From its embarrassing 80s peak when poodle perms, Spandex and stadium gigs as parodied by Spinal Tap ruled, rock has come a long way, writes Metal Mickey.

Zig-zagging across the Atlantic mutating each and every time. Nu-rock, nu-metal and a hundred other variants all contribute to the biggest underground scene inthe UK. It even has its own equivalent of a boy-band in Slipknot attitude and appearance over ability comes to mind here.

The question is, will rock music (and all its offshoots) sustain itself this time around?

Here in Oxford there is an abundance of new rock bands such as Black Candy, Jor, Vade Mecum, Marconi's Voodoo, Caliber, Faith In Hate, Stoofa, Shouting Myke and Neverborn some being well established, others are more in the up 'n' coming category.

Of course, the more 'traditional' end of the rock spectrum is catered for locally too with Mindsurfer, High 'n' Mighty, Cobalt 60 and Suriki at the forefront round these parts. Which makes for a good infrastructure.

With the profusion of rock-inclined gigs on the local circuit, it all points towards a healthy local scene. But there's a problem.

Age restrictions at venues coupled with empire-building individuals who want to keep things underground and the time-honoured apathy of so-called rock fans who think nothing of spending a week's wages going to huge-name gigs, yet sneer at the local scene.

This coming weekend provides a perfect opportunity for rock aficionados of the 'nu' variety to support the local scene, with an abundance of 'buzz' acts visiting during the next few days.

Friday provides something of a unique chance for those who are under the age of 18 with two all-age affairs.

There's a full-on nu-rock triple-bill at The Bullingdon, with doors opening at 6pm. Local acts Shell Shock and the dark Goth-tinged Neverborn line-up alongside Welsh outfit Psychosquad, who have also just been confirmed as a support act for Motorhead. Quite an achievement for any new band even if Filthy Phil's son Todd does front the band. Although a touch of nepotism may have helped secure the Motorhead gigs, the band will still have to deliver, and Psychosquad certainly do that!

The Club That Cannot Be Named returns to The Wheatsheaf, Wheatsheaf Yard, off the High, on Friday night. Their all-age show features 4th Fingers, Reading's speed-punk outfit Glueball, and Medulla Nocte (who are still touring their album Dying From The Inside) bring their brand of frantic full-on punk-tinged metal back to Oxford. Silverback return to the local circuit with a headline slot at The Point, showcasing their funk-rock sound.

On Saturday night The Point has the promising all-girl rock outfit Caliber who hail from South Oxfordshire opening proceedings Oxford-based Apes, a Japanese outfit who's emphasis is on the punk end of the punk-rock equation, fill the middle slot while Black Moses make their Oxford debut with a headline slot.

On Monday there's a four-band nu-rock explosion at The Kooler at The Bullingdon, where Metal Hammer favourites Charger team up with Snowdogs, Vicious Circle and local boys Cobalt 60. Snowdogs consist of brothers Mat and Ville Leppanen and drummer Tanos. Their first single, Are You With Missy? was a Radio One 'rock record of the week' back in March.

They've also supported Less Than Jake, Blink 182 and At The Drive-In an impressive CV to say the least.

Vicious Circle are an energetic and explosive three-piece who hail from the south-west. As well as being the youngest act ever to play Midem Festival in Cannes as part of The Best Of British stage, they've just recorded their debut album which looks set to come out via Warner Brothers (US). Vicious Circle will be embarking on a world tour next year, in the meantime, their Oxford visit is one of a handful of selected warm-up shows.

This weekend's array of rock gigs could be the catalyst to put Oxford firmly on the rock map. It could also be the opposite.

The question is, do 'you' want to rock or sit at home and mock?