Material Issue
Play Radio
Listen to Material Issue Radio,
featuring artists like The Plimsouls, The Smithereens, Velvet Crush, 20/20 and more…
-
Search on Spotify
Yes, it scrobbles! Learn more
175,977 plays (18,114 listeners)
Material Issue was a power pop power trio from Chicago, Illinois. Their trademark was a brand of dense, rich, manic, and powerful pop tunes. Their lyrics revolved heavily around themes of love and heartbreak— with a phalanx of girl’s-first-name-titled songs. Singles such as “Diane” and “Valerie Loves Me” remain staples of rock radio.
Formed in 1985, Material Issue was the brainchild of frontman Jim Ellison (who also played guitar, lead vocals and wrote all Material Issue songs). The early days of Material Issue was a revolving door of bass players and drummers. However, Ellison met bassist Ted Ansani while both were attending Columbia Music School in Chicago in 1986. Drummer Mike Zelenko was recruited when the duo found him through an ad in the Illinois Entertainer later that year. With the Material Issue lineup set, Ellison – with Ansani and Zelenko eager to join him and ready to follow – set his sights on conquering the pop world.
In 1987, Material Issue released an EP on their own Big Block Label (so named for the big block engines of the 1970s muscle cars Ellison loved) which operated out of Ellison’s bedroom at his parents home in Addison, Illinois. In 1988, “Sixteen Tambourines” appeared on College Music Journal’s compliation and CMJ glowingly referred to Material Issue’s music as a “hooky brand of high-powered psycho-pop”. In 1989, their buzz grew further with the release of the single “Renee Remains The Same” which got heavy airplay around Chicago.
Diane” and “Valerie Loves Me” remain staples of rock radio.Formed in 1985, Material Issue was the brainchild of frontman Jim Ellison (who also played guitar, lead vocals and wrote all Material Issue songs). The early days of Material Issue was a revolving door of bass players and drummers. However, Ellison met bassist Ted Ansani while both were attending Columbia Music School in Chicago in 1986. Drummer Mike Zelenko was recruited when the duo found him through an ad in the Illinois Entertainer later that year. With the Material Issue lineup set, Ellison – with Ansani and Zelenko eager to join him and ready to follow – set his sights on conquering the pop world.
In 1987, Material Issue released an EP on their own Big Block Label (so named for the big block engines of the 1970s muscle cars Ellison loved) which operated out of Ellison’s bedroom at his parents home in Addison, Illinois. In 1988, “Sixteen Tambourines” appeared on College Music Journal’s compliation and CMJ glowingly referred to Material Issue’s music as a “hooky brand of high-powered psycho-pop”. In 1989, their buzz grew further with the release of the single “Renee Remains The Same” which got heavy airplay around Chicago.
Shouts:
29 shouts
Top Albums
-
International Pop Overthrow
Material Issue
Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.49
- 7digital $9.99
- iTunes $9.99
- Buy Album
- Amazon $13.66
- eBay Search
-
Freak City Soundtrack
Material Issue Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 Search
- 7digital Search
- iTunes Search
- Buy Album
- Amazon Search
- eBay Search
-
Destination Universe
Material Issue Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 Search
- 7digital Search
- iTunes Search
- Buy Album
- Amazon $15.99
- eBay Search
Shoutbox
-
last__rites wrote:
Material Issue will be playing a NYE show in Chicago. More info.... Material re-Issue (feat. Material Issue's Ted Ansani, Mike Zelenko, and Phil Angotti) http://www.ticketfly.com/event/69992/
-
LPEMP wrote:
I'm listening to International Pop Overthrow for the first time right now. Kinda wish I'd had this band in my life when I was 15.
-
iixdotbe wrote:
I got to see them at Pointfest 2 in St. Louis (Aug. 20, 1994). We were sitting in the lawn at Riverport and at some point during Material Issue a trash war broke out. Trash was flying through the sky everywhere you looked. All the while Material Issue is kicking ass on stage. It was incredible.
-
promisedeyes wrote:
Hell yes, their music is timelessly beautiful...
-
emopunkbitches wrote:
material issue, clearly underrated.
-
tjd9 wrote:
Truly underrated in their day. This music had stood the test of time.
-
redguitar wrote:
top listner...? why Me?
-
Shy-Guy wrote:
I don't know.
-
LastofTheRoses wrote:
How come i didnt know that band ?
-
absonderland wrote:
I only just discovered them, great band! If you like Big Star and/or Teenage Fanclub, you should definitely check them out.
-
dorianmichael wrote:
Material Issue were like Cheap Trick's younger cousin. These guys were just way good. When a band is this genius... you know they are more than likely going to crash and burn. Jim Ellison - R.I.P.
-
efilgnikcufecin wrote:
Elvis?
-
wclarkhudson wrote:
My biggest, baddest influence as a singer/songwriter/guitarist - long live the KING!
-
bishopsdad wrote:
Totally underrated... especially Freak City Soundtrack - yes, the band was imploding at that point, but its a great record
-
draculaswedding wrote:
underrated
-
skirtchaser wrote:
Yeah ! Loved this album , actually one of my first CDs ( when players were finally affordable to me ) I still have the longbox at my parents !
-
YControl755 wrote:
love 'em. the first LP is especially great. i consider it one of the essential power pop albums
-
macpro wrote:
One of my favorite rock groups from the 1990s. They did some killer covers such as "Cowboy Song," "Bus Stop" and "Blockbuster". "Valerie Loves Me" is a true power pop classic.
-
MacTonight wrote:
Trah lah lah, trah lahlah lah
-
Mike TV wrote:
I married Valerie!
Videos
See more
Top Listeners
-
mmcclusky
Top Listener
-
TakashiTomono
Top Listener
-
tigrr13
Top Listener
-
jcorrea10056
Top Listener
Recent Activity
-
dressedmelon, WrathOfTzolkin, xDarkAnarchistx and 1 other person added Material Issue to their libraries. Tuesday evening
-
Parasence wrote about Stereo MC's – Connected in playlist for the gym/running. Sunday evening
-
SimonePerrota, insideoutsight, mcsf69jay and 7 other people added Material Issue to their libraries. last month
-
SimonePerrota tagged Material Issue with ‘alternative rock’. last month
-
Amelie_Leto tagged Material Issue with alternative, 90s, chicago and one other tag. December 2011
-
Amelie_Leto, drgross121079, pattieandtim and 12 other people added Material Issue to their libraries. December 2011
-
smgoode2 tagged Material Issue with ‘power pop’. November 2011
-
redroulettes, dummy123456, punkrckrgirl and 14 other people added Material Issue to their libraries. November 2011
-
jadedingenue tagged Material Issue with seen live and criminally underrated. September 2011
-
MarcosCortesG and rockanos60 added Material Issue to their libraries. September 2011
Related Journals
-
Bands I've Seen Live
by cruz992 |
21 Mar 2010
-
The Perfect Gig III
by anchovybay |
22 Nov 2009
-
Meme For Top 50 Artists
by anchovybay |
21 Nov 2009
Groups (6)
-
Chicago Artists
523 members
-
RadioTiki
82 members
-
We <3 Liz Phair
77 members
-
Suicided Musicians
34 members
-
What the HECK is that song
23 members
More Information
Email Newsletter
Get exclusive tour, release & promotion updates on Material Issue from Universal Music.
