"We actually dress like the band," said Charles Alm, aka The Chedge. "We've perfected the set lists they play on tour and even their mannerisms. We got the movements down by watching video of the band.

"(We're) not quite the real thing, but darn close."

The Joshua Tree will perform at 9 p.m. Friday at Marlintini's Lounge, as part of a three-city Alaska tour. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

"It's going to be an incredible experience personally," Alm said of coming to Alaska. "We just had family come up on the tour boat, and we are excited to experience an Alaskan winter."

Marlintini's owner Ethan Billings booked the band on the strength of its appeal playing the tunes of one of the world's most-loved bands. "They seem to be very popular," he said. "They've done some Vegas shows, played some decent gigs like the House of Blues."

The group began in 2003 with a fundraiser for a radio station in Southern California. The band members all have day jobs and don't have any aspirations of trying to make their tribute band a full-time gig.

"All of us have said at one time of another if it felt like a job or work, we'd stop," Alm said. "I'd hate for it to get to the point where it wouldn't be exciting to play."

In three years of existence, the band has won over many fans who were skeptical at first.