Mystik Spiral

Mystik Spiral is a fictional grunge rock band from the popular MTV show "Daria." The band featured Trent Lane, the brother of Daria's best friend Jane, as lead singer and guitarist, rhythm guitarist Jesse Moreno, bass guitarist Nicholas Campbell ("Nick"), and drummer Max Tyler.

The band would frequently play gigs at various locations on the show, and the members seemed to believe they were perpetually bordering on being "discovered", although no supporting evidence for this belief was ever produced. One of the show's running gags was that "Mystik Sprial" frontman Trent Lane was a universally bad lyricist, who would sacrifice any coherent thought for the chance to rhyme. Another running gag is whenever Trent mentioned "Mystik Spiral", he would comment that they were "thinking of changing the name". It never changed throughout the show's run. Trent was presented as the stereotypical Generation X twentysomething: completely apathetic with a hesitant, laid back speech pattern. He was also the object of Daria's affection for much of the show's duration.

Members

Trent Lane - Guitar/Vocals

Trent Lane (voiced by Alvaro J. Gonzalez) was the front man for "Mystik Spiral" in the series. He would introduce the band and the songs at performances, and was the band's primary songwriter. Son of Amanda and Vincent Lane, and brother to Jane, Wind, Summer and Penny Lane, Trent spent the duration of the show lazing around the Lane residence (inhabited mostly by him and sister Jane) or practicing/performing with the group. He has been known to practice his guitar all night. He believes that sleeping with the guitar in your hand is practicing "as long as you don't drop it."

Jesse Moreno - Guitar/Back Up Vocals

Jesse Moreno (voiced by Willy Schwenz) was the second guitarist for "Mystik Spiral" (although images show him playing bass), and occasionally sung backing vocals. He first appeared in episode #111 ("Road Worrier") and was immediately revealed to be a man of significantly few words. He was never seen out of his open leather vest and if he ever had any insight into anything, he certainly never shared it with anyone. Jesse's last name was revealed indirectly in episode #213 ("Write Where It Hurts") during one of Daria's idea for a short story, in which she is in a Pride and Prejudice type novel featuring Trent as "Mr. Lane" and "his sister's admirer Mr. Moreno." Though there's no mention beside the previous statement that he is, in fact, Jane's admirer, many fans pair them. Also according to "The Daria Database" Jesse has a younger brother named Danny, who is the publicist and moderator of the band's fan club.

Nick Campbell - Bass Guitar

Nick Campbell, on the bass guitar (although images show him playing guitar), was the most low profile member of the group. Nothing but his name was ever revealed about him on the show, and he rarely spoke. From what there is to gather from his speaking parts is that he points out the obvious and is very gullible. Nick also asks questions whose answers could obviously be pointed out through his senses. It was also stated on the, now off line, official Daria website that Nick is the father of one kid.

Max Tyler - Drums

Max Tyler (voiced by Wass Stevens), mostly seen behind his drum kit, was the most aggressive member of "Mystik Spiral", which some might link to his occupation within the band. It was generally understood that Max felt himself and the group to be outrageous rebels who were perpetually in angst over society, sometimes stating how he and the band are "criminales". Max is shown to be more talk than substance when it comes to being a rebel; it was only in Episode #310 ("Speedtrapped") that Max showed that he is really a kid at heart, when the band was pulled over for swerving over the yellow line and Max had a childish fear of being beaten by the sheriff's deputy. Even though the officer never touched him, Max felt shaken by the event; that is until later when the officer gave him a "junior deputy" toy badge. Max is also the owner of "The Tank", a van that the band uses for transportation.

ongs

*"Behind My Eyelids"
*"Icebox Woman"
*"Every Dog Has Its Day"
*"Little Sister"
*"Betrayal" (completion unconfirmed)
*"Freakin' Friends"
*"Paingasm"
*"Hey Mr. Normal"

Trivia

*In Episode #504, "Camp Fear" (first aired on 12 March, 2001), disagreements over musical direction within Mystik Spiral' threatened to tear the band apart. After Trent took a short road trip to help his sister Jane and clear his head, peace and cooperation was once again restored to the garage grunge band.

*The band once spent an afternoon in a county jail for swerving over the yellow line.

*Members Nick and Max never had their last names revealed on the show. This information was released via the "The Daria Diaries", a spin-off novel set in the fictional world established by the show. Jesse was referred to by his last name (and only his last name) in Episode #213.

*In Episode #111 Jesse, the rhythm guitarist for Mystik Spiral suggests they change their band name to "Helpful Corn" after a failed attempt to find help when their Van "The Tank" breaks down on the way to Alternapalooza.

External links

* [http://www.outpost-daria.com/ Outpost Daria]
* [http://spleendid.hautetfort.com/archive/2006/09/03/mystik-spiral-freakin-friends.html "Freakin' Friends" music video (with mp3's)]