Approaching tonight's third birthday celebration, it's hard to imagine the Sydney music scene without the Oxford Art Factory. It 's played host to a multitude of live music, arts events, and has an art wall that is refreshed every month.

Launching with Ben Frost, the wall has since seen a who's who of Sydney Urban Art, including: Beast Man, Kill Pixie, The Movement, Bridget Mac, Kid Zoom, James Jirat Patroon, Andy Uprock, Mark Drew, Numskull. It's even got something for you literary types, Bret Easton Ellis recently did a book signing event there, and Booker Prize winner DBC Pierre has one coming up. Very arty indeed.

What I like so much about the place is the diversity. One night it'll be idol wannabes, the next it'll be the kind of garage rock that used to be the mainstay of the glorious Hopetown Hotel (RIP), all the while in the glass room a COFA student will be howling and body painting one of their friends. My personal highlight was nearly knocking into Nick Cave at the ATP after party. I'd just seen him on stage, and if I'd actually knocked into him I'm sure I would have shattered into a million pieces... I'm not worthy.

What's the secret of the Oxford Art Factory? It works because the proprietor Mark Gerber loves the place. Inspired by Warhol's factory and Fac 51 Haçienda he wants there to be a cross section of arts and music, and so there is. He's a good publican: after be banned for being VERY BAD BOYS, the Warhorse degenerates were eventually let back into play. Beneath the glam patina the Oxford Art Factory has heart. Even the bouncers there are decent. It always feels like a safe place and doesn't have the same kind of drunk idiots that fill other bars on Oxford st.

During the epic Double Dragon event over Splendour weekend, I had the opportunity to chat to Mark Gerber in the glass room situated between the main stage and the gallery bar that normally hosts art installations. It was very loud, receiving cross talk from both rooms, and we discussed the night and their upcoming birthday party.  I mentioned that $5 was a great price for a mini festival and a Splendour alternative, and asked him for a quote. He replied: "Oxford Art Factory reclines in Splendour". Huh? "Captain Beefhart". Huh? "Oxford Art Factory reclines in Splendour". Clearly some kind of diss at Splendour In The Grass, complete with a music reference that I didn't get. But from my point of view, it was great to see so many new bands playing the event - it made Splendour seem like a bit of a museum in comparison. To this suggestion, Mark replied, again, "Captain Beefhart". In fairness I think that this would have all made more sense if I could hear him properly, and if I had been sober, and taking notes.

However, the impression I got from our conversation was that he's really happy with the place and the diversity of the acts and was pumped for the Birthday. I'm good with body language. Double Dragon will be a hard act to follow, but I'm sure they'll manage it. My hearing got crystal clear when Mark offered to buy a round, I accepted, and out of journalistic integrity I moved on. There's a petition to get OAF's trading hours extended, if you like the place check it out … HERE ... and the first person to e-mail me with an explanation of the Beefheart reference, gets a prize. Reclines in Splendour?? Recliners in Splendour?? Maybe he said Zappa??? I dunno...

I stuck around to check out the bands and talk to the Double Dragon promoters. James Shirlaw and Jasper Clifford-Smith didn't try to sway me with booze, but they swayed me with a great night, and we're nice enough to e-mail me some comments. James Shirlaw is an Artist, band manager, event promoter, boyish man and a gentleman. His view is that Double Dragon "is glowing with positivity which isn't deriving from just being a promoter behind the event, in this case the scale of the night; over the whole Oxford Art Factory venue on a Saturday night with eleven bands" [No small feat] "Double Dragon' at least for my involvement, was the culmination of my work in booking and promoting for over two years (Exquisite Corpse, The Revenant Club) at Oxford Art Factory so it was defiantly an important one (probably the most important) and Jasper and l, and everyone l've spoke in the days since agrees it was the best curated and most successful so far. Musically, the highlight of the night for me was the perfect dynamic l felt with the combination of Absolute Boys, Ghoul and Dead China Doll in the main room; l cried in the corner.. in happiness."

Jasper, front man for Warhorse, rapper in sick python, collaborator in Arkestra, and outspoken big fisted bane of bullies was " Really happy with how it all went." [phew] "I'm glad to have had something to do with it. All the bands were great but if i had to pick a favourite it would be Dark Bells, they were definitely a highlight." I agree that Dark bells was the pick of the night. Warhorse were good, too, especially for anyone who can recall the mayhem that occurred in OAF another time they played. Meanwhile, Dominic Telrido's drole dead pan trip hop is a nice break from the sanitised ironic posturing of indie rock. I could see Dom going places, however I was surprised that he has fans that already know his songs word for word.

What's next for Double Dragon? Jasper reckons "there needs to be more of this kind of thing which is why Jim and I are working on a sequel for October. There are so many great bands in Sydney who just don't get enough love because most bookers are pussies. Double Dragon is about changing that."

Good thing Mark Gerber's not a pussy.

See you at the OAF 3rd Birthday - tonight!

Sign the Oxford Art Factory Petition here: http://www.oxfordartfactory.com/supporttheoaf.html