Are you ready to get the sillies out...again?

My children have had passing fancies with the Doodlebops, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and what's turning out to be a lengthy love affair with Cars (ya know Lightning McQueen), but nothing has captured their devotion long-term like Yo Gabba Gabba. My oldest wants everything orange from drinking cups to his socks to Halloween monster makeup because that's DJ Lance Rock's color. Both of my sons knew how to say all the characters' names long before...well almost anything. And honestly I look forward to new episodes - partly because new episodes are so few and far between, but also because of the new songs and special guests (My personal favorite, "Flying," featuring the younger geeks from "Freaks & Geeks" has actually never aired but you can find it on the "Circus" DVD).

All that said, we are thrilled that DJ Lance and his gang of colorfully wacky creatures are returning to Ovens Auditorium for two shows Saturday, February 16. And by we I mean me and my husband. I may save the news for the kids until Christmas morning. What a super stocking stuffer!

Tickets go on sale to the general public Monday, December 3 at 10 a.m. at www.ticketmaster.com. There are several password protected pre-sales and admission to the VIP Party which doesn't require a password. That, however, will set you way back. I've been staring at the online cart all weekend debating the importance of seeing my two-year-old run up to Foofa squealing her name. The VIP tickets include good seats, but more importantly a pass to the after party where Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee and Plex will take photos with families in their respective "lands" (the backdrops from the show).

I sprung for two party pass tickets the first time Gabba came to Charlotte. There were snacks and party hats, pictures with Leslie Hall, no line at the merch table, and children gathering around to hear DJ Lance tell a story. We have an awesome photo of my husband, our son (sporting his Motorhead t-shirt) and I with all five characters. But VIP tickets for a family of four comes to over $500 and this will make our nearly four-year-old's fourth Yo Gabba Gabba concert and our two-year-old's second. While I highly recommend springing for the experience if you can afford it, I'm thinking my kids will be just as stoked to get their sillies out from the seats of the auditorium.

Recent Gaga, Rock announcements - no CLT dates

Taylor Swift may have recently announced her return to Time Warner Cable Arena next March when her Red Tour winds through town on the 22nd, but a couple other headliners haven't included Charlotte on their calendars.

LiveNation announced Friday that Lady Gaga's Born This Way Ball World Tour will stop in Greensboro on March 18 of next year. It's the second to last date listed on her website. Likewise, Kid Rock's Rebel Soul Tour will play Greenville, SC's Bi-Lo Center February 16 with Buck Cherry and Hellbound Glory (who, as an aside, has gone from playing Tremont's Casbah and sleeping on my friend's floor to an arena tour in what will be little more than six months). Tickets for both Gaga (pictured) and Rock go on sale through Ticketmaster and LiveNation outlets Friday, December 7.

The Fillmore has added several dates to it's calendar of late and it's located right here. Those shows include Testament with Overkill, Flotsam and Jetsam, and 4arm February 10, moe. February 15, Dropkick Murphys March 5, and Excision's The Execution Tour with Paper Diamond & Vaski March 7. Of course none of those acts are playing arenas. You might have to travel a couple hours for your Gagas, Rocks, Miranda Lamberts & Dierks Bentleys (whose previously announced Locked and Loaded Tour with Lee Brice kicks off in Columbia January 17).

CLT's Greevace celebrates first EP release Saturday

Every time I see the word Greevace - as in the heavy Charlotte rock trio - I want to pronounce it like it’s a location in Italy with a subtle roll to the ‘r’, stressing the ‘va’ in the same way Giada DeLaurentis lapses into her native accent when layering “mozz-a-rel-la” on a dish (phonetically gre-va-chi). I realize this is ridiculous - though it may be hereditary. My father pronounced the first cell phone company in our hometown, CellularOne, as if it were a dish of cellular(maca)roni. But listening to the band’s first four-song release “The Eye Sees All” the idea that guitarist Andy Cauble is sometimes channeling the intricate picking of one of the romantic language cultures when not trading in distorted, choppy riffs isn’t that far off. 

The introduction of songs like “Cabal” and “The Onus is On Us” aren’t directly flamenco and the clean-tone is brief, but it adds a different layer that separates the group from a standard riff-rock unit. In fact there’s a section of “The Onus” before the haunting lyrics kick in where the guitar and bass enter into fluttering finger work that could be considered metal’s version of gypsy jazz. That’s where the European (and maybe a little Middle Eastern) reference is strongest. But that element and the shifting, varied instrumental sections give these songs weight and depth.

That’s not to say that Greevace is incorporating a weird, disparate mesh of styles. All the elements fit together. For the most part it’s rooted in heavy riffs and classic metal like Anthrax and Prong (they get a lot of Tool comparisons, but I hear Greevace's roots dating back earlier). Chris Cauble alternates between attacking and haunting vocals and lyrics spat in a confrontational style that remind me of Suicidal Tendencies if Mike Muir had done more singing and less talking and an intentionally creepier James Hetfield. The tracks shift from driving heaviness to more introspective instrumental parts that feature subtle guitar harmonies. The dichotomy keeps things interesting and provides that aforementioned depth.

Greevace features Charlotte music veterans from heavy bands that were a bit left of straight punk or metal - Black Lagoon and Drat. The trio (pictured, the Cauble brothers and drummer Thomas Whitley) plays Tremont Music Hall with Karma To Burn (who are from my native West Virginia, by the way - home of Cellularone) and Watch Husky Burn (formerly Husky) Saturday, December 1. The show starts at 9 p.m. and admission is $8 to $10. Tickets are available via www.ticketfly.com.

Greevace is already working on its second release at Sioux Sioux Studios. I’m anxious to hear where the next one takes them. You can hear all the tracks from “The Eyes Sees All” here. 

This week's hot concerts

Caleb Caudle

8 p.m. Saturday, December 1, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $6-$8. 704-376-3737.

The Winston-Salem-based songwriter returns to one of his favorite venues to celebrate the release of his aptly titled new album, “Tobacco Town,” which captures the Carolinas’ dirt floor Americana while summoning legions of detail-oriented Texas songwriters as well.

2 Chainz

9 p.m. Saturday, December 1, Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $33. www.livenation.com

After over a decade on the hip-hop scene, the Atlanta area rapper became one of the hottest new national acts of 2012 with a number one album and collaborations with Drake, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and Ciara easily garnering him a widespread stamp of approval.

Sum 41/IAmDynamite

8 p.m. Sunday, December 2, Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $27. www.livenation.com

The surprisingly versatile pop-punk band celebrates the 10^th anniversary of its “Does This Look Infected?” album, which included hits “The Hell Song” and “Still Waiting,” with snappy harmony and hook-driven combo IAmDynamite (half of which is based in Raleigh).

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit

7:30 p.m. Monday, December 3, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $15. 704-358-9200.

The former Drive-By Trucker is coming off the award winning track “Alabama Pines,” an engagement, and a new live album that takes him into 2013 when he’ll tentatively focus on an acoustic album and tour.

I Fight Dragons

6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $10-$12. www.etix.com

Old school gamers rejoice! This recent Warped Tour act embarks on its maiden headlining “War of the Cyborg Liberation Tour” while employing Nintendo Game Boys and Entertainment Systems into quirky tracks about geek empowerment that merge Devo and Weezer.

Willie Nelson

8 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $60.50. www.livenation.com

The country rebel surrounds himself with family on his new album ("Heroes") and tour during which he'll treat Charlotte to a rare intimate club set that includes his daughter Paula and son Lukas Nelson and  his band  the Promise of the Real as openers.

The Mastersons

10 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $8-$10. 704-376-3737.

With engaging harmonies and personality married songwriters Eleanor Whitmore and Chris Mastersons (who opened and backed Steve Earle here in May) echo the tradition of acclaimed country-folk couplings like Buddy and Julie Miller (who coincidentally once did the same with Earle).

Richard Marx

7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 6, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $19.50-$39.50. 704-372-1000.

The `80s hit maker, who has since written hits for others, does the “evening with” approach where he’ll revisit his back catalog as well as newer material in an intimate “VH1 Storytellers”-like setting.

Jonathan Coulton & John Roderick

8 p.m. Thursday, December 6, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $18-$20. 704-358-9200.

You’ll practically forget your listening to Christmas music when geeky internet sensation Coulton (“Code Monkey”) and the Long Winters’ Roderick take on the holidays on their new effort, “One Christmas at a Time,” as well as play some quirky non-holiday favorites. 

Avetts, Travis' 'CMT Crossroads' encore

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If you were too busy nursing a turkey hangover or recovering from your Black Friday battle to catch North Carolinians Randy Travis and the Avett Brothers sharing the stage on "CMT's Crossroads'" latest episode Friday you can catch the entire episode Sunday morning at 10 a.m. EST. But you can also watch the full episode here on the network's website.

My traditional country music loving babysitter, who watched it first, gave it a big thumbs up. I'm a sucker for the Avetts' "Murder in the City" myself and it's interesting to hear Travis' subtle twist on what I consider one of the group's finest tracks.

Aside from performances of songs like "January Wedding," "Three Wooden Crosses," and the obligatory "Forever and Ever Amen," the episode includes rehearsal footage as well as Travis sitting down and discussing topics like North Carolina's musical heritage and marriage with the core trio of Seth and Scott Avett and Bob Crawford.

This week's hot concerts

Edwin McCain

8 p.m. Friday, November 23, Don Gibson Theater 318 S. Washington St., Shelby, $26.www.dongibsontheater.com

The SC songwriter behind `90s hits like “Solitude” returns for his annual Thanksgiving week show - this time on the outskirts of Charlotte, yet closer to his old Greenville stomping grounds.

Ghost Trees

9 p.m. Friday, November 23, Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $5. www.ticketfly.com

The experimental, avant garde jazz-rooted duo celebrates the release of its nautical themed 10-inch picture disc record with friends and colleagues Great Architect, Blossoms, and Bo White.

American Aquarium/Sons of Bill

9 p.m. Saturday, November 24, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $12-$14. www.visulite.com

These Raleigh and Charlottesville roots rockers have released their most mature works to date with 2012’s “Burn.Flicker.Die” and “Sirens,” respectively. They team up before the latter embarks on a pre-holiday German run.

Megadeth

8 p.m. Sunday, November 25, Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $44.50. www.livenation.com

Just weeks after the release of the special 20^th anniversary edition of the double platinum “Countdown to Extinction,” Dave Mustaine and crew are back to remind fans of its place in metal history.

Toubab Krewe

8 p.m .Tuesday, November 27, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $15-$17. www.visulite.com

Once a group of college students studying African rhythms this Asheville outfit has grown into a hard touring world music unit bridging Appalachia and Mali on the world stage and recently working with Afropop Worldwide on the “Musicians for Mali” benefit that drew attention from the BBC. With John Brown's Body. 

Eric Church

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 28, Time Warner Cable Arena, 333 E. Trade St. $48.40-$59.50.www.ticketmaster.com

The Granite Falls, NC-native has reached arena headlining status with both a CMA and an American Country Awards with this his album of the year, "Chief." The Carolinian is joined by Kip Moore and Justin Moore.

Silversun Pickups

8 p.m. Thursday, November 29, Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $33. www.livenation.com

It’s unclear how the 106.5 Xmas Weenie (which includes Morning Parade and Civil Twilight) differs from WEND’s annual Not So Acoustic Xmas two weeks from now, but it brings the solid live show of the dynamics-driven band back to town.

Bank Cormorants

8 p.m. Thursday, November 29, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $6-$8. 704-376-3737.

Gaston County-based singer-songwriter and local favorite David Childers and multi-instrumentalist Matt Ranck put their spin (and Childers’ deep baritone) on Christmas music with the new holiday album “Madonna & Rose.”

Big Gigantic

8 p.m. Thursday, November 29, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $17-$20/$32.www.neighborhoodtheatre.com

Conceived by a well educated jazz saxophonist as a means to create DJ-based music with live instrumentation, this combo morphs into a marathon club act big on improv and remixes.

Fuzzy locals release weekly $5 video series

Charlotte band Your Fuzzy Friends is in the midst of releasing a series of music videos the first of which features a couple of dancing mustaches. The purveyors of said `staches received five dollars for their trouble. That's the hitch. The funny, electro-pop band, which consists of puppet master Lee Grutman and a series of literally stuffed fuzzy friends, teamed with "Shutter16 Magazine" to recruit folks through the fiverr.com/ website where artists post what they're willing to do (and film) for a measly five bucks. Christopher Olson of Springfield, Missouri, for instance advertised his willingness to make a mustache dance to any song the buyer wanted him to. You can watch the video here.

The latest installment - released today - pairs Your Fuzzy Friends' rather beautiful synth-pop song "Mathletes" with equally stunning anime. You can view that one above.

It all sounds a bit confusing until you watch the videos. The first, for YFF's "Don't Touch My Mustache," is pretty self-explanatory. For the second video for the less G-rated song "Banana Hammock" a Turkish video editor strung some very strange footage of nearly nude, not svelte men running around the woods in animal masks and what very well could be the after hours dance party at a convention for sports mascots, birthday party entertainers, occasional Flaming Lips' employees and other people who run around dancing in full animal costumes. You can check that one out here.

Your Fuzzy Friends will be releasing five dollar videos for a new track each week for the next eight weeks. Grutman (pictured), who was also in L.A. Tool & Die and Fat Camp, is the sole member but he creates his wacky ditties about the high school social structure and dancing body parts on guitar and sends those files to programmer Kelly Shane who turns them into electro-pop songs. Combined with the fact that there are stuffed animals involved in the live show, it's a pretty great endeavor. It's so delightfully strange in fact it's been voted one of the weirdest bands in the world by www.weirdestbandintheworld.com/, which places it alongside some of my favorite famously weird artists Devo, Frank Zappa, and Rasputina.