Artist description Hard Rockin', screaming guitar, pounding bass, solid drums in a sweet to taste blend of pure overdose of Rock and Roll!

Music Style Rock and Roll

Musical Influences Savatage, Lillian Axe, Ozzy Osbourne

Artist History Mystic Cross are a hard driving rock and roll band from Houston, Texas, comprised of four fiercely talented members: Joe Cain (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Don LaFon (guitar, keyboards and backing vocals), John “Sampy” Sample (Bass and backing vocals), and Darren Davis (drums and backing vocals). Their musical style can be defined as hard rock and metal, but is not limited to solely one category. Mystic Cross' exhilerating live shows have been leaving audiences smitten for years, simply by delivering raw, edgy great rock 'n' roll with performances that pack a punch, discarding gimmicks, and diversifying their sound from fast and heavy to melodic, remaining frequently unpredictable. The fusion of Joe’s aggressive, yet harmonious vocals, Don’s soulfully searing guitar, Sampy's intensive rumbling bass and Darren’s thunderous rhythm section, blends into a high-energy show that continuously draws in their ever-growing loyal fan base, and connects with intrigued newcomers. Formed in May of 1993, Mystic Cross began as an all original band. Finding very few clubs in Houston to play all original material, the band began to incorporate some cover songs into their sets, while simultaneously enveloping their broadening audience with their original material. They have played to large crowds at virtually every major club in Houston, as well as traveling to other areas of Texas, Louisiana and Colorado, and their excursions have even ventured as far as Tokyo, Japan! Mystic Cross have opened for such headlining acts as Destiny's End, Dokken, Zebra, Lillian Axe, W.A.S.P., Dangerous Toys, Survivor, and the Flys. Lead vocalist Joe Cain even filled in for Mark Slaughter on two Slaughter tour dates in 1995. In 1997, Mystic Cross won the 3rd annual KLOL-Stevens and Pruett Battle of the Bands, the reward for this feat being the cherished opening spot for Queensryche at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in front of 15,000 screaming fans. Then in December 1998, Mystic Cross were chosen out of 500 bands to compete in Bandemonium - the Pepsi-Cola, Sam Goody, Gibson Guitars "Battle of the Bands". They traveled to Denver, Colorado, where they competed against a local Denver band, and won this regional competition, thus being acclaimed as one of the top ten bands in the country. So far, their discography includes two albums consisting of all-original material, with a third in development. Their songwriting began in 1995, when the band recorded its debut album "Visions Of Time". It garnered great reviews from the Houston press, and pushed the band to the forefront of the local music scene. Mystic Cross continued to evolve in their musical sound and style, and on March 24, 2000 the 2nd album “Shadows In The Mind” was released to throngs of fans, hungry for the latest fare from the fearsome foursome. The demand for this 14 track compilation quickly sold out of the first order, and with more orders to follow, helped to firmly establish Mystic Cross as a band whose future continues to brighten. Faith and energy have sustained them throughout a vastly changing environment, and Mystic Cross have adapted, while eluding some of the typical pitfalls that can easily engulf aspiring bands. Creative commotion has swirled from a frenzied blur into something unique and dazzling, gushing as original music that encompasses hard and heavy head-bangers to soul-soothing harmonies. The result is a natural state of euphoria, from which they have emerged clear-eyed and open-hearted.

Group Members Joe Cain - Lead vocalsDon LaFon - Lead Guitar, keyboardJohn "Sampy" Sample - Bass, vocalsDarren Davis - Drums

Instruments vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard, drums

Albums Visions Of Time, Shadows In The Mind

Press Reviews Mystic Cross wins "Bandemonium" in Denver, CO. at Ogden Theater - 1/22/99Denver, Co, USA, Earth - Ogden Theater - January 22, 1999. Mystic Cross, the soon-to-be-famous metal band from Houston is selected for the semi-finals in a national contest known as "Bandemonium". They were selected from a group of 400 bands to challenge local (Denver) alternative/grunge band, Sketch. The headliner was another alternative band called The Flys. Mystic Cross won the coin toss and chose to go second. Sketch was pretty much a garage band that had one drum beat and this writer only detected 3 different guitar chords. The singer was unintelligible (must have been the altitude.)Playing to an estimated crowd of 500, Mystic Cross came on with nothing but power metal, ripping through such head-banging favorites like "Fallin' Apart", "The Seventh of Never", "Weight of the World" and "Breakin' Down the Walls". The crowd, who were pretty much the 15 year old, tongue pierced, tattoo-laden, baggy pants, Eddy Vedder look-alikes were into the hard rock from the opening note. The climax of the show was the finale - turbo/mega/rocker "Shadows in the Mind", where a HUGE mosh pit broke out and yours truly got knocked on his ass!!Mystic Cross was the clear winner, striking another victory blow for metal. The bass player for The Flys, who was one of the judges and has been present for all the Bandemonium battles, told Mystic Cross that they were the ONLY band that got THEIR (The Flys') fans into it. He was VERY complimentary!! The next step is the judges will select 2 bands from the finalists (a total of 10 finalists from all over the United States) and the winners will open for a national band at Panama City Beach, Florida during the Spring Break celebration. There are supposed to be record labels there.Hopefully, this is another example that alternative's 15 minutes are up!! The new Mystic Cross CD will be out in early 2000.Mystic Cross - The Rock 5/21/99 __Houston has done it again! Mystic Cross is an awesome group of performers, combining great originals and covers to keep the crowd happy and moving. Even when Bobby Cayton broke a string, the band went on with the show. When Joe Cain broke out with "Electric Eye," "Over the Mountain" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls", the crowd went wild! Lead guitarist Don LaFon really ripped his riffs - something you shouldn�t miss. The band�s original, "Give Me A Sign," was my favorite. If you�re in the mood for music that makes you move, check them out at The Rock, Aug. 14. (Becky Miller)Don LaFon at SavaCon - 9/4/99__Lead guitarist Don LaFon traveled to Secaucus, New Jersey on September 4th for the first annual Savatage convention. Savatage members, along with producer and lyricist Paul O�Neil, got the opportunity to hear Mystic Cross�s cover of "Edge of Thorns" that will be included on a tribute CD honoring Criss Oliva. This was met with a very enthusiastic response. Don also used this opportunity to give copies of the Mystic Cross demo CD to Paul O�Neil and Jon Oliva. During the portion of the convention that showcased talents of some of the attending musicians, Don performed his original solo and was awarded a brand new TKL guitar case by the members of Savatage. The attending crowd went wild!Mystic Cross opens for Warrant!! - 10/8/99__Mystic Cross kicked off a big Rock 'n' Roll weekend Friday night when they opened up for Warrant at the Outback Pub. Dedicated hard rock fans paid a full concert price, and definitely got more than their money's worth! Mystic Cross played a powerful hour-long set consisting of all originals and a smoking cover of Black Sabbath's legendary opus, "Heaven And Hell". After beginning the show with the powerful "Man With No Name", the guys segued into the heavy and melodic "Weight Of The World". For a set that seemed to go on for just a few minutes, the band continued with incredible passion and hit the rowdy crowd with an onslaught of blistering rock and roll consisting of "Falling Apart", "Breaking Down The Walls", "Over The Edge", "Shadows In The Mind", "Your Life", and "Give Me A Sign", all from their upcoming CD. It was a special show that broke down the rock and roll walls, and from the looks of it, introduced them to many more new fans as well. By the time the "down boys" of Warrant came on, the energy level was in the red and still climbing from the infectious sounds of Mystic Cross. The evening was a rousing success for both bands, and a tasty treat for the true rock and roll fans in attendance. By closing time, all those with hearty rock and roll appetites longing for an incredible Rock show were more than fulfilled, yet were still hungry for more.Co-Authors: Matt Tritico and Teeny FrisbieMystic Maddness!! - November 5-7 1999__The first Metal Maddness weekend took place last weekend in a somewhat less traveled part of downtown Houston. Under the shadow of the imposing Enron Field, Peron from the Sidecar Pub and Steve of MetalMad.com set up the concert stage in a vacant lot and prepared for a rather unconventional Battle of the Bands. Ten Houston metal bands were challenged to put their popularity to the test in an attempt to draw the largest crowds. The top two bands would open for Quiet Riot on Sunday evening in the grand finale' of a weekend of metal and mayhem. Unfortunately, several conflicting events and a lack of promotion led to much smaller crowds than anticipated. However, that couldn't quell the spirit of the bands performing or the people ready to party all weekend long. Mystic Cross lit up the stage Friday night with their high - energy performance that got the small but very enthusiastic crowd up to the front of the stage from the very beginning. Just another of the fantastic live shows we have come to expect from the Cross, and when the votes were counted on Saturday night, it would be Mystic Cross opening for Quiet Riot on Sunday.Sunday dawned clear and cool - perfect weather for an outdoor concert. The show began with Houston band Ugly Wanda. These guys have really come a long way. Definitely worth checking out again. Then came Mystic Cross with an intensity that couldn't be matched. It was a killer set that was just what the crowd needed to get them pumped up for Quiet Riot. When Quiet Riot finally took the stage, they were met with the enthusiasm of a crowd twice the size. They played off the low turn-out very professionally - likening the atmosphere to that of one of Randy Rhoads' backyard "kegger" parties in the '70's - and then proceeded to ROCK!!! These guys played with the same energy that they have had for years and were obviously having fun on stage. Kevin Dubrow's comedic banter had the crowd in stitches. Rudy Sarzo made his presence back in the band known with some amazing bass riffs. Drummer Frankie Banali pounded the skins like a crazy man and guitarist Carlos Cavazo's solos were searing. It was like our own private party with Quiet Riot, and everyone had a blast!Metal Madness weekend was an excellent way to show support for the Houston metal scene. Thanks again to Peron, Steve, Evans Music City, and all who work so hard to try to keep the metal alive in Houston!Special thanks to MetalMad and the Sidecar Pub for helping to sponsor the show. For more on the Quiet Riot show check out Metal Mad's concert review.Don't miss Don LaFon performing with Project Rivera! - January 21st, 2000__Mystic Cross's own "Supreme Shredder" Don LaFon will be sharing the stage once again with Project Rivera on Friday, January 21st, at the Outback Pub. The Project, headed by James Rivera of nationally known Destiny's End, features members of Houston metal bands in an all encompassing array of talent. Any fan of metal and anyone that has witnessed Don's riveting performances won't want to miss this one!!

Location Houston, TX - USA

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