Blind Illusion

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Blind Illusion is an American progressive thrash metal band that was part of the Bay Area thrash metal scene. 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. They only released one studio album throughout their career, The Sane Asylum.

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

Biedermann reformed Blind Illusion in 2009.

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 in San Francisco, California. They were originally a progressive rock band.

By the early 1980s, the band's lineup had completely changed except for Biedermann. The band now featured vocalist: David White-Godfrey, guitarist: Pat Woods, bassist: Gene Gilson aka Geno, 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 increased Blind Illusion's popularity.

In the mid 1980s, David Godfrey left, along with Mark Serale. Pat Woods joined replacing Serale. Mark Biedermann took over vocal duties. Then Metallica hopeful bassist Les Claypool replaced Gene Gilson on bass, adding a new funk influence into the band's bass lines. They released a demo that was produced by Metallica guitarist 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, which was released in 1988. The album was considered a thrash classic, featuring now famous^{[citation needed]} 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 in the middle of the tour (and was replaced by friend Adam Gates) 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 in 1989, The Medicine Show, but disbanded before the album was released.

After Blind Illusion broke up, Mark Biedermann briefly played bass for Heathen on their Victims of Deception album and contributed guitar leads for Blue Öyster Cult on their Imaginos album. Meanwhile, Claypool and LaLonde went on to near mainstream success with Primus.

Currently, Biedermann is apparently trying to get The Medicine Show released as well as working on a new Blind Illusion album. The Sane Asylum has become an extremely rare collectors item over the years, but was finally re-released by Metal Mind Productions in a limited edition of 2000 copies on October 2, 2007.^[1]

The band has recently reunited as of 2009.

Discography

Studio albums

• The Sane Asylum (1987)
• Psychedelic Symphony (Unreleased, 1989)

Demos

• 1983 Demo (1983)
• Trilogy of Terror (1985)
• Blood Shower (1986)
• Slow Death (1986)

Contributed the song "Smash the Crystal" to a live compilation album Eastern Front (1986)

Members

Current lineup

• Marc Biedermann - Lead/rhythm guitars, lead vocals (1979-present)
• Danny Harcourt - Bass (2009-present)
• Robert Nystrom - Drums (2009-present)

Other former members

Vocals

• Keith Lewis (1979)
• David Godfrey (1980-1985)
• Tim Agnello (unspecified time)

Guitars

• Hans Larson (1982-1983)
• Pat Woods (1983-1986) (also vocals)
• John Marshall (1987)
• Larry LaLonde (1987-1988)
• Evan McCaskey (unspecified time)
• Mark Strausberg (1988-1989)

Bass

• Alvin Petty (1979)
• Les Claypool (1979-1981), (1986-1988)
• Chris Olsen (1982-1983)
• Geno Side Gene Gilson(1983-1986)
• Larry LaLonde (1988)
• Adam Gates (1987)
• Brian Kehoe (unspecifed time)
• Vern McElroy (1988-1989)

Drums

• Bret Hern (1979-1981)
• Victor Griffith (1981-1982)
• Bill Ticson (1982-1983)
• Mike Miner (1983-1988)
• Wes Anderson (1988-1989)

Keyboards

• Ben Heveroh (1979-198?)

(There were several other members unknown)

References

• Discogs entry