Bio
Mystic Cross was formed in Houston, Texas in May of 1993 by Rob Weaver (guitar), Austin Gartman (drums), Henri Banrevi (keyboards), and Zak Saiz (bass). The band was later joined by vocalist Joe Cain. 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, to broaden the audience for their original material.
Mystic Cross released its debut CD “Visions of Time” in 1995 with Joe Cain, Rob Weaver, Austin Gartman, Zack Saiz, and Rick Flores, who had taken Henri Banrevi’s place on keyboards. It garnered great reviews from the Houston press, and pushed the band to the forefront of the local music scene.
In 1997, Mystic Cross won the 3rd annual KLOL-Stevens and Pruett Battle of the Band. The reward for this was opening for Queensryche at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion.
In December 1998, Mystic Cross was chosen to compete in Bandemonium - the Pepsi-Cola, Sam Goody, Gibson Guitars "Battle of the Bands". Mystic Cross traveled to Denver, Colorado where they competed against a local Denver band, and won this regional competition, thus being named one of the top ten bands in the country.
Mystic Cross continued to evolve in their musical sound and style and on March 24, 2000, the bands 2nd CD “Shadows In The Mind” was released with Joe Cain, Austin Gartman, Don LaFon on guitar, and Bobby Cayton on bass.
Shortly after the release of “Shadows In The Mind” came more changes for Mystic Cross. The departure of original drummer Austin Gartman, and bassist Bobby Cayton brought in new members, Darren Davis on drums, and John Sample on bass. This lineup would play together until 2004.
In Spring/Summer of 2004 Joe Cain, the only original member of Mystic Cross, moved away. While the band has never announced a breakup, the band has not played since December 2004. The remaining members of Mystic Cross, Don LaFon, Darren Davis, and Sampy, went on to form Six Minute Century.
Over the years Mystic Cross played to large crowds at virtually every major club in Houston, as well as traveling to other areas of Texas, Louisiana, and Colorado, and Tokyo, Japan. Mystic Cross opened for such headlining acts as Dokken, Quiet Riot, Zebra, Lillian Axe, W.A.S.P., Dangerous Toys, Survivor, and The Flies. Lead vocalist Joe Cain even filled in for a sick Mark Slaughter on two Slaughter tour dates in 1995.
In January 2007, there will be a reunion show of the lineup that recorded “Shadows In The Mind” for bassist Bobby Cayton’s birthday party.