What an awesome night, I can’t even begin to explain how great that show was. There was hundreds of people packed into the Starlite Room ready to rock out to some wicked progressive hard rock, and they got exactly what they asked for. Being back on stage felt like I had just come home after a year long vacation. I remember when I got the phone call asking us to open for ASHES dIVIDE and when I think about it, it still sends chills up my spine. I’m amazed that we pulled it off, and sounding freaking awesome all the while.

Two weeks ago if you would’ve asked me when our next show was going to be, I would’ve most likely said sometime in October, but things can change in a drop of a hat. One phone call had me scrambling to find a new bass player, a jam space, a sound system, etc. There are somethings in life that you just don’t pass up, and this was one of them. With the whole band being long time fans of A Perfect Circle there was no way in hell we weren’t going to step up to the plate for this show.

Our last gig was almost ten months ago, and we hadn’t rehearsed as a full band in a very very long time. After my insane scrambling to pull everything together for practicing, it left us with about 10 days to rehearse before the show… and we didn’t waste anytime. We had 8 rehearsals in just 10 days; from having the cops come by for our noise complaint to playing in plus thirty heat above a convenience store, we rocked out hard and heavy in our jam space. It was truly a testament to our desire to be on stage with Ashes Divide and get out there in the scene again.

In the end it all payed off, and the show was a huge success. Our new bass played did an amazing job, our drummer rocked out harder than I have seen in ages, and Jay and I had an freaking great time on stage. Special thanks to Art from the Starlite Room, Byron from Live Nation, Kevin and the boys from Portal, and obviously all the guys in Ashes Divide. AND a BIG thanks to all the fans that came out and the people that helped to make the show possible. We appreciate all the support over the years and don’t intend on disappointing.

Shane Lamotte
shane@livingillusion.com
http://www.livingillusion.com/wordpress/

Edson Kinsmen Soft Ball Tournament – Edson, AB August 4th 2007

Just to give you a little back story on what this event is all about here is what their website has to say about it: “The Edson Kin Slo-Pitch Tournament is the largest of it’s kind on the planet, played at the worlds largest ball park “Vision Park” with 24 regulation sized diamonds in one park! This Tournament plays host to 256 Regular Division Teams and a 16 Team “Masters” Division, one HUGE beer gardens and thousands of players, fans and spectators. Can you say PARTY!?”

So this was the event that we got invited to play, and man we’re we stoked. It is boasted as having one of the largest permanent beer garden structures known to exist anywhere. This event even got listed as Maxim Magazines #2 Event to Get Laid At. It was an insane party, at least 5000 people were there rocking out like no tomorrow… was one hell of a memorable experience.

It lasted all weekend though we only played on Saturday night. Amber Haydey played on Friday and Brad Johner played on Sunday. As for our part of the event itself, we arrived in the afternoon on Saturday for sound check. After a couple of hours of getting all the sound issues hammered out we had finished and we’re ready to get some food before we had to take the stage.

Around 10:00 PM we hit the stage to thousands upon thousands of people ready to rock. The crowd was amazing. It was a sea of people in front of us having the time of their life. All I can say is “AWESOME!” We decided to close our first set with a cover “Killing in the Name of” which I sang, and got some of the crowd involved in too. Was definitely the high point for me that night.

As the night went on more and more people starting occupying the beer gardens, and we still had a second set to play. It was even rowdier and crazier during our second set. Playing for that amount of people on stage is just amazing. There is no real way to describe what it’s like, you just have to be there and experience it.

When all was said and done, it was a good night, lots of rock and lots of beer. And hey, even the ‘rents came out and took part in the experience. I could probably go on and on about the whole thing, but all in all, it rocked and I can’t wait to do it again.

Special Thanks to Lee Freezen of Freezen Hot Music, the Kinsmen Slo-Pitch Tournament and everyone who came out.

Keep Smiling,
Shane Lamotte

The Locker Room – Edmonton, AB – August 3rd 2007

The night before we had to play the Edson Kinsmen Slo-Pitch Tournament we decided it would be a good idea to play a gig and get our feet wet seeing as we hadn’t played for a live audience in a few months (It was essentially an extra practice). Luckily I was able to get a last minute gig through a friend of mine Paul Husband.

Paul connected me to the people at The Locker Room, whom oddly enough I already knew. It was Art from the old metal act Methodical Breed (Art was also in a band years ago with our drummer Sean). Art set us up a last minute gig at their venue downtown over by the Starlite room.

Art is there booking manager and head chef… odd combination but awesome none the less. So we got there pretty early as we had to run our own sound that night. After fighting with there system and multiple calls to there usual sound guy we got everything hammered out and set up.

A few of our friends made there way over to the venue and there were a good number of people in the room for us to play to. We essentially played the same two sets of music that we were going to be playing the next night in Edson. Needless to say the crowd was impressed.

I was surprised by how nice and low key the venue was, people were actually coming in off the street and into the bar simply because they heard us playing…. Got to love that. We rocked out our usually style, sold some CDs, and T-Shirts, and like it began the night was over.

We got some free beer and hung out with friends for a while before we called it a night and tore all our gear down.

Heh…
Shane Lamotte

Starlite Room w/ Econoline Crush – Edmonton, AB – April 16th 2007

This was probably by far one of my most memorable experiences to date with being in a band. Between the simple email from Brent Oliver saying “Want to open for Econoline Crush” all the way to the actually experience of playing the gig itself, the whole thing kicked serious ass.

Growing up in the 90’s and early 2000’s Econoline Crush was a household name in Canada. Fuck I was on cloud nine for at least a month when I knew we got the gig, plus we were getting to play with “Art of Dying” another seriously kick ass Canadian indie rock band. Did I mention this gig was amazing?

So like any other gig we arrived for sound check with all our gear, but as we looked around we realized we were playing on monkey toys compared to the Stacks of gear that the other guys brought with them. After we loaded in I got introduced to Trevor Hurst lead singer of Econoline Crush. That was pretty cool. I also got to hang out with the guys in the green room.

So as the night progressed we were first to go on to a pretty packed house, playing our style of Toolish hard rock which every one thoroughly enjoyed. Being on stage knowing that in just a little bit Econoline Crush would be coming out was a very cool experience. Shit I listened to these guys when I was in Middle School. Big Shiny Tunes much?

So we played had a great time, and stuck around for the rest of the night to hang out and watch every one else play. After every one was finished I got a couple pictures of myself with Trevor and then called it a night (had to work in the morning).

In a nut shell, it was phenomenal and I can’t wait til’ I’m on the road playing with more great bands like the ones that we got to play with on this night.

Special thanks to Brent Oliver for thinking of us!

Happy & Fulfilled,
Shane Lamotte

Rock at the Ranch – Rangeton AB – Sept 2nd 2006

We we’re invited to play the “Band Ranch” event which happens every year and features a slew of bands. The event is organized and head up by Darryl Bowers. He saw us play at a show earlier in the year and invited us to come out.

some of the other bands that we played with include: S.O.S., Redline, Freeburn, Flynch, Scratch, Swarm, Fatty Jones, Rigveda, Portal, Shattered Core, Foof Doogan. All the bands we’re from different parts of Alberta.

We we’re slotted to play on Saturday night before Rigveda and Portal took the stage. A quick drive out of the city to the location and it was already time to do a sound check. Short and sweet (just the way sound check should be) we were ready to take the stage. As we were playing we could literally see groups of people making there way down to the stage.

The event is outdoors and there is camping on site, so as we played more and more people starting making there way out. It was pretty cool. By the time we had finished our set there was a nice following of people rockin’ out.

Since the night was still young we stuck around and watched the next bands that we were playing with. Every one at the event was very talented…

We hope to play another Band Ranch soon, and want to give a great big thanks to Darryl for calling us out to play. Next time, I’ll definitely be staying the night and getting wasted with the rest of the campers!

Happy & Fulfilled,
Shane Lamotte

Kings Knight Pub (Jet Nightclub) – Edmonton, AB – Sept 1st 2006

This was quite the show. Why you ask? Because previous members of the first incarnation of Living Illusion were at show and it was tons of fun. Some friends from Vancouver Island were at the show, including Brody Slater, Stacy Mack and Christina Cholfi.

So any way, we got the gig through the previous bass player of Stereo Therapy, Phil. We we’re playing with a bunch of bands for an Indie Rock weekend… As a side note, the Kings Knight Pub is now The Jet Nightclub. We played with Okacadet, Face First, Lipht, and The Omega Theory.

It was like any usual gig, except with more drinking, partying and rockin’ out. This was not the first time we played the Kings Knight so sound check along with every thing else was a breeze. When we were ready to play the crowd was full and the drinks were flowing.

We played some songs that we don’t usually play that night in honor of the previous LI members… You Got to… is 6 years old.

After the usual set we sold some CDs and hung out for the rest of the bands… well at least until Brody got kicked out for being toooo drunk. That was quite the experience. I swear to god the bouncer was going to kill him, but luckily I was there to save the day and get him the hell out of there before shit got outta hand.

Was definitely an interesting night.

If I could remember more I would write about it… hah…

Happy and Fulfilled,
Shane Lamotte

Edson Festival – Edson AB – August 18th 2006

What can I say….

So we got this gig through our friend in Edson Lee Freezen who was doing the sound for this event. It was the Carnival that was held once a year in Edson. When we left Edmonton to make the trek to Edson it was windy and grey skies were every where. Speeding like no tomorrow to make it on time I’m surprised I didn’t get stopped for speeding.

When we arrived at the event, the clouds were coming in… this is never a good thing for outdoor gigs. There were other bands also playing to a group of Carnival goers, whom had been watching… When they were done we started loading our gear on stage.

There was going to be no sound check for this. 15 minutes later we were playing our songs and rocking out. There was a big crowd, nice size, every one was enjoying it… Until it hit. Thunder crashing you could hear the rain coming. Huge amounts of rain and what may have been hail started coming down.

Half way through our set all of the gear was starting to get wet and malfunction, my amp and pedals were going wacky as all hell…. But that didn’t stop us, our sound guy Lee was running around like a mad man cover gear with Tarps and doing his best…. As they say, the show must go on.

Aside from the complications, we had a solid crowd of hard core fans that stuck around and watched us finish our set as best we could. They even asked where they could find the tabs to our songs. Edson is such an awesome town.

Props to Lee for calling us out and to every one who stayed to watch, it was hella fun and maybe next time we’ll bring a bigger tent to play in.

Happy and Fulfilled,
Shane Lamotte

Sidetrack Cafe – Edmonton AB – Aug 15th ’06 – Past

I got an email from Brent Oliver the former promoter for the Sidetrack (I say former because sadly the Sidetrack Café has closed down for good, and it will be missed, 25 years of serving the Edmonton rock scene). So I got an email, and it was Brent asking me if we wanted to Headline a gig at the Sidetrack Café. We agreed right away.

After finding parking right down town we loaded all the gear inside into the non-existent green room (pretty much a hallway next to the stage). As always the Sidetrack looked amazing inside and there stage size was nice and big. We we’re playing with the bands.. yah I forgot there names, but they were both great.

Playing so many gigs over the summer everything started to feel like second nature to us. Getting prepared, talking to the promoter, sound guy, grabbing a drink, waiting for our set. All these things now that were so new at one point were now very familiar. It was nice to be back at the Sidetrack almost exactly a year since our CD release party there.

Our set was great, great crowd, great bands that played alongside us and an all around awesome time. We played the usual 45 minute set and ended heavy and hard. After our set Brent (Sidetrack Promoter) came up to us and told us that he thinks we’re one of the best hard rock bands in the city of Edmonton, it was totally awesome coming from a music scene veteran like him.

Even though we didn’t know it, this was the last gig that we ever got to play there (as it’s now closed as of February 15th 2007) I’d just like to say that all the staff there were amazing. The promoters, managers, bar tenders, and servers all treated the band well and even the owner came out during our CD release party and told us that we put on a great show.

We loved this venue and the Café will be missed; were happy that we got to play at an amazing venue multiple times (at multiple locations).

Thanks for everything, Rest in Peace.

- Shane Lamotte

The Northern – Terrace BC – July 30th ’06

This gig should definitely be classified as a journey. Terrace, for those of you who don’t know, is on the east side of British Columbia, about an hour from the north pacific coast. Its closest city is Prince Rupert, which is a fishing/harbor town (at least that’s what I hear).

The drive from Edmonton was long but we still drove it in one day… that’s not accurate, I drove it in one day, hyped up on Red Bull and Rockstars. The drive lasted about 17 hours, was about 1500 kilometers and was intense. Although, after Prince George the drive became depressing, seeing all the tree’s that have been ravaged by the Mountain Pine Beetle is not a happy sight to see.

We eventually arrived in Terrace and took some time out of our day (well the next day) and postered the entire town, not that it took a long time. It’s definitely a small town; I think the biggest building was the Wal-Mart. Through all our postering travels we found a giant river that goes through town, so we went down there and chilled.

The next day, we attended our drummers’ wedding (Ohh yah I forgot to mention he was getting married) which was fun. It was basically a whole lot of getting dressed up, and a whole lot of getting drunk… but not too much as we had to play the next day. (Side note: Don’t drink shooters of Scotch).

So finally came our night to rock out at “The Northern” (Terrace’s most happening bar and hotel). Considering the size of Terrace, and the fact that we were playing on a Sunday, the amount of people that came out to see us play was pretty good. We we’re the only band playing that night and we had two sets of 45 minutes.

I think Jason’s favorite part of this event was the ability to smoke in the bar (something which no longer exists in Edmonton). It was a very laid back gig and we got to rock out and have fun at our leisure. Everyone there loved us, especially the staff whom invited us back for a Saturday night gig when the place is packed.

In the end we drank all our free booze, sold a stack of CDs, crashed in the comped hotel rooms and didn’t want to get up in the morning and drive back… but in the end that’s what we did… or should I say I did as no one else drives. Hah.

Happy & Fulfilled,
Shane Lamotte

Stripdown @ REDs – Edmonton AB – June 21st ’06 – Past

Just a little back story first off here… Stripdown was a Showcase event put on by the radio station The Bear 100.3, the venue Reds (now the Edmonton Events Centre), PunkTV and The Sound Radio. In order to be in the event you had to receive online votes at The Sound Radio and you were also judged based on the songs that you posted on your profile. Sixteen bands in total we’re selected (out of a hundred or more) and of the sixteen we we’re one of them. Thanks to every one who voted.

The event was over a two day period, a Thursday and Friday night; eight bands would play each night. The Thursday consisted of Living Illusion (Edmonton, AB), Stereo Therapy (Edmonton, AB), Flood of Fire (Vancouver, BC), Disaster Bloom (Edmonton, AB), Face First (Edmonton, AB), AutoBody (Calgary, AB), Cold Driven (Armstrong, BC), and Gone Savage (Edmonton, AB). Playing on the Friday was The Omega Theory (Edmonton, AB), Chyshuga (Calgary, AB), Keep 6 (Edmonton, AB), Lipth (Edmonton, AB), Radio for Help (Sherwood Park, AB), Jets to Theory (Edmonton, AB), Strada (Calgary, AB), and Whitfield (Vancouver, BC).

Jay and I arrived pretty early at Reds (the venue where the showcase was taking place); I chatted with Mike Dilts (promoter) for a bit and discussed the night’s events. There would be a group of Judges watching all the bands and giving critiques (also the best band would win radio airplay plus other stuff). After my conversation I made my way into the game room to play some Drum Hero (like guitar hero), just basically needed to kill some time.

While I was there I saw Billy Nickel, the lead singer from Cold Driven, I started up a conversation and we hit it off and talked for a good while. Eventually, I got hungry so I headed down to the food court to grab some food with Mark (our bass player). While there, we met up with the Shane (also from Cold Driven) and basically talked about the music industry for the next hour.

Once we got back to Reds all the bands had to pull their play times from a hat (we got a decent set time) followed by getting some pictures taking by Dixon Christie. Our set time wasn’t too bad, it was at 9:00 and the event started at 7:00. I told the guys what time our set was and we just basically had to wait around til the show started, I gave Mike Dilts a hand setting up stuff to kill more time (lots of waiting around).

Once the bands started playing and we headed to the green room to get ready for our turn to hit the stage. We watched and listened to some of the bands that played before us, every one at this event was good; it was essentially a showcase of some of the best independent bands in Western Canada.

When it was our turn to hit the stage we hit it hard. Played lots of our fast hard hitting songs and rocked out. Kept our energy high and just had a wicked time. I even used a beer to play my guitar; after our set was over I felt that we had set the bar for the rest of the evening and I think the crowd even thought so too.

Long story short, we didn’t win the event, and neither did Cold Driven. The winners were mostly on the Friday night, but all in all the entire event was a great experience. For me, other than playing the show itself, the entire night was spent hanging out with the guys from Cold Driven, drinking beers and discussing different ideas for our two bands to work together on future ideas so even though we didn’t win the event, I’m sure something great will come of it.


Happy and Fulfilled,
Shane Lamotte