Thomaston — The Royal Hammer will perform Friday, Feb. 8, at 8:30 p.m. at Billy's Tavern, on the corner of Beechwood and Starr streets behind the business block. Featuring four musicians from Rustic Overtones, The Royal Hammer is Maine's premier reggae band, come to the Midcoast to warm up the Toboggan Championships weekend.

The Royal Hammer is a seven-piece roots reggae group based in Portland. Heavily influenced by Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, and Roots Radics, The Royal Hammer takes pride in the authenticity of its sound. Michael Taylor (The Awesome, Rustic Overtones) is backed-up by a heavy rhythm section including Gary Gemetti (Rustic Overtones) on drums, Tyler Quist (Jaw Gems) on keyboards and bass player Stu Mahan (Nat Osbourne Band, London Souls); with Ryan Zoidis (Rustic Overtones, Soulive) and Lucas Desmond (Model Airplane) on saxes and Dave Noyes (Rustic Overtones, The Plains) on trombone.

The Royal Hammer's grooves are deep and infectious. The Royal Hammer has shared the stage with reggae legends Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Barrington Levy and has backed up international reggae artists Marty Dread and Glen DaCosta. The band recently released its debut album, “My Bubble.”

Billy's kitchen will close at 7 p.m. and all tables will be removed before the band starts to make space for dancing. Cover charge will be $7. For more information, call 354-1177 or visit Billy's Tavern on Facebook.

Courier Publications’ A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest can be reached at (207) 594-4401, ext. 115 or dernest@courierpublicationsllc.com.