An Interview With Mike Zelenko

Material Issue were one of the best, most underrated bands of the last twenty years. The powerful songwriting of singer Jim Ellison helped the band leap years beyond the rest of the pack. Songs like "Everything" and the immortal "Valerie Loves Me" will live on in music lovers' hearts forever. Tragically, Jim committed suicide in June of 1996 and the band split soon afterwards. Their story is a warning for all bands that are dedicated to their music and will let nothing stop them from creating. On the brighter side, the music will forever live on. The following is an interview I did with drummer Mike Zelenko. Read and reminisce!

When did you first become interested in music?

i got into rock when i saw KISS on TV, i was like 8 yrs old. i got into music in high school when i discovered the Beatles like Junior year.

When did you first get together with Ted and Jim?

Jim answered an ad i had in the Illinois Entertainer for "drummer looking for band". He called me on July 4th 1986, the summer i graduated high school. He basically told me that if i didn't want to have a day job for the rest of my life, that i should come out to his parent's house in Addison, IL and pick up a tape of his songs. He was very confident and knew exactly where he wanted to go. I was impressed with him from the beginning. We had my audition and first rehearsal the following Sat. I showed up with my van and that alone got me hired. (touring vehicle). I was amazed at how well Jim and Ted sang together. We did our first gig just a week latter and never looked back.

What was the scene like when you guys got started?

It was the mid to late 80's so there was a lot of hair metal and the bad new-wave stuff around in the mainstream. Basically mainstream radio was awful, but I think it always has been awful. There was no "alternative formatted" radio, like there is today. College radio was where the good music was being played, and promoting local shows. I was also a time where lots of independent, privately owned record labels were just getting off the ground. Labels like Touch and Go, Pravda, Susstones, Caroline, SST, Twin/Tone etc.. were putting out records from bands that would come to town and sell out Metro. It was exciting because it gave us the feeling that we could release our own records and book our own tours and be just as "legitimate" as any band on a major label.

How did you hook up with Jeff Murphy?

Jim was a fan of Shoes, and when he discovered that they had their own recording studio in Zion, he simply called him and booked time there. We developed a relationship.

When did you guys sign with Mercury and how do you feel about that in hindsight?

Fine. It was a good decision and we were ready for the "big leagues" by than. At that point we had toured all the the MidWest and East Coast many times and had established ourselves, in several cities and college towns. In hindsight, we were in the first wave of major labels to sign "alternative rock" acts with the intention of promoting to mainstream radio. It was 1991.

What was success like and how did everyone feel about it?

Success for us meant that we could play and make music full time and have enough money to pay our bills and such. We were happy.

Do you feel that the label dropped the bomb on Destination and Freak City when they came out?

Part of that was bad decisions on our part. Its not always the labels fault. On this question I could go on and on. Lets just say that we had our opportunity to make MI explode. Its a tough business.

Were you guys surprised when Mercury dropped you?

no. they have to make money too. its a business. it would have been nice if the climate of the industry were different. Labels were just not into "development" like they were in the 70's and 80's.

Were you surprised about Jim and what memories do you have of him, if I may ask?

many good memories. he was a special guy. it's really a pity he choose that fate for himself.

How difficult was it putting together Telecommando?

That body of recordings were demos for what was going to be our next record.It required work, but it was the right thing to do. We basically used all everything of Jim's that was there, even the mistakes. Did some overdubs, cleaned up some bits and searched for a label. I was very happy and honored when Rykodisc offered to release it. My favorite song is 976 love.

When did you and Ted decide to call it quits and do you still keep in touch?

Don't see too much of him, but bump into him now and than.

What are you up to now?

I play in a band called The Ladies + Gentleman (myspace). Its a really great band.. I also do session work and very rarely do a small tour now and than.

Final question: What do you think Material Issue's legacy will be?

I can already see from the responses I get off myspace and other places, younger people discovering the band. They seem to really think we were great, and I think that we were. Quality always floats to the top and I think, for fans of this genre, we will be viewed as one of the premier acts of that time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VTBam8YzQg&feature=channel_page (Everything)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E42Xo8FrGI (Very First Lie)