Static electricity pulled the rubber mat right off the Turntable!

If you have a static issue, Gruv Glide will totally cure it.  Period.  I'm not saying it sounds better, it will NEVER hurt your records or any other things that make people start lining up like Gangs of NY.  IMO, based on years of use, at least in the past, it totally takes care of static and leaves a very little bit of gunk on the record, which the stylus removes after a play or 2 at most.  It has never harmed one of my records and made them much more enjoyable to play without electrocuting myself.  Now that I have a Basis with a grounded bearing, static doesn't seem to be an issue, so I don't use it, but I would definitely recommend it for you.  It will make your analog life better I think. 

It's good that you're open minded about GG.  I've used it on brand new records before I had a RCM and I thought it worked well,  Just follow the directions and don't use too much, but don't use too little either or you will end up charging the records like rubbing a balloon on your shirt till it sticks to the wall.  2 short bursts, rub the pads together and apply it smoothly to the surface.  Maybe allow the stylus to play through 1 time to remove excess residue and you're set.  

Amazing.  Who would have thought?
It's nice not having to fight with static discharges and go through a ritual every time you put on a record, isn't it?

I've seen several people get so hung up with analog that they stopped playing records because it's "too much trouble".  Plus they are always obsessing about alignment, VTA, etc, etc.  IMO, analog should be fun.  Yes, we should try to get an accurate alignment, turntable speed and take good care of our records. And I know that nobody likes smearing stuff on the records if they don't have to, including me.  But when static really becomes an issue to where it's making playing records not enjoyable, it's time to make some compromise and give in to something that helps the issue in a simple way, without static guns, magic stones, spraying down the house with fabric softener, humidifiers and god knows what else.  Just try to enjoy.  Really.