Mist and Mast

Mist and Mast has at times been a permanent four-piece, but over the long haul has been primarily the product of main guy Jason Lakis. He wrote, played and recorded the band’s self-titled debut, and about half of the second effort, Action at a Distance. The full band that recorded the other half has since reshuffled, with only guitarist Craig Adams remaining. Lakis is back to solo recording with a new album, Mist and Mast Follow a Bad Map, due out soon.

Mist and Mast play an angular, heady, wound-up version of regular-guy indie rock. The tunes are anchored down by persistant hooks crafted from minor chords, half-step riffs and other slightly off-kilter flourishes. But it all makes sense as a backdrop for Lakis’ solo vocals.

The place had filled up with enthused fans by the end of their set, but there was little time to savor a good show with a cross-town treck on hand.