Digital Leather at The Waiting Room, May 6, 2010. Photo by John Shartrand.

Not that it matters, but last night’s Digital Leather show at The Waiting Room was what I was looking for when I wrote this column a few weeks ago. As a stripped-down three-piece, I could hear the songs closer to the way they sound on the recordings, but with a different spin that comes from a live performance. That’s not to say the band shouldn’t perform as a five piece. They just need to balance things so that everything can come through, which hasn’t been the case. Last night I could hear the keyboards, I could hear the guitar, I could hear the drums, I could hear frontman Shawn Foree, and nothing was overpowering except for the songs, which as I said, are some of the best things going on in Omaha (or anywhere). I realized while I was watching that it would probably be the only time that I’d hear the music this way, as the five-piece will be back in action next time, and Digital Leather will likely once again transform into just another garage band. I did talk to one person who said that while he enjoyed the performance, he preferred the noisier garage version of the band. No doubt he’s not alone.

Speaking of “just another garage band,” Matador Records act Harlem came on next and filled that role nicely. Stoned or drunk or just plain having fun, the trio ripped through a set of the usual garage rock fodder with nods to The Zombies, Them, The Yardbirds, surf music, low-fi indie, the usual shtick. They were at their best when all three were belting out harmonies. After about six songs with the same tempo and same crash-bash dynamics, I got the drift.

* * *

Busy, busy weekend…

Tonight (Friday)

At sexy, sassy O’Leaver’s it’s Well-Aimed Arrows (ex-Protoculture) with Lincoln band Husbands and The Prairies. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Down at Slowdown Jr., Capgun Coup, Landing on the Moon and The Praries play with Lawrence band Rooftop Vigilantes. $7, 9 p.m.

And at Harrah’s Stir Casino, Brad Hoshaw and the Seven Deadlies roll out a 3-hour set, where I’m told the center portion will feature an hour of new music that will likely appear on the new album. $5, 9 p.m.

Saturday

Lincoln’s Ideal Cleaners headlines a show with Baby Tears and The New Loud at O’Leaver’s. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Over at The Sydney, Eli Mardock of Eagle Seagull takes the stage along with Pharmacy Spirits and Thunder Power. $5, 9 p.m.

The Waiting Room is hosting a reunion of ’90s band Janglepop, along with a short set by The Filter Kings, and full sets by Surfer Rosa (Pixies tribute band) and Brave Captain (fIREHOSE tribute band). $5, 8 p.m.

Sunday

The weekend is capped off with the Community Bike Project benefit  at Slowdown, featuring UUVVWWZ, Talking Mountain, Flowers Forever and the Nebraska Bike Ensebow. $5, 9 p.m.

And finally, Lincolnites will get a chance to see the guy who I’ve been talking about (here) for the past few weeks — Jeremy Messersmith plays at Duffy’s Tavern. According to Duffy’s online calendar, Messersmith plays a super-early set — 6 p.m.! As always, call ahead for confirmed times (and price).

Tonight at The Waiting Room, Austin garage-punk band Harlem takes the stage. The trio is out on the road supporting their just-released Matador debut Hippies. The Reader‘s Chris Aponick interviewed the boys in the latest issue, or you can read it online right here.

Harlem isn’t the only trio playing at TWR tonight. Digital Leather opens the show… as a three-piece. I guess a couple of the guys aren’t available tonight, so expect to see and hear the band in a different light. Show starts at 9 p.m. (I double-checked) and cover is $8.