Week One Hundred and Eight: Material Issue - "Very First Lie" - International Pop Overthrow

When I posted about Eve's Plum and The Indians, I mentioned that I attended EdgeFest #3 back in 1994 at Starplex Amphitheater. Another band that was part of that year's lineup was Material Issue. Now, if you were at that show, then you probably recall the barrage of plastic cups that went flying through the air during their set. You may also recall how pissed the band members became at the audience once the plastic cups started to make their way onstage. 

Material Issue was yet another band who met a tragic fate, and I'll let Wikipedia fill you in:

"Throughout the remainder of 1995 and into 1996, Material Issue had recorded a set of new songs with the intention of shopping them to a new label. However, the band came to a tragic and sudden end when Ellison committed suicide on June 20, 1996 by carbon monoxide poisoning in his garage. No one knows for sure what compelled Ellison to end his life but the loss of their record label in 1995 as well as an end to a long term relationship on his 32nd birthday (April 18, 1996) are likely contributors to his decision to commit suicide. A suicide note was found by police, but the contents of that note remain known only to Ellison's family."

Jim Ellison was their lead singer, as well as the guitarist. I was so terribly sad when I heard the news because I really, really liked this band.

A few years ago, I went on Amazon.com to purchase a copy of International Pop Overthrow, and you can only imagine my complete surprise when what arrived in the mail was an autographed copy of the CD (pictured below):

I will also include "Valerie Loves Me" and "International Pop Overthrow"...but don't stop there; check out some of their other tunes, as well!!!

I'd like to wake up with you early in the morning

Or stay up late, just playin' records on your phonograph

I'd like to get to know your mother and your father

Maybe just once, pretend to be somebody's better half

And I would like to tell the very first lie

I'd like to ignore all my friends

And spend my time with you

Maybe shake your tambourine

I'd like to do the sorts of things

That you and I could do

We could 'most anything

And I would like to tell the very first lie

I'd like to get to know

Your family and friends you know

Maybe pick you up from work

I'd like to do the sorts of things

That you and I could do 'til it hurts

I'd like to wake up with you early in the morning

Or stay up late, just playin' records on your phonograph

I'd like to get to know your mother and your father

Maybe just once, pretend to be somebody's better half

And I would like to tell the very first lie