I have nothing for you from this past weekend as family stuff kept me from going to any of the shows, including the two early-evening Benson showcases (at Jake’s and TWR). If you were there and you want to share, post your review either at the end of this blog entry or on the webboard, which continues to get action despite this new blog design.

There are two shows going on tonight, neither of which I’ll be able to attend, but that shouldn’t stop you. At The Waiting Room it’s Mono, a Tokyo-based experimental instrumental rock band (i.e. ambient guitar-driven roar) that records on Temporary Residence Ltd. Their last album, Hymn to the Immortal Wind, was recorded by the legendary Steve Albini. Opening is The Twilight Sad. $13, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, over at O’Leaver’s, So-So Sailors have a last-minute just-announced gig with Jake Bellows and Before the Toast and Tea. You can read my review of So-So Sailors debut performance at Slowdown Jr. here. The band is anchored by Chris Machmuller (Ladyfinger) on vocals and piano, Dan McCarthy (McCarthy Trenching) on Wurlitzer, Alex McManus (The Bruces) on guitar, Brendan Greene-Walsh (O’Leaver’s) on bass and Dan Kemp on drums. $5, 9 p.m.

And later this week at Lazy-i look for interviews with Criteria and The Lepers… See you then.