Check It:

There is more going down around town than run-of-the-mill concerts this month. Check it!

Lazer 103.3 presents Lazer’s “Not So Silent Night” at the Val Air Ballroom featuring Hinder with Trapt, Rev Theory, and Destrophy. Although the show hits during Dead Week, it’s well worth the procrastination. To catch the Dec. 3 show, get your tickets ahead of time at the Val Air box office.

Taproot will be blowing up the House of Bricks on Dec. 4. Tickets can be purchased at the venue for $15.

If killer light shows and mind boggling lasers synced with intense guitar riffs and amazing vocalists sounds impressive, catch Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s performance at Wells Fargo Arena on Dec. 6. Ticket prices are steep, but there isn’t a bad seat in the house for this show and it’s worth every penny.

If you fell in love with Palmerston at Lazerfest 2.0 this summer, they are going to be back in Des Moines and are playing at the 4th Street Theater on Dec. 6 for a Food Bank of Iowa benefit. Bring a can of food to enjoy the band.

Black Crowes are heading back to the Val Air Ballroom on Dec. 11. Tickets are $36.50 and the show would be a great way to end finals week.

Corey Taylor’s Dysfunctional New Year’s Eve with DMFX, Dirty Little Rabbits, and Jun will be an absolute riot. Dec. 31, this party will be tearing down the Val Air and you can be a part of the destruction for only $15.

Need a little classic rock in the dreary winter months? Road trip down to Kansas City and catch the infamous AC/DC performing many dirty deeds at the Spring Center. At only $92.50, stubs to witness these rock legends are dirty cheap.

Road Trip:

Drive through the Jolly Holiday Lights display at Water Works Park right off Fleur Drive in Des Moines with that certain someone. Over three miles of Christmas lights are sure to impress even the biggest Grinch. Sip some Starbucks’ hot chocolate and cruise through the display, all the while knowing that all proceeds of the park are going toward helping children with life threatening medical conditions. More information about proceeds is available upon request at the admission gate.

Flash Forward:

This week we are going to focus on some killer CD releases. If you need some tunes to get you through the joyous and ever eventful holiday season, check these discs out.

For those of you a bit behind times, Guns and Roses most recent release, “Chinese Democracy,” has been out since Nov. 23. If you are looking to pick this disc up as a last minute Christmas gift, beware, the CD is sold exclusively at Best Buy.

How about angry boy bands rebelling against their overprotective fathers? Snatch up Bullet For My Valentine’s deluxe edition CD/DVD reissue of “Scream Aim Fire” in all music outlets Dec. 9. If vengeful screams aren’t sounding pleasurable, check out Incubus’ release, “Look Alive,” also hitting stores Dec. 9.