I will wax only the briefest of sonnets about last night's For Against show at The Waiting Room. Almost no one was there, maybe 30 people at its apex, which dwindled to around a dozen by the end of their nearly 2-hour set. I don't know what -- if anything -- will get people to come out and see/hear this band. It's their loss. If you like Factory Records, if you like Joy Division and that style of music, you're doing yourself a great disservice by not seeing these guys whenever you get a chance (and if you live in Lincoln, that means tonight as they're playing an early show (6 p.m.) at Box Awesome). I've seen them a half-dozen times over the past 15 years and last night's set was easily, simply their best. It's rare (nay impossible) for just about any band to keep my attention after, say, 45 minutes. These guys kept me entranced for an hour and forty-five minutes, a distance I wasn't prepared or expecting to travel, as Spring Gun also was slated to play this show, but apparently canceled (though the band was there). Certainly Spring Gun's drummer, Nick Buller, who also is now a core member of For Against, was in the house and performed as if undergoing some sort of tribal rite of passage. Yes, the rhythm section is their backbone, but For Against really is the product of all its parts; a honed, efficient trio that takes advantage of every moment. There are no wasted efforts. The new songs from their new album, Shade Side Sunny Side, held up to any of their earlier material, in fact, the evening's highlight was a song from that CD, called "Why Are You So Angry?" -- which provided a perfect dynamic counterbalance to the band's usual throbbing sound. Now they're off to Italy, where I'm told they'll be performing 2-hour sets on tour "because it's expected." Those lucky Italians.

Tonight at The Waiting Room, something a bit less cerebral -- Little Brazil with The Photo Atlas, 1090 Club and Valley Arena. $7, 9 p.m.

Tomorrow, it's the return of Doug Kabourek (who no longer goes by Fizzle Like a Flood) at O'Leaver's. Doug will be playing a few songs as part of a show that headlines She Swings She Sways and The Black Squirrels. An historic event? You be the judge. 9:30, $5.

Watch for updates over the weekend...

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