Mystic Records

Mystic Records is a record label and music production company that was based in Hollywood CA one block south of Hollywood and Vine (6277 Selma) and later moved to Oceanside, California. The studio was originally the Delphi Studio where Bobby Fuller Four recorded "I Fought the Law" and Richie Valens "La Bamba." Mystic is not a member of the RIAA, and it specializes in hardcore punk, crossover thrash, underground, vintage, and cult records. It is owned and operated by Doug Moody. Some of the more well-known acts on Mystic Records are NOFX, Dr. Know, RKL, Battalion of Saints, Ill Repute, Agression and The Mentors. Mystic also released vinyl compilations featuring Suicidal Tendencies, New Regime, Black Flag, Government Issue, The Minutemen, Habeas Corpus, The Instigators, and Bad Religion.

Mystic is credited with developing several innovations in the independent record scene of the 1980s including the introduction of Super Sevens (vinyl discs the size of a 45 but which played at the same speed as an LP and have seven songs), releasing records in limited edition on colored vinyl, and issuing records in series. Mystic series include "The Sound of Hollywood," "We Got Power" (40+ bands on one LP), "Copulation" (songs about the police), and "Mystic Sampler" (cuts from various records released in that year). Mystic also released many records launching or reinvigorating the punk scene in many parts of the United States. Mystic was instrumental in having created the "scenes" in Simi Valley and Oxnard California (which they dubbed "Slimy Valley" and "Nardcore" respectively).

Mystic was founded by Doug Moody who had a storied career in music and is considered an Independent Rock and Roll Pioneer ^[1]. He produced over 60 gold and platinum records. He promoted or produced hit records with music luminaries such as The Five Satins, The Silhouettes, Lightning Hopkins, The Champs, Dave Baby Cortez, The Four Seasons, The Trogs, The Lovin' Spoonful and Led Zeppelin He also founded Clock Records with his father Walter Moody. He envisioned Mystic as a platform for America's youth to voice their opinions musically. The label attracted hardcore punk, crossover thrash and speed metal. In its heyday (between 1982 and 1990), Mystic released over 200 different records with several hundred artists. Moody was assisted in his efforts by Phillip (Philco) Raves (who assisted in producing, recording, and conceptualizing compilation projects), Bill Karras (who managed sales and distribution), and Mark Wilkins, aka Mystic Mark (who oversaw record and tour promotion). Phillip (Philco) Raves is still producing indy and punk records in his downtown Los Angeles recording studio "Downtown Sound."

Mark Wilkins is listed in the 2002 edition of International Who's Who in Popular Music ^[2] for founding Affiliated Indendent Record Companies (A.I.R.CO), International Record Promotion (IRP), being West Coast CEO of The Indepdendent Music Association (IMA) and co-founder, with IMA Founder Don Kulak, of the Independent Music Retailer's Association (IMRA), the latter of which was known for finding plaintiffs in two major class action lawsuits against major record labels. One garnered IMRA members $178,000,000 the other got over $250,000,000 for consumers who bought CD's between 1995 and 2005.

"Mystic Records" is also the name of a record shop in Kent in the UK, which has an online presence.

Major artists on the Mystic label

• Battalion of Saints
• Crankshaft
• Doggy Style
• Dr. Know
• First Offense
• The Grim
• Ill Repute
• The Insolents
• Manifest Destiny
• The Mentors
• NOFX
• The P.T.L. Klub
• Rich Kids on LSD
• Agression
• Scared Straight
• Sin 34
• Slaughterhouse 5
• Stäläg 13
• Teacherz
• Stukas Over Bedrock
• Undercity Kings
• The Conservatives
• The Offspring (as Manic Subsidial)

References

1. ^ John Broven (2009). Record makers and breakers: voices of the independent rock 'n' roll pioneers. University of Illinois Press. pp. 363ff. ISBN 025203290X. 
2. ^ Andy Gregory, ed (2002). International Who's Who in Popular Music. Europa Publications Limited. pp. 544ff. ISBN 1857431618. 

See also

• List of record labels
• Mystic Records catalog from 1980-1990
• A partial list of groups that have been released on Mystic Records

External links

• Mystic Records official website
• Philco Raves' recording studio