The Comet Kahoutek appeared to Earthlings in 1973 and will do so again in about 75,000 more years. This is roughly the same frequency with which a "local band" headlines the venerable New Haven rock club called Toad's Place.

It's very cool, then, that Chester's Roadside Manner is the main act Saturday at the Toad.

The band is a bluesy, jammy, bluegrass-tinted quartet with roots further anchored in the work of the Allmans, the Band, Bob Marley and the Dead - which is to say, they've assimilated all sorts of greatness and simmered it down into their own sonic vision.

Having built up a regional following over the years, and with help from their "Back to Living" CD, Roadside Manor seemed destined for Toad's Place - and, presumably, beyond.

- RICK KOSTER

Roadside Manor, 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Toad's Place, 300 York St., New Haven; Poor Old Shine, Kingfisher, SayWHAT?! and Kanzu Kappelle appear in support; $8.50 advance, $10 day of show; (203) 624-8623, toadsplace.com.