Tip for the haunting season, beware of Marshmallow Ghosts.

Promising to be "more exciting than scoring a King-Size Snickers," Marshmallow Ghosts is a sort-of Graveface Records house band with a "shape-shifting cast" that includes members of Pittsburgh's masters of hazy psychedelia Black Moth Super Rainbow plus The Appleseed Cast, Dreamend and Casket Girls.

They've joined forces for a special Halloween 7" perfect for your haunted house with hypnotic swirl picture disc (and digital download!). The music is scary and swirly with a big fat beat. Check it out at www.graveface.com.

It's also a good time of year for a little death metal -- especially when costumes are involved. Pittsburgh's own Dethlehem, who come with knight outfits and their own mythology, gallop into Diesel on the South Side Friday with Gojira (as in Godzilla), a French metal band currently on tour with Metallica but playing here on an off-date. Hyperion is also on the bill which starts at 7 p.m. (so people can dance later).

The story on Emily Rodgers makes reference to her Misra labelmates Hallelujah the Hills. It's worth pointing out that the Boston band, which has that ragtag Bright Eyes chamber pop sound going for it, plays the Thunderbird Cafe Monday with Birds of Avalon (psychedelic rock from Raleigh) and Kevin Finn. Admission is 8 p.m. Tickets are $8/$10.

On Saturday night, the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty presents "A Tribute to Grandmaster Roc Raida" with Rob Swift, former turntablist of the New York City crew X-ecutioners. There will be a video tribute as well as local DJs Selecta, SMI and Hank D. Hosting will be Gene Stovall & Knowledge Born Allah. It begins at 10 p.m. and it's 18 and over. Tickets are $10 in advance at Timbbomb and 720 Records. Go to www.showclix.com.

Pittsburgh guitarist John Maione, who teaches at the University of Pittsburgh, among other places, will release his fourth jazz CD, "The Kind of Gray Project," with a concert Tuesday at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild. Maione will be joined by vibraphonist Jeff Berman, guitarist John Marcinizym, bassist Brian Stahurski and his son, Gino Maione, on drums. It begins at 7:30 p.m. and it's free.

"Listen Up With Andrew Druckenbrod" and "The Beat With Scott Mervis" are available exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.