The Beatles are making their second invasion of America, it would seem. A six-compact disc anthology set is being released, and the television network ABC has been going by the title “A-Beatles-C,” which has coincided with their broadcast of the video anthology. And to top it all off, the “Fab Four” are playing tomorrow night in Des Moines.

If you didn’t know better, you might think it was 1964. That is the whole idea behind the band “1964: The Tribute,” who have been heralded as the best Beatles show in the world. They are the aforementioned “Fab Four” who will be playing at the Civic Center in Des Moines Thursday at 8 p.m.

Mark Benson, who portrays John Lennon, describes the lengths his band has gone to accurately depict the Beatles. “The sound coming off the stage is exactly how it sounded when the Beatles played,” Benson said. This is due to the acquisition of the same equipment the lads from Liverpool used.

“We’ve got the Vox amplifiers, the Rickenbacker guitars, the Hoffner bass,” Benson said. “They weren’t too hard to find, as the companies that made the instruments have released reissues of these models.”

But what is more convincing than the instruments is the appearance of these four men from Akron, Ohio. Gary Grimes, who plays Paul McCartney, has the same sleepy eyelids; Benson has perfected the bow-legged stance of John Lennon; James Pau is a perfect model of George Harrison, primarily in posture and stature; and Greg George is a dead-ringer for Ringo Starr, right down to his distinguishing nose.

A couple of the members had to go against their natural ways to achieve a perfect simulation. “Gary is right-handed, but he learned to play left-handed to match Paul McCartney’s playing style,” Benson said.

Benson also noted that George had to adjust to match Ringo’s style. “Greg is left-handed, as Ringo Starr is; however, Ringo used a right-handed drum kit. Greg had to adjust to that.” Benson also made a special note about Ringo’s method of playing.

“Ringo would play his drum fills in the opposite rotation as other drummers, due to his weaker-hand kit. Drummers would be asked to ‘Play like Ringo!’ and couldn’t get the fills right, since their kits were set up to their strengths.

“Our entire rhythm section was playing against their strength. For the first six months, nobody was dancing!” Benson joked.

“1964” started 12 years ago in Akron. “We all grew up listening to the Beatles; we thought this would be a way to do something besides Top-40 music,” Benson said. “We picked a group we enjoyed, and one with cross-generational appeal.”

The duration and success of this band has surpassed Benson’s expectations. “We thought we’d play oldies clubs and class reunions,” Benson said, “but we entered our 12th year of touring last September. It goes to show the longevity of the Beatles.”

The term “cross-generational” hits the nail right on the head. “The young people that grew up without the hysteria of the Beatles still enjoy the music,” Benson said. “It’s all positive music, very catchy. You’ll hum the songs after hearing them once or twice.”

Benson also commented on how many parents and children come to their show. “This is a great family show; there are so few shows with that kind of appeal. For some, it’s the first time that children see their mom or dad singing. It’s good, clean fun and good entertainment for your dollar.”

The Beatles toured to support their songs from 1962 to 1966, but stopped once the music they were creating became too complex to accurately recreate on stage. In “1964’s” live show, they also stick to the songs released before 1966. However, a project is in the works for the Beatles’ later music.

Benson said this project will be offered to different symphonies, and it is one of the main reasons that keeps the band going after all this time. As it happens, “1964” has been touring three times as long as the Beatles did in their career.

“I feel renewed energy with the symphonic project, but we have other things going for us that the Beatles didn’t,” Benson said. “For one thing, we can be heard—they couldn’t. They either had strings breaking, amps blowing up or the constant screaming from the crowd.

“Ringo had to stick strictly to his snare and bass drum, because any other part of the kit was inaudible to the other members. Plus, they had to wonder if they were idols or freaks.” Benson summed up the appeal of the Beatles by saying: “Even if you’re sitting in a Holiday Inn, and the lounge act starts singing a Beatles song, people will stop talking and listen to the music. What other group is there with that much appeal?”

Tickets for the show are $18.75; showtime is 8 p.m.