In his song ‘Backstreets,’ Bruce Springsteen wrote “Endless juke joints and Valentino drag.” This lyric embodies the essence of the 20-year veteran tribute act, Tramps Like Us, who will be performing at the historic 432-seat Irvington Town Hall Theater on April 9.

Founder, singer and front man Mark Salore explained the idea to only perform this iconic music came by chance in the late 1980s from the owner of the now defunct Rock Roll Café in Greenwich Village. At the time, a slew of Beatles, Doors and Jimi Hendrix tribute bands were drawing big crowds. Salore’s band, comprised of Ardsley High School buddies, played a mish-mash of classic rock, including a few Springsteen tunes.

“He tried to get us to do a Springsteen tribute for a year but I fought him off for while because it was such a big undertaking,” The 40-something Salore recalled with a laugh. “Finally, I said ‘why not give it a shot?’”

One successful night quickly turned into a monthly gig, and the rest is history. Today, the band plays eight to 15 shows each month, both regionally and nationally. Over the years, the group has matured into what former Bruce Springsteen manager and producer Mike Appel said is “The greatest Bruce Springsteen tribute band in the land! I’ve witnessed them on several occasions and their performances are second to none.”

The band has experienced line up changes, including the somewhat recent addition of bass player Jon Sanborn, the son of legendary saxophonist David Sanborn.

“Jon has played, recorded and performed with Eric Clapton, Harry Connick Jr. and Donald Fagen,” said Salore. “He was the missing piece to the puzzle that is the band.”

With more than 100 songs in their repertoire, Salore said the band plays all the fan favorites but concentrates mostly on Springsteen’s first five albums. “Years ago we made set lists up but we realized that by the third or fourth song it was a waste…the set list is out the door because people are calling out requests.”

Promoter Ken Kristal of the White Plains-based Prive Events Ltd., said “Mark is a real professional. He has done a lot of work in advance for this show so it will be a success. The people at the Irvington Town Hall Theater have also been great to work with,” he continued. “Springsteen has a wide range of fans across all ages so this historic theatre setting will be a great venue to showcase his music.”

Tramps Like Us was recognized in 2006 when they were asked on the behest of former Senator Hillary Clinton and former Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano to perform Springsteen’s ‘The Rising’ at the dedication of the memorial erected at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla for the victims of 9/11.

“One thing that sticks out in my head about the whole show was trying to memorize the lyrics to that song,” Salore said. “Typically, I don’t read lyrics or have a teleprompter because for whatever reason his songs are imbedded in my head. But that song, I must have played it in my car a thousand times trying to memorize it. I ended up using a cheat sheet but the show was a great success and we were happy to have been a part of it.”

More at home in bars and clubs, including a recently sold out show at B.B. King’s in New York City, Tramps Like Us is notorious for playing long shows like The E Street Band, often exceeding three hours.

Musicians close to Bruce have taken notice. Drummer Vini Lopz, who played on Springsteen’s first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, has jammed with the Tramps. E Street Band guitarist Little Steven (Steven Van Zandt), who is also widely known for his role as Silvio Dante on The Sopranos, invited Salone and his band mates to a recent Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band concert at Madison Square Garden.

When asked if he ever met The Boss, Salore replied, “I’ve met everyone in the band a few times. Mike Appel told me that he has spoken to Bruce about us and has tried to have him come out to a show but it hasn’t happened yet. So while I have yet to meet him, he knows a lot about the band. Hopefully one day he’ll make an appearance.”

Tickets prices: $25; $20 and $15. For more information, call the Irvington Town Hall Theater: (914) 591-6602.