40 years after this music came out and with all the changes pop music has gone through, the music of the Beatles is still so popular."