Blind Illusion

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Blind Illusion
Origin San Francisco, California, USA
Genre(s) Thrash metal
Progressive metal
Years active 1979 - 1989
Label(s) Combat Records
Associated acts Primus
Heathen
Blue Öyster Cult
Former members
Marc Biedermann
Mark Strausberg
Vern McElroy
Wes Anderson
Keith Lewis
Hans Larson
David Godfrey
Tim Agnello
Pat Woods
John Marshall
Larry LaLonde
Evan McKastey
Alvin Petty
Chris Olsen
Geno Side
Les Claypool
Brian Kehoe
Bret Hern
Bill Ticson
Mike Miner
Ben Hevoroh

Blind Illusion was a progressive thrash metal band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1979 by lead guitarist and chief songwriter Marc Biedermann, the band had an extremely unstable lineup (Biedermann being the only constant member) and even went through a few stylistic changes in their time. Their only album was called The Sane Asylum.

Bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry LaLonde went on to form the alternative metal band Primus.


Contents

[edit] History

Blind Illusion was formed in 1979 by-then-high-school student Marc Biedermann along with many other unspecified members including keyboardist Ben Hevoroh and drummer Bret Hern. They were originally a progressive rock band.

Around the early 80's the lineup for Blind Illusion had completely changed except for Biedermann. The band now featured vocalist David Godfrey, guitarist Pat Woods, bassist Geno Side and drummer Mike Miner (formerly of local speed metal band Blizzard. The band had also made a stylistic change to thrash metal, becoming major players on the local Bay Area thrash metal scene, but retained much of their progressive rock influence. This lineup recorded many demos and largely put Blind Illusion on the map.

In the mid 80's David Godfrey left to join another local thrash band called Heathen. Guitarist Pat Woods briefly took over vocal duties before he himself left Blind Illusion. Mark Biedermann took over vocal duties. Then Metallica hopeful bassist Les Claypool replaced Geno Side on bass, adding a new funk influence into the band's bass lines. They released a demo that was produced by Kirk Hammett. The band also added second guitarist John Marshall, later of Metal Church, who was replaced by former Possessed guitarist Larry LaLonde.

Around 1987 the band finally got a record deal with Combat Records, with whom the band recorded their only official release, The Sane Asylum. The album was considered a thrash classic, featuring now famous tracks such as "Kamikaze" and "Smash The Crystal". The band went on a successful tour for the album but then began to fall apart around 1988. Claypool left towards the end of the tour to reform his old band Primus. LaLonde followed out the door to join Claypool and Miner left at an unspecified time. Biedermann put together a new lineup featuring guitarist Mark Strausberg, bassist Vern McElroy, and drummer Wes Anderson. The lineup began working on a new album The Medicine Show but imploded before the album was released.

Mark Biedermann went on to briefly play bass for Heathen on their Victims of Deception album and contributed guitar leads to a Blue Öyster Cult album. Meanwhile Claypool and LaLonde went on to near mainstream success with Primus. Currently Biedermann is apparently trying to get Medicine Show released as well as working on a new Blind Illusion album and re-releasing Sane Asylum (which has become an extremely rare collectors item)

It had been confirmed that on September 10th, Metal Mind Productions (who reissued Heathen's Victims of Deception) will be reissuing The Sane Asylum in a limited edition 2000 copy release.[1]

[edit] Discography

  • 1983 Demo (Demo)(1983)
  • Trilogy Of Terror (Demo)(1985)
  • Blood Shower (Demo)(1986)
  • Slow Death (Demo)(1986)
  • Smash The Crystal - Eastern Front (Demo)(1986)
  • The Sane Asylum (Full Length) (1988)
  • Psychedelic Symphony (Unreleased) (Recorded in 1989)

[edit] Members

[edit] Last known lineup

  • Marc Biedermann - Lead/rhythm guitars, lead vocals (1979-1989)
  • Mark Strausberg - Lead/rhytm guitars (1988-1989)
  • Vern McElroy - Bass (1988-1989)
  • Wes Anderson - Drums (1988-1989)

[edit] Other former members

Vocals

Guitars

Bass

Drums

  • Bret Hern (1979-1981)
  • Victor Griffith (1981-1982)
  • Bill Ticson (1982-1983)
  • Mike Miner (1983-1988)

Keyboards

  • Ben Heveroh (1979-198?)

(There were many other members unknown).

[edit] References

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