111. LIFERS - Mike Zelenko

It’s not like Material Issue is the most obscure or overlooked band in the history of Chicago music, but no matter how many power pop music fests get named after them (like the long running International Pop Overthrow festival — which takes its name from their classic debut album), they will always land towards the top of the list of the city’s most underrated bands. And now there’s a new documentary —“Out Of Time: The Material Issue Story”— that seeks to rectify that injustice. We talked to drummer Mike Zelenko about the love the band’s been getting at the recent sold out Q&As for the movie, as well as his experiences recording in Scott’s hometown at the Shoes studio, going to high school with Mike O’Connell, opening the Replacements’ final show, Michael Chapman, tuna subs, fucking Enuff Z’nuff, the aftermath of Jim Ellison’s suicide, and Ted Ansani’s legendary pompadour.