When it was launched as American independent label in 1979, I.R.S. (International Record Syndicate) was founded by Miles Copeland as a sister label to the UK-based Illegal Records, which itself was related to smaller UK indies Deptford Fun City and Step Forward Records. Many think of I.R.S. as synonymous to R.E.M., which of course they were until R.E.M. bolted for Warner Bros. in the late ’80s. But the label was so much more than that in the States, serving as an importer of British post-punk; a welcome home to new-wave weirdos like Wazmo Nariz, Suburban Lawns, Skafish, and Wall of Voodoo; and documenters of the NYC and LA scenes. The label also made stars in the US of The Alarm, The English Beat, and General Public. For many, seeing the iconic I.R.S. logo — the man in the black hat — meant something good was pressed to that wax. This mix focuses on the label’s first six years (’79-’85), while they were distributed by A&M Records.
Playlist
- R.E.M. — Little America
- The Monochrome Set — He’s Frank
- The Stranglers — Duchess
- Klark Kent — Don’t Care
- Wazmo Nariz — Checking Out The Checkout Girl
- The Cramps — What’s Behind The Mask?
- Wall Of Voodoo — Call Box
- Buzzcocks — I Believe
- Payola$ — Jukebox
- Alternative TV — Communicate
- The Fall — Rebellious Jukebox
- Yip Yip Coyote — Pioneer Girl
- The Fleshtones — (Legend Of A) Wheelman
- The Lords Of The New Church — Eat Your Heart Out
- Humans — Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark
- Skafish — Joan Fan Club
- Magazine — Suburban Rhonda
- Suburban Lawns — Anything
- BPeople — Weather To Worry
- Three O’Clock — Hand In Hand
- The English Beat — Big Shot
- Doctor & The Medics — I Don’t Want To Be Alone (With You Tonight)
- Let’s Active — Ornamental
- Beat Rodeo — Not The Girl Loves Me
- Henry Badowski — My Face
- Oingo Boingo — Ain’t This The Life
- Go-Go’s — How Much More
- R.E.M. — Moral Kiosk
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