MANCHESTER — The Racky Thomas Band perform at the Strange Brew Tavern in Manchester at 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30.

The band hails from Boston, but plays the blues in the spirit of musicians in the smoky bars of post-war Chicago and the Mississippi Delta. Their self-produced CDs, “Last Of The Big Spenders” and “Troubled All the Time,” each have enjoyed extensive airplay.

The Racky Thomas Band formed in 1995 and has been performing throughout the Northeast, steadily gaining a devoted following.

The band got a great boost in 1997 by winning Boston’s prestigious Battle of the Blues Bands. That earned them a trip to Memphis, Tenn., to compete in the International Blues Competition, where they made a strong showing and gained broader exposure.

Strange Brew Tavern is located at 88 Market St. in Manchester. For information call 666-4292 or visit www.strangebrewtavern.net.