Unreleased cover of “Hanging By The Telephone” with Liz Phair and Jim Ellison to be heard in film
Out of Time: The Material issue Story is a new documentary film based on the 90s Chicago band, Material Issue, and is slated to be released later this year.
In addition to interviews, photos, and music, the film will also feature the debut of a previously-unheard collaboration between Phair and Ellison with their cover of the Nerves’ “Hanging By The Telephone,” a song otherwise made famous by Blondie.
The film is directed and produced by Balin Schneider and produced by Arvonia Films.
The synopsis according to the documentary’s website:
Out of Time: The Material Issue Story is a feature music documentary that covers the biography of the band Material Issue. The film examines the tragic story of a rock band on the cusp of superstardom cut short by front man Jim Ellison’s suicide. The band was literally out of time – sandwiched between the post-punk era of the 1980s and the grunge movement of Seattle, Out of Time: The Material Issue Story tells the story of a band searching for its identity in the gritty world of rock and roll in the early 1990s.
Material Issue were a prominent power pop trio from Chicago in the early 1990’s, and were most notable for their debut album International Pop Overthrow and singles Valerie Loves Me, Diane, What Girls Want, and Kim the Waitress. They were contemporaries of some of rock’s biggest bands, including the Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, the Pretenders, Liz Phair, and INXS.
The cast sees a wide variety of Grammy Nominees and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Members. The film stars original band members Mike Zelenko and Ted Ansani. The film debuts the first ever interviews with the family of Jim Ellison, and includes interviews with notable members of the story like Jeff Murphy, Joe Shanahan, Jay O’Rourke, Jeff Kwatinetz, Matt Pinfield, Steve Albini and more.
Featured image:
Liz Phair and Jim Ellison recording in the mid-90s. Photo by Paul Natkin.
