THERE was an interesting debate on Facebook the other day regarding the balance between original and non-original bands in town.

Between all of the threads full of ill-informed political infighting and pictures of cats falling off things, the old battle lines were drawn again and it seems as if many people think that there is some sort of conspiracy designed to hold back the original scene, which of course is nonsense.

It’s all about market forces, venues and pubs are businesses and they exist by selling drinks, the more the better, so it obviously makes more sense to book bands with a known draw than some unknown Tibetan infused dream-pop band from Newport Pagnall. It’s as simple as that.

If you want to see more original music, bigger names playing more convenient nights of the week, then you first have to prove that it can compete, and you do this by supporting the smaller shows which are already happening. Do that, and apart from the two usual venues championing original music, other venues will see the profit in it and there will be more on offer. It’s as simple as that.

And buy a CD on the way out too... even musicians need to eat.

And one of those venues championing original not to mention unusual bands, The Beehive, hosts the return of Maltese experimental outfit, The Ranch, who are back in town to blend squalling rock, psychedelic meanderings, and jazz meanderings for a set filled with dynamics, energy and improvisation. They are reunited with their spiritual brothers Sex Jazz at The Beehive. It will seem as if Zappa never left us. Those mercurial Maltesers can also be found at Darkroom Espresso on Friday.

More very original music, this time taking a desert blues, raw psychedelia and warped alt-rock route can be found at The Victoria on Friday with the launch of the most excellent Rewire The Time Machine’s debut album. Support comes from gnarly math rockers and intriguingly named Let’s Swim, Get Swimming.

The Red Hot Trio will be proving that while delving into the sound of the past, rockabilly can also be fresh and modern, they bring retro sounds with a contemporary feel to The Victoria and are the perfect band to groove the night away to. At The Groves Company Inn, Blink Daze will be paying tribute to pop-punks past and Reloaded at The bakers Arms cover all styles and eras.

Saturday, as is its wont, offers exclusively pre-loved music and classic sounds. The highly recommended W.A.M, better known as When Alcohol Matters to their friends, will be laying out a stall of punk and ska tunes at The Woodlands Edge, so expect a boisterous show, some colourful language and a non-stop riotous party vibe whilst old-school metal covers come courtesy of Rorke’s Drift at The Swiss Chalet

Rock and Indie are on the cards at The Queen’s Tap with Evolution whilst The Shadow Monkeys add pop and funk into a similar mix at The Messenger.

The Victoria’s Guitar Legends Showcase presents the greatest guitar songs from the 50s to the present day and Syntronix is all about 80s synth-pop at The Grove’s Company Inn - everything from the obvious and iconic such as Depeche Mode and Ultravox but, proving that they know their musical onions, you may be treated to more underground musical gems from the likes of Kraftwerk and Visage.

Elsewhere it’s Sister Sister at The New Inn, People Like Us playing stripped back acoustic gems at The Tawny Owl and party tunes all the way with Bandantree at The Manor.

And going out the way we came in, offering something wild, different and wholly original, Sunday is anything but the day of rest as punk and roll mutants Dirt Box Disco descend on The Victoria, a rare band who appeal to the old school punks but also shatter the glass ceiling as maintained by the genres old guard.

Undisciplined rabble rousers, invigorating, mad and coming on like a punk rock circus, this is a band not to be missed. Support comes from local legends Charred Hearts who’s mid-paced and classy tunes should need no introduction. So I won't.