Blind Illusion

by Eduardo Rivadavia Formed in late-'70s San Francisco by vocalist David Godfrey, guitarist Mike Biederman, bassist Alvin Petty, and drummer Brett Hern, Blind Illusion were for years one of the Bay Area's most popular underground metal bands. But the band was never more than an occasional concern for all involved, and went through numerous incarnations over the years. By 1988, Godfrey had left to form thrash metal also-rans Heathen, and after a brief stint with Blue Öyster Cult, Biederman reconvened Blind Illusion with the help of recently ousted Possessed guitarist Larry LaLonde, bassist Les Claypool, and drummer Mike Miner. Released the same year by English indie Music for Nations, The Sane Asylum was a quite unique, highly technical thrash metal album, but it ultimately got lost in the Bay Area thrash scene shuffle, and the bandmembers soon went their separate ways. Claypool and LaLonde would go on to greater fame and fortune with alt-rock weirdos Primus, while Biederman has kept himself busy with session work. Rumor also has it that a second Blind Illusion album entitled The Medicine Show is in the can and awaiting release.