Material Issue - Legacy

Legacy

The legacy of Material Issue as the consummate 1990s power pop band lives on in the International Pop Overthrow festival that plays in Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago each year. The IPO festival (renamed IPO from Poptopia in the late 90s to honor Material Issue) is the largest showcase of power pop music in the United States and brings in power pop bands from all over the world to showcase what is new in the world of power pop music.

Despite albums receiving extremely positive reviews and reception, Material Issue is often overlooked among music of the era. They are often considered to have reached their climax in a misplaced era. In an era of grunge music, the pop based Material Issue was ahead of their musical times.

Ted Ansani continues to work in the music business in Chicago and had played bass for several post-Material Issue projects and released his own solo EP in 2000 called Throttle and Pistons - The Ted Ansani Project. He has made several solo appearances in the last few years in and around Chicago and has also played the IPO festival when it has come to Chicago. His website carries the banner of the Material Issue legacy which reminds readers of Material Issue's place in rock history. Ansani is married with three children. His son, Paul, plays bass in his own band, The Break.

Mike Zelenko continues to play drums and has also played with several post-Material Issue projects. He has drummed for Green, the Darlings and most recently Zelenko has been playing with a new power pop band from Chicago called The Ladies and Gentlemen.

In 2002, the song "Everything", from the Destination Universe album, was covered by the band Stereo Fuse and received moderate airplay on alternative radio.

The Tragically Hip song "Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man", from the album Phantom Power, is a tribute to Ellison.

Australian power pop band the Pyramidiacs also released a tribute song to Ellison, entitled "Jim", on their 1997 album "Teeter Totter".

Original drummer Danny Thompson is currently playing for punk rock legends, Face to Face, and metal band the Uprising. Both bands are from southern California. Original bassist, Lance Tawzer, went on to form The Lupins (RCA Records) and wrote a song for the movie "Dumb and Dumber", he married Q101 (WKQX) DJ Samantha James and they have two children.