* En anglais uniquement
Chicago power pop trio
Material Issue married the tight and melodic commercial appeal of acts like
Cheap Trick and
the Knack with the jangly guitars and cockiness of early-'90s Britpop. Formed in the late '80s as a songwriting vehicle for guitarist/lead singer
Jim Ellison, the band included bassist
Ted Ansani and drummer Mike Zelenko. In 1987, after doing time in and around the Windy City club scene, the group released an eponymous EP that resulted in a contract with Mercury Records. Their major-label debut, the rock-solid
International Pop Overthrow, found itself a place on modern rock radio with the raucous single "Valerie Loves Me," and thrust the group to the front of the burgeoning alternative rock movement. Produced by ex-
Shoes member
Jeff Murphy, the album's electrifying blend of teen angst and rock & roll confidence won over critics and fans alike, resulting in the band's immediate return to the studio to craft their follow-up, 1992's
Destination Universe. Once again produced by
Murphy,
DU didn't sell nearly as well, despite being almost identical to their impressive debut.
In 1994 the band released the excellent -- and sadly underrated --
Freak City Soundtrack. Produced by
Mike Chapman (
Blondie,
the Knack,
Sweet) and featuring a guest appearance by
Cheap Trick's
Rick Nielsen, it seemed that
Ellison and crew could do no wrong in critics' eyes, yet the public remained oblivious, prompting their inevitable departure from Mercury. Polygram put out the live album Goin' Through Your Purse that same year, and the band began recording what was to become their final album. Telecommando Americano was released posthumously by Rykodisc in 1997, just one year after
Jim Ellison committed suicide in his garage by poisoning himself with the carbon monoxide from his moped. ~ James Christopher Monger