Turning Japanese - Liz Phair (with Material Issue)

About This Footage

The grainy, VHS-quality footage of Material Issue's 1993 performance of "Turning Japanese" is a time capsule of the Chicago power pop scene in its heyday. The band's energetic rendition of this classic tune, originally written by the Vapors in 1980, is a testament to their ability to breathe new life into familiar hits.

Material Issue was formed in 1986 and quickly gained a following in the Chicago club circuit with their catchy, hook-laden songs and charismatic stage presence. By the early 1990s, they had built a reputation as one of the city's top power pop bands, with a string of critically-acclaimed albums to their name.

What makes this clip so notable is its rarity – there are few live recordings of Material Issue from this period available online, and even fewer that showcase their ability to tackle non-original material. The band's decision to cover "Turning Japanese" was likely influenced by the song's enduring popularity in the 1980s, as well as their own fascination with British new wave and post-punk.

Liz Phair, who joins Material Issue on stage for this performance, is a fascinating addition to the clip. As a singer-songwriter from Chicago herself, Phair was likely drawn to Material Issue's music due to its shared roots in power pop and indie rock. Her appearance here adds an extra layer of interest to the clip, highlighting the connections between different musical scenes in 1990s Chicago.

The footage itself is rough around the edges – the video quality is poor, and the sound is occasionally fuzzy – but it's precisely this DIY aesthetic that makes it so compelling. This was a time before social media and streaming platforms made it easy to access live performances; instead, fans had to rely on bootlegs and VHS tapes to experience their favorite bands.

Watching Material Issue perform "Turning Japanese" is like stepping back into the past – you can almost smell the sweat and cigarette smoke of the Chicago club scene. The band's energy is infectious, with lead singer Jim Ellison's distinctive vocals soaring above the rest of the instrumentation. Even on a relatively straightforward cover like this one, there are moments where Material Issue's unique chemistry shines through.

One thing that strikes viewers is just how well Material Issue's music has aged – despite being from the early 1990s, their songs retain a timeless quality that continues to appeal to fans today. This clip serves as a reminder of the enduring power of pop music to capture our emotions and experiences, even in the most mundane moments.

As the camera pans out at the end of the performance, we see the band members laughing and chatting with each other – it's a rare glimpse into their personalities and relationships outside of their music. This is what makes this clip so valuable: not just as a historical document or a showcase for Material Issue's talents, but as a humanizing moment that reveals the people behind the music.

The final shot lingers on Liz Phair, smiling and waving to the audience – it's a small gesture, but one that speaks volumes about the connections between artists and fans. This is what makes this clip so memorable: not just the music itself, but the sense of community and shared experience that it embodies.

Curated from public records and music databases.