Some things defy easy explanation: crop circles; the enduring popularity of the "Big Momma's House" franchise; and why a grown man would tattoo an ice cream cone onto his cheek. Go ahead and file Tonetta in that category.

Tonetta is the stage name of a Toronto native named Tony Jeffrey, who has been recording a variety of sleazy and cheap lo-fi pop songs for the last 28 years. Roughly three years ago, he discovered the wonders of YouTube and realized the medium's potential to propel his singular brand of bizarre to semi-stardom. Since then, he's become a video celebrity of sorts, thanks to his outre guitar pop and outlandish videos. Song titles include "Lady Gaga," "Jewish Girls," "Hitler," "Jesus" and "Drugs Drugs Drugs."

Often appearing nearly nude, he's been repeatedly banned from YouTube for flouting their censorship rules. When he does clothe himself, costumes can include anything from white face, bikinis, fright wigs, dresses and leather -- lots of leather. His only analogue is the Oakland avant-weirdo Lil B, who has cultivated a fan base through prolificacy, shock tactics and sheer entertainment value. Both write songs about random celebrities and Jesus, and seem as though they'd be fun to invite to your party.

For the last three years, the holiday cheer of the Smell's Riot Grrrl X-mas Carnival has thrived on two things: fiery, female-fronted punk bands and $5 donations. Since 2007, the show's proceeds have gone to benefit the Downtown Women's Center. Meanwhile, this winter's slam dancing soiree aims to gather chord crunching musicians from L.A. to the Bay Area to support the good cause by generating a solid helping of ruckus and sweat.

The line-up includes raucous Oakland quartet the Splinters, locals La Sangronas y El Cabron, the Outskirts, Anus Kings, Toy Attica and Santa Ana's the Bellhaunts. Whether you're a fan of throat-shredding rage to folk storytelling, the line-up appears to pay homage to punk rock of all pedigrees.

Tapping the underground scene for some seasonal giving is a Smell tradition that Susana Sepulveda--the event's founder and member for La Sangronas--hadn't counted on when she threw the first Xmas Carnival (not originally a Riot Grrrl show) as a one-off gig with the hope of doing some proactive charity work for the holidays. Now going on its third year with the blessing of venue owner Jim Smith, the show has become absorbed in the Washington-based feminist musician movement.

This Riot Grrrl gig is also open to local artists and zine publishers looking to display their wares for show-goers at the Smell. Thanks to increased popularity by buzzing word of mouth, Sepulveda says the event's donations to help to fund a newly added DWC Residence building filled with affordable housing units for homeless women in the community. Those looking for new ways to use head banging for a good cause might add this to their post-Christmas list of things to do.

-- Nate Jackson

Riot Grrrl X-mas Carnival at the Smell, 247 S. Main St. Los Angeles,  Sunday, Dec. 26. (213) 625-4325, www.thesmell.org. 9 p.m. $5 at the door (additional donations for the Downtown Women's Center are welcome). 

The next time you catch yourself pining for the days of New Jack Swing, just remember there’s at least one group out there that’s keeping the pre-Kanye Roland 808 synth-clap sounds alive.

 Yes, the members of Bell Biv DeVoe parted with their flat tops decades ago. But there’s no question that watching the crisp dance moves and high-top fades in videos like “B.B. D. (I Thought It Was Me)” and “Poison” can rekindle the memories of '90s R&B with one click of a mouse.

 
 
Anytime a collection of well-respected frontmen join forces, the term supergroup will inevitably get bandied about. But you won’t hear the members of Middle Brother ascribing that lofty title to themselves anytime soon. Yes, members John McCauley III (Deer Tick), Matt Vasquez (Delta Spirit) and Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) have a hefty helping of the indie folk buzz in their respective corners. But even after the year of exposure each of their primary bands has  had (everything from new albums to night-time appearances on "Letterman"), their humble moniker pretty much tells us where they stand on the issue.

“I don’t think any of these bands are on the level of what you’d normally consider a supergroup,” says Goldsmith, whose L.A.-based band is set to release a new album next year. “As of now, we’re definitely one of the little guys.”

Humility aside, the sprawling three-part harmonies blanketing the band’s woodsy, acoustic balladry will likely turn heads. L.A. fans are getting their first live taste of the band Monday during  a benefit concert for Invisible Children, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding impoverished children in various parts of war-torn Uganda, at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. (Read more about the benefit over at Brand X.)