So, we are heading towards that dark place again…office Christmas party season.

A time for that weird bloke in accounts to put on his matching Santa tie and socks to prove just how crazy he really is.

A time to make small talk for three hours with people you have nothing in common with, whilst sipping warm Lambrini from a paper cup.

A time to show just how into the spirit of it you are by performing the karaoke version of You Raise Me Up, complete with boy band style air pulls at the all important key change, as you try to impress the attractive yet unavailable girl from personnel …sorry, I mean human resources.

Humbug? Maybe, but you’ve all been there.

If you are looking for a Christmas party with a difference, those awfully nice chaps at Songs of Praise are celebrating at the Victoria tonight and all are welcome. The lusciously dark and heavy sounds of Mortdelamer head the night with the dulcet Johnny Cash-meets-Motorhead inspired tones of countrycore heroes Diablo 13 doing a party piece too.

Dead by Friday? kick things off.

The Rolleston is all a bit loud and shouty, not to mention divisible by five, with hard and heavy garage rock from Hotel 75 and dark alternative vibes of Terra 45.

Probably as far away from that musically is Bill Smarme, international entertainer, love guru, connoisseur of fine wines and building contractor, giving the Beehive some old school r’n’b grooving.

Friday at Riffs Bar is all about young and up-and-coming bands, with Formula 51, I Am Bodhi and Plastic Fiction showing us that the musical future of the town is in safe hands.

If I had to pick just one show to check out this week, it is the Roots Road Show up at the Victoria.

After a number of solo gigs, the ubiquitous Mr Blair is back entrenched in his wonderful band Hiproute, who fill the headline slot, and roots surf hippies Willie and the Bandits, the band who for me stole this year’s Summer Breeze Festival, are there to back them up.

Cardiff-based acoustic fusion six piece Whistling Biscuits also feature and minimalist duo Kicaberry open. This is an amazing line up; take my word, no questions, just do it.

In a similar vein, The Rolleston has gorgeous folk tunes from The Sodburys and the exotic country and eastern sounds of Devolution. The 12 Bar is all about rock classic covers with Shepherds Pie. What will they think of next?

Saturday is slim pickings - that’s not a country act but a statement of fact, unless you are one of those tribute band groupies, in which case you might like to revel in Oasis and Stereophonic wannabes at the 12 Bar.

The one ray of winter sunshine comes in the form of honey-voiced Thea Gilmore’s acoustic balladry and literate rock songs at the Arts Centre. If you are tired of the fashion for overly fey and wishy-washy female performers, this is just the tonic you need.

Surreal, potty-mouthed, politically incorrect and a riot of adult humour is on offer at Riffs Bar on Sunday, but to do the band in question full justice would require words not befitting a paper such as this. Even the band’s name is unsuitable for young eyes, so check out the Riffs Bar website to learn more. It’s car crash entertainment, it’s definitely over 18s only and it’s not to be missed.

Talking of things vaguely unacceptable, Monday sees the release of the Hamsters from Hell Christmas single, and you all need to get behind these local legends and purchase a copy from itunes and 208records.co.uk.

Go on, treat yourself, get it in the charts and you may just see main man Doza on The National Lottery Show. Wouldn’t that be something?

Wednesday has Christopher Rees at the Beehive, a solo artist hailed by NME as “seriously, amazing stuff”, though this is from a paper which has just nominated a Beyonce track single of the decade! I jest; the Welsh Music Award under his belt is more than enough reason to check him out.

Right I’m off to buy my reindeer antlers and snowman jumper so I can really enter into the spirit of things.

Eggnog anyone? Yeah, right!