The boys are, literally, back in town

Scott Gorham, John Sykes and Darren Wharton have reunited under the Thin Lizzy banner for an extensive U.S. tour.

Having already worked its way through California, Nevada and Texas, the trek now takes in Northern Lights, Clifton Park, NY (October 24); Lamours, Brooklyn (25); Chance Theater, Poughkeepsie, NY (26); Stone Pony, NJ (27); Crocodile Rock, Allentown, PA (30); Jaxx, VA (November 1); Mulcahy's, Wantagh, NY (2); and Webster Theater, Hartford, CT (3).

The 2002 line-up is completed by veteran hard rockers Tommy Aldridge and Marc Mendoza.

Asked about Lizzy reconvening after all these years, Gorham says: "Three weeks before Phil died, he and I talked about starting to write songs and putting the band back together. I'm kind of here fulfilling that promise to my old friend. The people are right behind us and we're just having a great time."

While some diehards are understandably queasy about a Lynott-less Lizzy, reviews have so far been positive with Sykes, in particular, praised for his vocal efforts.

According to U.S. management, Gorham and him are penning material for a new Thin Lizzy album, which will surface in mid-to-late 2003.