Material Issue

about

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, having 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, provided lead vocals, and wrote all Material Issue songs). Their early days featured 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, and they soon hit it off. 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/rock 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. That label 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 hea

top songs

albums

International Pop Overthrow

Freak City Soundtrack

Destination Universe

International Pop Overthrow 20th Anniversary Edition

Best Of/20th Century

Telecommando Americano

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20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Material Issue

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The International Pop Overthrow

Diane

Eleven Supersonic Hit Explosions

Gone but Not Forgotten

Goin' Through Your Purse: Live In Chicago (2400 Trouble Makers Can't Be Wrong)

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