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It was ten years ago today that Jim Ellison, lead singer/songwriter of the great Chicago power pop band Material Issue, committed suicide at the age of 31, ending one of the most influential and heartfelt careers of any Chicago musician.
In a previous post, we said “not since the Undertones’ “More Songs About Chocolate and Girls” had a band ever released such a concise sonic mission statement as MI’s International Pop Overthrow album.” Three chords never sounded so powerful, while the lyrics contain more universal truths than a hundred holy books. Though a tough act to follow, the criminally-out-of-print Destination Universe carried that torch further with songs like “What Girls Want,” “Girl From Out of This World” and “Next Big Thing.” The group’s Freak City Soundtrack and Telecommando Americano both contain little-heard gems.
In a brilliant post on his Pop Machine blog, the Tribune’s Mark Caro states that Material Issue doesn’t get the airplay or notoriety afforded some of Chicago’s other well-known 90s rock acts. But ask Chicago rock fans of a certain age—they’ll be slightly older now than Ellison was when he died—about Material Issue and watch a knowing smile of recognition creep across their faces. They’ll start to chatter excitedly about their favorite song or a show they saw. Simply put, this was not a band that people “enjoyed” or “listened to.” This was a band that people loved. And Ellison was its Romantic heart.
The band’s influence is still felt today whenever the International Pop Overthrow fest hits town or a few local kids pick up guitars and start singing about girls. For Chicagoist, the death of Jim Ellison still makes us sad and wistful.
Until we listen to “Diane,” that is. Then we get this knowing smile across our faces.
Image: HotSpotDigital.com
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or 'valerie loves me.' perfect, perfect pop. brilliant. that's why it's so sad, because there was so much talent there.
Remember "Kim the Waitress". I loved that song. I saw them play the "rock the vote" MTV show at Southern Illinois University in 1996. Great show.
Wow, Thad. You're dismissing one of the most influential musical talents in Chicago. Jim Ellison had all kinds of stuff going for him, besides Material Issue (though that's what he's justifiably known for). He helped Liz Phair with many of her early (aka. good) recordings and crafted the pop sound that shaped Chicago music in the mid-90s. (Smoking Popes, Fig Dish, Triple Fast Action, etc.)
Up until recently, they were still having Jim Ellison memorial concerts at the Double Door. His music really mattered to people.
And yes, you could say he did the cop-out B.S. thing by committing suicide, but it doesn't make it any less sad.
Huh, guess I was commenting on pulled comment. Anywho, this is worth checking out...
MI playing "Diane"
It's better than the only other youtube MI selection, the unfortunate Banana Splits video with Liz Phair :(
Agreed, James. "Valerie Loves Me" is such a great pop song. I first heard it when I was about 13, and loved it instantly.
My favorites are Very First Lie, Carosel and This Letter. Truly one Chicago's greatest, with a one of a kind sound. Saw them at a place that was above Muskie's at Belmont and Sheffield (the Muskie's is gone now also). I think it was called The Avalon?
ah, destination universe. this was actually the first album i owned by material issue, weirdly enough. i think i've ended up with two copies of it. it's the most dissed and misunderstood, i think...
i love material issue. love, love, love, love. i'm sad about jim ellison. i'm sad whenever i hear about someone committing suicide. mental illness is something that is not talked about very much, except in the context of 'man, it's so sad that so and so killed themselves; we don't understand, it's such a mystery.' people have talked about him being depressed over a failed relationship, but i can say this -- people who choose to end their lives ultimately can see no way out of what they perceive to be endless pain. and that's not just everyday depression.
but jim ellison and material issue... yeah, i don't think they ever get enough props in the realm of chicago bands or chicago pop. long live the international pop overthrow.
It's true that they don't get the airplay and props now; they didn't really get their due then, either. They were really great.
I think I'm gonna go ridin' around with the radio up and the windows down...
Yes, Kim the Waitress was such a good crush song. Who hasn't felt that way?
She doesn't come around anymore and that bothers me (I'm unhappy)
That bothers me (I'm unhappy)
And it bothers me
Though I don't stand a ghost of a chance with her
She's pretty
So pretty
She's pretty (and it bothers me)
And it bothers me (I'm unhappy)
M points out something I don't really mention above. People loved Material Issue because they really felt like the guys onstage were them. It's why people felt connected to them in a way they weren't connected to the Pumpkins, Liz Phair...or Richard Marx.
Ahem.
One of the best shows ever was the Material Issue/Replacements 4th of July show @ Grant Park.
I heard 'What Girls Want' on Saturday and realized that I had a Material Issue lyric in my head for the past 6 months...
They were amazing.
In 1991 I was going to school in Baltimore and the I.P.O. album and songs like Diane and Valerie Loves Me were huge ... even being covered by local bands. I never saw M.I. live, but they played at the 8 x 10 (now defunct) in Federal Hill and my friends and I walked by on our way to a bar next door. We could see them through the window and we ended up watching them for fifteen minutes. I hadn't realized their live show was so loud and energetic. I wish I had gone. Even through the windows those three guys were putting out a lot of sound and energy. The frontman definitely knew how to perform.
These comments are making me all bleary eyed.
Thanks for such a fine remembrance, Scott.
"kiss me like you lost me and you found me..."
--'don't you think i know,' destination universe