Mystic Records is closely associated with the personality of its founder, Doug Moody, regarded as a pioneer of the independent rock and roll industry.[1] Moody's father, Walter Moody, was himself an influential figure in the music industry, running EMI Studios (Abbey Road Studios) in London during the 1930s.[2] In 1953 the family moved to the United States.[2]
Seeking another place in the music industry outside of the major record labels, Moody opened a recording studio in Hollywood, California, at the location of the old Mustang Studios, made famous as a facility used by the Bobby Fuller Four.[2] Moody changed out the studio's superannuated 2 track mono recording gear and replaced it with state of the art 8-track stereo gear, leaving the recording rooms otherwise largely unaltered.[2]
In tandem with the studio was launched the Mystic Records label. During the label's peak period of activity, from 1982 through 1990, Mystic released over 200 records, many of which were multi-band compilations, involving the work of several hundred artists.[3] Emerging as a prominent force in the Southern Californiapunk rock music scene, Mystic put out an array of alternative bands, with an emphasis on the hardcore punk, crossover thrash, and speed metal styles in vogue during this period.[3]
Moody claimed to have invested $70,000 in the label in 1983 alone, but taking into account recording costs and sales figures averaging about 2,000 copies per record, found the operation with about $40,000 left to recover at the end of that year.[2] Bands would purchase studio time, with Mystic recouping its investment against royalties due, which in 1984 Moody claimed was approximately 40 cents per record.[2]
In conjunction with the label, Moody and Mystic established its own wholesale record distribution branch, MD Distributing.[2] This distributorship handled not only Mystic releases but those of other labels as well.[2]
Mystic Records has been credited with several innovations in the independent record industry of the 1980s. It introduced Super Sevens (7-inch 33rpm extended play records featuring seven songs) and helped popularize the manufacture of limited edition records on colored vinyl.[3] one of the most interesting releases was from the band titled “The Sharks” (later Shark Island). This custom shaped single, executive producer Jeff Willmitt, had 3 outer edge “shark fins” that when inserted into the sleeve appeared to cut through the water. The label was also influential through its release of multi-band compilation albums, such as its "The Sound of Hollywood" series, and promotional label samplers making use of album tracks, typified by its "Mystic Sampler" series.[3]
Additionally, Moody worked to define new genres of music such as "METALCORE," which he described in 1984 Press Release as "a mixture of hardcore, fast paced thrash music with double drumming & Heavy Metal screaming guitars."[4]
Moody's key collaborators on the Mystic Records project included producer and engineer Phillip "Philco" Raves, sales and distribution Randy Boyd of Cobraside Distribution, promotion director Mark Wilkins,[4] and Candace D'Andrea who is Chief Operating Officer.[3]
