Oh how I miss the Ish

Material Issue's "Diane" from the 1991 album International Pop Overthrow.

I had 120 Minutes on the tele while I was washing dishes last night and I heard this video playing—I'd never seen it before, but I'd seen the band frequently back in the day. The "Ish" was one of those bands in the Chicago scene that seemed so destine to break out, but never really did. They wrote amazing little pop songs mostly about girls and heartbreak, with hooks and style unapologetically borrowed from the play books of fellow midwest power popsters Cheap Trick and Shoes.

Jim Ellison, the band's frontman, was a whisp-skinny but charismatic fellow whose onstage persona belied his odd look. I must have seen Material Issue a dozen times and was always amazed by Ellison's magnetism and presence. He had the moves, chops and bravado to take down Mick Jagger in his prime...and it was just so unexpected.

Tragically, Ellison took his own life back in 1996 amidst rumors of a bad relationship and depression stemming from the band's dismissal from Mercury Records. It's both sad and ironic that this fun bright little band would end on such a dark note.

The first line from the title track of International Pop Overthrow—"I was ridin' around with the radio up and the windows down"—sums up the spirit of Material Issue and, along with a fine spring day, describes the best way experience their music. Roll down the windows and dial it up...you'll see what I mean .