Frome-based punks What's The Point is just one of a number of local bands heading over to Trowbridge this weekend to play the The End is Near: Live and Loud Festival.

Your Time spoke to Steve Davis (guitar and vocals) to get the lowdown.

Your Time: How and when did What's The Point all come together?

Steve: Stun (lead vocals and kazoo) and myself were in Mind Your Mohican, a successful punk covers band back in the '90s.

We wanted to do more original stuff, so we got together in 2003 with doing this in mind.

We've had a few line-up changes over the years but now we are completed by Jenkins on bass and backing vocals and Badger Far-cue on drums, backing vocals and cheeky banter.

What is the band's influences and which three essential punk albums should everyone own?

I'd say our general influences include classic punk, hardcore reggae and ska.

Our music is a mix of punk, ska and rock 'n' roll with a tongue in cheek attitude.

We have a great time at our gigs so hopefully everyone that comes to see us does too.

As for three essential albums I'd say Rancid's And Out Come The Wolves because every song is a classic, Motorhead's Ace of Spades because it's got Ace of Spades on it and, Stun says Another Kind Of Blues by UK Subs.

What does punk mean to you and how did you get into it?

It's a mixture of non-conformity, individuality, attitude and anti-fashion ... and of course, great music.

Without getting too deep, punk came along and changed the face of music in the '70s – music had become overproduced self indulgent and bland.

Punk gave a whole generation of young people a voice meaning anyone could be in a band whether you could play an instrument or not.

I don't know if that spirit can ever be re-captured because of the way the music industry has changed now ... But I'd love to see Simon Cowell in a pair of bondage trousers pulled up to his chest with spiky orange hair on the news, talking about the latest X-Factor winner being chased down the Thames on a boat by the police singing God Save The Queen – Now there's an idea: 'Generation X-Factor' or 'Punk Idol'.

I don't think you get into punk … it gets into you.

What was your first punk albums?

Our first punk albums they are The Clash by The Clash (me), Tonic For The Troops by The Boomtown Rats (Stun), Kings of The Wild Frontier by Adam & The Ants (Badger) and Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing by Discharge (Jenkins).

What can people expect at a What's The Point gig?

It's a night of loud, unpredictable, fast – but the speed is often determined by Badger's mood.

Our set is a mixture of original songs.

The originals, covering topics from plastic surgery to roast potatoes, are available on our self-produced CD Where's My Pint?

We throw in a few classic and obscure covers as well – such as the Showaddywaddy classic Under The Moon Of Love ... kazoos anyone?

Our songs are available to download for free at www.reverb nation.com/whatsthepoint.

What next for What's The Point in 2012?

Well, the Trowbridge weekender is gonna be a good-un. It takes place on Saturday and Sunday, from noon, at The Crown Hotel in Trowbridge.

It features more than 20 local bands and admission is free. We're playing on Saturday around 10pm.

We've got gigs in Midsomer Norton, Bristol and Chippenham all taking place in February – visit our Facebook page or www.reverb nation.com/whatsthepoint for further details.

Hopefully we'll doing some more recording soon and we're always up for more gigs.