Bassist Liz Panarelli's early departure gave way to keyboardist Jeffrey Runnings' shift to bass, as well as the band's truncation of its name to For Against.

By 1985, singer Jon Fynbu had departed as well, leaving the core trio of guitarist Harry Dingman III, drummer Gregory Hill and bassist Jeffrey Runnings.

That year the band undertook its only full tour to date, promoting Echelons at clubs across the U.S. including CBGB, Maxwell's and Chicago's Cabaret Metro.

Echelons received a Grammy nomination for its jacket design by IPR head Bruce Licher; each LP in the initial pressing of 1000 came with an actual shaft of wheat integrated into the cover illustration.

[2] Having received favorable press for the melodic post-punk of Echelons, For Against released follow-up December the next year, to equally rave reception.

By the time of Aperture's release (delayed due to IPR's distribution woes), Gaskins had left the group; the album credits thank him for his bass playing but do not list him as a band member.