Mystic Records Part 3 (1983)
Before I get into it, check my want list here and get in touch if you have any of these. I posted a full discography here.
And check out parts one & two if you haven’t already.
In 1983, Mystic Records really started rolling again. They dabbled in a few different genres in addition to punk: post-punk (Eleven Sons, Bone Cabal), New Wave (Cone of Silence), and metal (Vengeance, Hellion). They also continued putting out comps: a punk comp (We Got Power - Party or Go Home), a mixed bag comp (Destroy LA) and a record of all female groups from the LA area. They also put out two really good San Diego punk records by Battalion of Saints and Manifest Destiny.
But let’s start with a rando Mystic record/story…
Billy Vera wrote a bunch of popular songs throughout the 60s and 70s, including the song above from 1966 that low key kicks ass. He also wrote songs for Fats Domino, The Shirelles, and in 1979 his song “I Really Got the Feeling” was a #1 hit for Dolly Parton. He started his own band again called Billy Vera & The Beaters in ‘80 or ‘81 and had a couple songs chart in the top 100 in 1981.
His career tanked in 1982 when he put out a solo album and his record label, Alfa closed. So what does a dude kicking around LA do to get his career back on track? Go record at Mystic of course!
Billy Vera The Mystic Sound of Billy Vera 12” Mystic Records, 1983
This record tanked too, but this story has a (rare) happy ending.
Vera was playing an LA club in 1985 when a TV producer from the show Family Ties heard him belt out one of his 1981 hits, “At This Moment.” Impressed by the song, the producer worked the tune into some pivotal romantic moments in the show. Fans of the TV series loved the song and apparently there was a stir to get it released again. In 1986 Rhino Records reissued Vera’s 80s material on an LP called By Request (The Best Of Billy Vera & The Beaters), and put out “At This Moment” as a single again. It became a #1 hit in January of 1987 and stayed on the charts for 21 weeks. He won a grammy in 2013 and now has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Hell yea, Billy!
Onto the punk stuff…
Aryan Disgrace F****t In The Family/Teenage S&M 7” Mystic Records, 1983
This record goes for over $300 online these days. The band was featured on the Killed By Death #12 compilation in 1996 which may have added to its collectability.
Battalion of Saints Second Coming 7” Mystic Records, 1983
The 2nd EP and first 7” by San Diego’s best hardcore band.
Battalion of Saints/S.V.D.B Split 7” Mystic Records, 1983
Ill Repute Oxnard - Land of No Toilets 7” Mystic Records, 1983
Ill Repute’s first record. Get the full story from the source in those 185 Miles South archives. I have interviews with Tony, John, Carl, and Jim. I also did a Substack post about them here.
Killroy 99 Bottles Mystic Records, 1983
Manifest Destiny S/T 12” Mystic Records, 1983
JB is kinda an ass, eh?
Mentors Live Whisky A Go Go / Cathay De Grande 12” Mystic Records, 1983
Mystic put out three 12” comps in 1983:
V/A Party or Go Home Mystic Records, 1983
This is one of the better Mystic comps. I’d argue that from 1980 to 1983, your average American Hardcore band that made it to the studio was pretty good. I’d disagree from 1984 on. This comp features a ton of notable bands and is worth checking out.
V/A The Sound of Hollywood Fanzine Destroy LA Mystic Records, 1983
This comp is notable for having Bad Religion songs that are even worse than anything off of Into The Unknown.
V/A The Sound of Hollywood Girls 12” Mystic Records, 1983
There were a few heavy metal records that came out on Mystic in 1983:
Bitch/Hellion Split 7” Mystic Records, 1983
Hellion Driving Hard/Black Knight 7” Mystic Records, 1983
Vengeance Way Past Go/Driving Force 7” Mystic Records, 1983
Post-punk/New Wave records:
Eleven Sons S/T 12” Mystic Records, 1983
Bone Cabal Five Budget Cuts 12” Mystic Records, 1983
Cone of Silence S/T 7” Mystic Records, 1983
1984 is the year of Nardcore. I can’t wait to get into it next time with all of you.
- ZN