Marks S takes a look at what's coming up this week on the music scene in Oxfordshire the Word?What's the Word?What's THE Kooler, at The Bullingdon, Cowley Road, goes through to 2am every Thursday as from May 4. And to celebrate in style Rosita (see profile) who feature former members of Kenickie are playing live along with Mika Bomb, an all-girl Japanese punk explosion. Brookes-based, female fronted, indie popsters Hannon open the show. Also tonight Celtic folksters The Poozies descend on The Zodiac. Later at the same venue, it's easy listening with Disques Vogue.

Across town, The Jericho in Walton Street plays host to Wallingford's Schindler and Superhead Seven. Roots.net in Park End Street offers Salsa Celtica who, as their name suggests, mix up Latin, folk African and Celtic styles.

FRIDAY, May 5, sees Whispering Bob return to their spiritual home, The Jericho, to launch their mini- album, Another Fine Mess. This seven-track affair profiles Bob's country-tinged pop. Klub Kakofanney return to The Elm Tree for their monthly visit. Silverback and King of the Rocketmen provide the live entertainment. The Bullingdon hosts a Retro session, with Benny Blanco and Kensi bringing the best in block party classics. The Source crew are back at The Zodiac for their fortnightly slot, with Grooverider guesting. In town, roots.net welcomes Mamadou and the Libidor Band with their salsa-inclined Afro-beat sounds.

Out of town, The Pit, at the Hollybush, Witney, has a bit of a treat, with impressive new guitar-driven outfit Powder Burns topping the bill. Ginger Baby provide the support.

ON Saturday (May 6), The Zodiac has lo-fi Scottish indie outfit The Delgados on offer. Sonic Boom celebrate their first anniversary at The Bullingdon. The uplifting trance 'n' techno club have top name techno DJs Remould and Juno on hand to make sure it's an extra special occasion. The club that cannot be named returns to The Elm Tree with a triple-bill of extreme metal and guitar abuse featuring Stoopi plus support.

East Oxford Community Centre plays host to the laid-back vibes 'n' grooves of Nortica along with supporting sets from guest DJs. Roots.net hosts the return of Horace X. The Samurai Seven are back in town! The guitar-toting gangsters of speed-pop headline at The Point. They are joined by special guest Tom Hingley who teamed up with the magnificent seven for a prestigious London show at the 100 Club. Hingley, the former Inspiral Carpets frontman, was raised in these parts, so it's something of a homecoming for him too. In Banbury, Hobson's Choice hosts the monthly dance experience known as Skankadelic. Lee Foster and Beamish are among the guests. Elsewhere, Sound 2000 can be caught at The Pit, Witney.

SUNDAY (May 7) brings a mouthwatering double-header to The Zodiac as Idlewild (see interview) and Brassy join forces.

THERE'S a Kooler Xtra at The Bullingdon on Monday night (May 8). The Junket (see preview) are in town promoting their debut album Lux Safari, alongside three local outfits, Vade Mecum, Half Rabbits and Immerse.

The Fuggle'n 'Firkin, Gloucester Green, has the Dino Baptise Band on hand for their weekly blues rock session. Further afield, Nettlebed Folk Club is visisted by Maddy Prior, Nick Holland and Troy Donockley.

PART two of this month's student band competition takes place at The Point on Tuesday (May 9) although two of the acts on hand are already well established locally! The line-up consists of The Klyvz, Des 'Ego', Wolventrix and Flukestar. Being Tuesday it's the Jazz Club at The Bullingdon with Denny Illett Jnr and his Quartet. Roots.net plays host to One Love, the weekly reggae flavoured night.

THE Catweazle Club, which mixes 'n' matches acoustic musicians with poets and the like, has secured a new home at roots.net. The first session is on Wednesday (May 10). Still in town, PoNaNa opens up the Beat Lounge. On the Cowley Road Fuzzy Ducks returns to The Zodiac, providing an off campus night out for students.

COMING up over the next few weeks is Toploader's rescheduled visit to The Zodiac (May 13), Black Box Recorder (Zodiac, May 16), The Doves (Zodiac, May 20). At the time of writing there's no news if this week's cancelled Wannabies gig is going to be rescheduled.

**For the full list of gigs on this week, go to Listings in the left-hand panel and then select Gigs.