Mystic Records Part 5 (1985)
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.
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1985 was one of the most important years for punk in its history with new lanes being carved out that exist to this day. Corrosion of Conformity put out Animosity - basically the Crossover blueprint. You had the Revolution Summer stuff happen in DC with first wave Hardcore dudes creating emo. Youth of Today put out Can’t Close My Eyes, planting the seeds for the 2nd wave of USHC and the whole late 80’s straight edge scene. Punk was shifting in new directions and you can’t expect a 60 something dude like Doug Moody to be on the cutting edge of it.
This was the last year that Mystic would put out anything considered classic, most notably the first RKL LP Keep Laughing and the Dr. Know Burn 7”. Also in the killer column, you get Scared Straight, PTL Klub, Insolents, and Rat Pack. In the not-so-great-but-notable bucket, you get the first NOFX 7” and the soundtrack for a terrible flick called Du-beat-e-o. The poster for the movie is kind of sick though, with the Screamers logo and it’s cool to see a soundtrack that has “Fist Fuck” by Dr. Know alongside a Chuck E. Weiss track (I guess).
1985 saw Mystic release 26 records, topping their 1984 record of 25 by 1 (by my count). Of course it’s Mystic so I’m probably off by one or two. Regardless, these were the two most prolific years for the label. In ‘86, they’d only release 11 records and they’d never have a bonafide classic like RKL again.
1985 was truly the end of an era for Mystic. Doug Moody moved to San Diego County and Carlsbad or San Marcos P.O. Box addresses start to appear on all things Mystic. I’m unsure of if the Mystic Sound Studio on Selma Avenue closed in late 1985 or sometime in 1986. Coincidentally, this all coincided with the Cathay De Grande closing, which was across the street from Mystic and a de facto pipeline to the label of sorts.
1985 fun fact: Guns N’ Roses recorded their first demo with the Appetite For Destruction lineup at Mystic in August of 1985.
Alright, let’s get into it….
RKL Keep Laughing LP Mystic Records, 1985
One of the most beloved bands and LPs on Mystic. This is RKL’s first LP, following up their 7” from the previous year. It features the iconic artwork of Dan Sites on the front and back covers. When you hear those first notes of “Think Positive” - you’re slamming.
Dr. Know Burn 7” Mystic Records, 1985
The final authorized Dr. Know record on Mystic and their last straight up hardcore punk output before they signed to Death Records and moved in a more metal direction. “Watch It Burn” might be their best song.
NOFX S/T 7” Mystic Records, 1985
NOFX put out their debut record on Mystic in 1985. Nine years later, they’d put out “Lori Meyers” which rips.
Scared Straight S/T 7” Mystic Records, 1985
Check out the Scott Radinsky interview on the 185 Miles South Podcast. It’s one of my favorite interviews that I did. Go Dodgers!
Rat Pack S/T 7” Mystic Records, 1985
This is a killer and somewhat underrated 7”. Rat Pack mixes 80’s mid-tempo So Cal Punk and hard rock sleaze really well.
Insolents Spout Off 7” Mystic Records, 1985
Ripping Punk 7”. Mystic put out the San Diego band Manifest Destiny’s LP & 7” in ‘83 and ‘84 respectively. Here’s another San Diego band on the label.
Don’t No S/T 7” Mystic Records, 1985
First record by this LA band. Ripping in parts but held back by a subpar Mystic Studio recording. Ironically, this sounds like this band would’ve fit perfectly on This Is Boston, Not LA.
Flower Leperds S/T 7” Mystic Records, 1985
Cool 7” that walks the line nicely between Punk and Deathrock. I used to hate this 7” when I was younger cuz the songs were so long but I like it now…kinda.
Doggy Style Work As One 7” Mystic Records, 1985
Super Seven repress is shown above along with a loose original with no cover. This is a pretty annoying, silly party Punk record. “Donut Shop Rock” is infectious in a ridiculous way though, I guess. A couple of these dudes went on to do Kottonmouth Kings cuz of course they did. Want to know more? I got you…ICP is on the case.
Agression S/T LP Mystic Records, 1985
Agression’s follow up LP to 1983’s Don’t Be Mistaken is a real mixed bag. “Rich Kids,” “Ripped Off,” “The Keeper,” and “I’m Alive” are all rippers. You get three re-recordings: “Dear John Letter” previously from the 1982 Someone Got Their Head Kicked In comp, and both songs from the Nardcore compilation under different names. The other stuff is kind of them searching for a sound, dabbling a bit in bluesy stuff and a bit in more metal stuff, neither capturing the power of their straight up So Cal Punk sound.
Agression Bootleg LP Bootleg Records, 1985
The first record on another pointless Mystic sub-label called Bootleg Records is this live Agression LP recorded at CBGB in 1985. It has a pretty good recording and is a cool record.
Ill Repute Omelette LP Mystic Records, 1985
In 1985 it started to seem like Mystic began going overboard with just putting out releases for the sake of having new releases. Quantity over quality. Did Ill Repute need to have a “greatest hits” collection come out only two years after their first 7”? Probably not. Did any band ever need to be depicted in an omelette? Debatable.
Government Issue Give Us Stab Or Give Us Death 7” Mystic Records, 1985
In the spirit of quantity over quality, Government Issue released three (!!) live records on Mystic in 1985. Well, technically two but one has a 7” version and a 12” version. They surprisingly sound pretty good. “Plain To See?” You’re slamming.
Government Issue Give Us Stab Or Give Us Death 12” Mystic Records, 1985
Government Issue Live! LP Mystic Records, 1985
PTL Klub 13 Commandments LP Mystic Records, 1985
Boston band that brings the heat. “Warning” is so hard.
Mystic Records is known for compilations. Notice I didn’t say classic compilations (ha ha). The Nardcore comp is of course classic as is Copulation, if you ask me, but everything else varies in quality. 1985 saw a handful of comps come out.
V/A Super Seven Sampler #1 7” Mystic Records, 1985
V/A Super Seven Sampler #2 7” Mystic Records, 1985
V/A Mystic Sampler #2 LP Mystic Records, 1985
Where logos collide. Old Mystic logo on side A label. New logo on side B and it appears they cheaped out and re-used Ill Repute labels (?).
V/A Let’s Die LP Mystic Records, 1985
Punk/Deathrock comp.
V/A Clockwork Orange County LP Mystic Records, 1985
Pretty mid comp all things considered and a major whiff on the vinyl color selection. Kinda cool to have an unreleased D.I. song on Mystic though, even if it is them doing a terrible, almost unrecognizable Stooges cover.
V/A Covers LP Mystic Records, 1985
This comp is in the running for worst punk record ever.
V/A The Sound of Hollywood #5: Du-Beat-E-O Mystic Records, 1985
Soundtrack for this flick. I couldn’t find it online so I ripped it for y’all.
Non-punk stuff…
V/A Found Objects Atmosphear Records, 1985
Another Mystic spinoff label. Weirdo ass record that’s pretty cool in parts.
“ATMOSPHEAR was formed by the MYSTIC RECORD GROUP as a label for creative musicians and inter-media artists, and to allow these individuals to record and release music that reaches beyond traditional limits. You are holding in your hands, ATMOSPHEAR’s debut release, FOUND OBJECTS: a compilation. FOUND OBJECTS does not necessarily define the limits of what ATMOSPHEAR will offer in the future, but rather points to some of the possibilities. Upcoming releases on ATMOSPHEAR will feature and even wider variety of music from sources throughout the world.”
From the Found Objects insert
The label lasted one release.
Fusha Mutant Princess Dedicated To Marz 12” Mystic Records, 1985
This is the only record on Mystic from 1985 that I don’t have, so if you have it, get at me. I can’t find any info about it online but Discogs says it’s synth/electronic/instrumental. If so, it would be one of the final records on Mystic that isn’t punk related.
Weekertin Daze What Will You Do To Rock Mystic Records, 1985
Other than possibly that Fusha record, this is the final non-punk/thrash album on Mystic. It’s just a straight up shitty Sunset Strip rock ‘n' roll record. I ripped it since I couldn’t find any existence of it online.
Some miscellaneous 1985 Mystic ads…
Onward to 1986, but there will be no Screaming For Change, Age of Quarrel, or Equalizing Distort equivalent on Mystic.
- ZN
Excellent yet again. A few things worth noting: the Keeper on the Agression s/t is one of the rippingest songs ever, the guitarist of Dont No is Warren from the mark II Vandals and Brian Baker was for some reason a member of Doggy Style at some point. Every band should be depicted as an omelette as that is the essence of what being a band means.