I.R.S. Records

I.R.S. Records

Profile:
I.R.S. (International Record Syndicate) co-founded in 1979 by Miles Copeland (2) and Jay Boberg as an American version of a group of punk & new wave labels that he operated in the UK under the umbrella name Faulty Products (a name that he later used for an I.R.S. sub-label in the US).

Initially a A&M Records sublabel, I.R.S. moved distribution to MCA Records in 1985, and to Capitol/EMI's CEMA Distribution in 1990.

Some I.R.S. releases were issued for the UK and continental Europe through Copeland's label Illegal Records (2). Copeland also established local I.R.S. offices in conjunction with his Illegal divisions in those countries.

Please add to the release/submission notes anything that would help clarify the country and label situation, such as any fine print regarding copyright and marketing/manufacturing/distribution etc.

TRIBAL America was a sub-label run by Rob Di Stefano between 1991 and 1996; the catalogue is now owned by Twisted America Records.

I.R.S. was closed down in 1996, and in 1997 Copeland formed a new label, Ark 21 Records.

The EMI Group revived the I.R.S. label with a new roster in 2011.

Capitol Music Group revived the I.R.S. label as I.R.S. Nashville in 2015.

Name variations as it appears on one or more releases:
- IRS Records

NOTES ON I.R.S. CATALOG NUMBERS:

I.R.S. used several different catalog numbering systems over the years. Here is a primer on the patterns used during each of the three eras. There are a few releases that fall outside of these patterns, but these should be used where possible.

A&M Era (1979-1985 & several later reissues)
[SP prefix is replaced with CS for cassettes and CD for CDs.]
SP 000 - first 9 LP releases (000 to 009)
SP 70000 - subsequent LP releases (70010+)
SP 70400/70500 - 12" singles/EPs/mini-albums
SP 70600 - "developing artists" series
SP 70800 - double-LP releases
SP 75000 - "midline reissue" series
SP 70950 - promotional releases
IR 7700 - 7" EPs
IR 8000/9000 - 7" singles

MCA Era (1985-1990)
[IRS prefix is replaced with IRSC for cassettes and IRSD for CDs.]
IRS-5000/6000 - albums
IRS-7000 - singles/EPs
IRS-23000 - singles/EPs
IRS-42000 - albums
IRS-74000 - singles/EPs
IRS-81000/82000 - albums

Capitol/EMI Era (1990-1996)
X#-13000 - albums ('#' in prefix is replaced with 1 for vinyl, 2 for CDs & 4 for cassettes.)
V-13800/13900/58000 - 12" singles (some use a 'Y-' prefix rather than 'V-')
X25G-13800/13900/58000 - CD singles
SPRO-67000 - promotional releases
A few Capitol/EMI editions did not use this series, and instead used the UPC code for the catalog number.

For more information on these numbering series, visit one of the websites linked below.

Label code: LC 7014/LC 7283
Sublabels
Parent Label:
Contact Info:
I.R.S. Records
3939 Lankershim Blvd.
Universal City, CA 91604

I.R.S. Records
3520 Hayden Avenue
Culver City, CA 90232
Sites:

Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
1C 006-2 04121 7 29 Palms (2) - Magic Man 29 Palms (2) Magic Man (Single) 1C 006-2 04121 7 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 006 2 04128 7 The Alarm - Unsafe Building  Year 1990 The Alarm Unsafe Building Year 1990(7") I.R.S. Records 1C 006 2 04128 7 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 006-20 4131 7 Concrete Blonde - Caroline Concrete Blonde Caroline(7", Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 006-20 4131 7 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 006-20 4132 7 Jan Akkerman - Trojan Horse Jan Akkerman Trojan Horse(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 1C 006-20 4132 7 Netherlands 1990 Sell This Version
1C 006-20 4297 7 29 Palms (2) - Teddy's Song (What About You?) 29 Palms (2) Teddy's Song (What About You?)(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 1C 006-20 4297 7 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 006-20 4309 7 The Rebel Pebbles - Dream Lover The Rebel Pebbles Dream Lover(7", Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 006-20 4309 7 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 006-20 4310 7 The Alarm - Raw The Alarm Raw(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 1C 006-20 4310 7 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 006-20 4442 7 The Rebel Pebbles - How Do You Feel The Rebel Pebbles How Do You Feel(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 1C 006-20 4442 7 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 006-2 04537 7 R.E.M. - The One I Love R.E.M. The One I Love (Single) 1C 006-2 04537 7 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 006-24 1030 7 The Alarm - Sold Me Down The River The Alarm Sold Me Down The River(7") I.R.S. Records 1C 006-24 1030 7 Europe 1989 Sell This Version
1C 006-24 1058 7 VIIth Litany Productions* - Bring On The Lucie (Freda Peeple) VIIth Litany Productions* Bring On The Lucie (Freda Peeple)(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 1C 006-24 1058 7 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 006 24 1073 7 Dread Zeppelin - Heartbreaker Dread Zeppelin Heartbreaker(7") I.R.S. Records 1C 006 24 1073 7 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 038 24 1032 1 Leslie West - Alligator Leslie West Alligator(LP, Album) I.R.S. Records 1C 038 24 1032 1 Europe 1989 Sell This Version
1C 060-2 04121 6 29 Palms (2) - Magic Man 29 Palms (2) Magic Man(12") I.R.S. Records 1C 060-2 04121 6 UK & Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 060 2 04128 6 The Alarm - Unsafe Building  Year 1990 The Alarm Unsafe Building Year 1990(12") I.R.S. Records 1C 060 2 04128 6 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 060-20 4131 6 Concrete Blonde - Caroline Concrete Blonde Caroline(12", Single) I.R.S. Records 1C 060-20 4131 6 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 060-20 4132 6 Jan Akkerman - Trojan Horse Jan Akkerman Trojan Horse(12") I.R.S. Records 1C 060-20 4132 6 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 060-24 1030 6 The Alarm - Sold Me Down The River The Alarm Sold Me Down The River(12", Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 060-24 1030 6 Europe 1989 Sell This Version
1C 060-24 1058 6 VIIth Litany Productions* - Bring On The Lucie (Freda Peeple) VIIth Litany Productions* Bring On The Lucie (Freda Peeple)(12", Maxi) I.R.S. Records 1C 060-24 1058 6 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 006 2043097 The Rebel Pebbles - Dream Lover The Rebel Pebbles Dream Lover(7", Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 006 2043097 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 064 -24 1066 1 John Kay & Steppenwolf - Rise And Shine John Kay & Steppenwolf John Kay & Steppenwolf - Rise And Shine (Album) 1C 064 -24 1066 1 Germany 1990 Sell This Version
1C 064-24 1070 1 Black Sabbath - Tyr Black Sabbath Tyr (Album) 1C 064-24 1070 1 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 064-24 1071 1 Dread Zeppelin - Un-Led-Ed Dread Zeppelin Un-Led-Ed(LP, Album) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 064-24 1071 1 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 064-71 3050 1 Cry Wolf - Crunch Cry Wolf Crunch(LP, Album, DMM) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 064-71 3050 1 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 064-7 13054 1 29 Palms (2) - Fatal Joy 29 Palms (2) Fatal Joy(LP, Album) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 064-7 13054 1 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 064-71 3073 1 Wishbone Ash Featuring Robbie France & Ray Weston - Strange Affair Wishbone Ash Featuring Robbie France & Ray Weston Wishbone Ash Featuring Robbie France & Ray Weston - Strange Affair (Album) 1C 064-71 3073 1 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 064-71 3076 1 The Rebel Pebbles - Girls Talk The Rebel Pebbles Girls Talk(LP, Album) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 064-71 3076 1 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 064-71 3087 1 The Alarm - Raw The Alarm Raw(LP, Album) EMI Electrola 1C 064-71 3087 1 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 064-71 3092 1 Dread Zeppelin - 5,000,000* Dread Zeppelin 5,000,000*(LP, Album) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 064-71 3092 1 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 064-71 3101 1 Stan Ridgway - Partyball Stan Ridgway Partyball (Album) 1C 064-71 3101 1 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C 068-7 13128 1 R.E.M. - The Best Of R.E.M. The Best Of(LP, Comp) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 068-7 13128 1 Germany 1991 Sell This Version
1C 080-7 13049 0 Black Sabbath - Tyr Black Sabbath Tyr(LP, Album, Pic) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C 080-7 13049 0 Germany 1990 Sell This Version
1C 560-20 4132 2 Jan Akkerman - Trojan Horse Jan Akkerman Trojan Horse(CD, Maxi) I.R.S. Records, Electrola 1C 560-20 4132 2 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
1C 064 7130761 The Rebel Pebbles - Girls Talk The Rebel Pebbles Girls Talk(LP, Album) I.R.S. Records 1C 064 7130761 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C (560) 2042972 29 Palms (2) Teddy's Song (What About You?)(CD, Single) I.R.S. Records 1C (560) 2042972 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C (560) 2043092 The Rebel Pebbles - Dream Lover The Rebel Pebbles Dream Lover(CD, Maxi) I.R.S. Records 1C (560) 2043092 Netherlands 1991 Sell This Version
1C (560) 2043102 The Alarm - Raw The Alarm Raw(CD, Maxi) I.R.S. Records 1C (560) 2043102 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C (560) 2044422 The Rebel Pebbles - How Do You Feel The Rebel Pebbles How Do You Feel(CD, Single) I.R.S. Records 1C (560) 2044422 Netherlands 1991 Sell This Version
1C (560) 2045372 R.E.M. - The One I Love R.E.M. The One I Love(CD, Single, RE) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 1C (560) 2045372 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1C (560) 2045972 Concrete Blonde - Bloodletting (The Vampire Song) Concrete Blonde Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)(CD, Maxi) I.R.S. Records 1C (560) 2045972 Europe 1991 Sell This Version
1R1 7455 Go-Go's - Vacation Go-Go's Vacation(Reel, 4tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Club) I.R.S. Records 1R1 7455 US 1982 Sell This Version
4D-475 Let's Active - Every Dog Has His Day Let's Active Every Dog Has His Day(LP, Album) I.R.S. Records, DRO 4D-475 Spain 1988 Sell This Version
4JM 0777 Fresh Bush and the Invisible Man - Hard Times Fresh Bush and the Invisible Man Hard Times(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 4JM 0777 US 1992 Sell This Version
4JM-13045 Candi And The Backbeat* - The World Just Keeps On Turning Candi And The Backbeat* The World Just Keeps On Turning(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records 4JM-13045 US 1990 Sell This Version
4 JM 13803 Concrete Blonde - Joey Concrete Blonde Joey(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 4 JM 13803 US 1990 Sell This Version
4JM-13805 Candi And The Backbeat* - The World Just Keeps On Turning Candi And The Backbeat* The World Just Keeps On Turning(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records 4JM-13805 Canada 1990 Sell This Version
4JM-13814 Candi And The Backbeat* - Good Together Candi And The Backbeat* Good Together(Cass, Single, Dol) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 4JM-13814 Canada 1991 Sell This Version
4JM-13818 Candi And The Backbeat* - Saving All The Love Candi And The Backbeat* Saving All The Love(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records 4JM-13818 US 1991 Sell This Version
4KM-13821 The Rebel Pebbles - Dream Lover The Rebel Pebbles Dream Lover(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records 4KM-13821 US 1991 Sell This Version
4KM-13836 One Nation (3) - Love's Rock One Nation (3) Love's Rock(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records 4KM-13836 US 1991 Sell This Version
4KM 13837 Infidels - 100 Watt Bulb Infidels 100 Watt Bulb(Cass, Single, Dol) I.R.S. Records 4KM 13837 Canada 1991 Sell This Version
4KM-13848 Concrete Blonde - Ghost Of A Texas Ladies' Man Concrete Blonde Ghost Of A Texas Ladies' Man(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records 4KM-13848 US 1992 Sell This Version
4KM-13860 Concrete Blonde - Someday Concrete Blonde Someday(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records 4KM-13860 US 1992 Sell This Version
4KM-13882 Dada (4) - Dizz Knee Land Dada (4) Dizz Knee Land(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 4KM-13882 US 1992 Sell This Version
4KM-13887 Too Down - The Oceanfront Too Down The Oceanfront(Cass, Single) Danzalot Records 4KM-13887 US 1993 Sell This Version
4KM-13891 Danube Dance / Liberty City - Unique / Some Lovin' Danube Dance / Liberty City Danube Dance / Liberty City - Unique / Some Lovin'(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records 4KM-13891 US 1993 Sell This Version
4KM-58449 Club 69 Featuring Annette Taylor And Kim Cooper - Sugar Pie Guy b/w I've Got The Feeling Club 69 Featuring Annette Taylor And Kim Cooper Club 69 Featuring Annette Taylor And Kim Cooper - Sugar Pie Guy b/w I've Got The Feeling(Cass, Single) TRIBAL America, I.R.S. Records 4KM-58449 US 1995 Sell This Version
4PRO-10749 Various - What Is Bhangra? Various What Is Bhangra?(Cass, Comp, Promo, Adv) I.R.S. Records 4PRO-10749 US 1994 Sell This Version
4PRO-10755 Middleman (8) - Hello Loneliness Middleman (8) Hello Loneliness (Cass, Single, Promo) I.R.S. Records 4PRO-10755 US 1994 Sell This Version
4PRO-10778 Single Gun Theory - Single Gun Theory Cassette Sampler Single Gun Theory Single Gun Theory Cassette Sampler(Cass, Single, Promo) I.R.S. Records 4PRO-10778 US 1994 Sell This Version
4PRO-67087 Various - Take A Spin With I.R.S. Various Take A Spin With I.R.S.(Cass, Promo, Smplr, Dol) I.R.S. Records 4PRO-67087 US 1992 Sell This Version
04SP 1072 R.E.M. - The One I Love R.E.M. The One I Love (Single) 04SP 1072 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
04SP1072(IR) R.E.M. - The One I Love R.E.M. The One I Love (Single) 04SP1072(IR) Japan 1988 Sell This Version
4XM-13861 Lillian Axe - No Matter What / See You Someday Lillian Axe No Matter What / See You Someday(Cass, Single) I.R.S. Records, Grand Slamm Records 4XM-13861 US 1992 Sell This Version
4xPRO-67068 Dread Zeppelin - Free! Does Anybody Remember Laughter? Dread Zeppelin Free! Does Anybody Remember Laughter?(Cass, EP, Promo, Smplr) I.R.S. Records 4xPRO-67068 US 1991 Sell This Version
5D-482 The Balancing Act* - Three Squares And A Roof The Balancing Act* Three Squares And A Roof(Cass, Album) DRO, S.L. 5D-482 Spain 1988 Sell This Version
7P 519.016 Cry Wolf - Pretender Cry Wolf Pretender(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 7P 519.016 Germany 1991 Sell This Version
7P 519.025 John Kay & Steppenwolf - Rock 'n' Roll War John Kay & Steppenwolf John Kay & Steppenwolf - Rock 'n' Roll War(7", Single, Promo) I.R.S. Records 7P 519.025 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
7P 519 042 John Kay & Steppenwolf - Do Or Die (Edit) John Kay & Steppenwolf John Kay & Steppenwolf - Do Or Die (Edit)(7", Single, Promo) I.R.S. Records 7P 519 042 Germany 1990 Sell This Version
7 P 5 19108 Havana 3 A.M. - Reach The Rock Havana 3 A.M. Reach The Rock(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 7 P 5 19108 Europe 1990 Sell This Version
7PRO-67041/67042 Various - I.R.S. Finyl Vinyl Various I.R.S. Finyl Vinyl(2x7", Promo) I.R.S. Records 7PRO-67041/67042 US 1990 Sell This Version
07SP 801 Go-Go's - Head Over Heels Go-Go's キッスに御・用・心 = Head Over Heels (Single) 07SP 801 Japan 1984 Sell This Version
07SP 811 The Alarm = アラーム* - 68ガンズ = Sixty Eight Guns The Alarm = アラーム* The Alarm = アラーム* - 68ガンズ = Sixty Eight Guns (Single) 07SP 811 Japan 1984 Sell This Version
07SP 811(IR) The Alarm = アラーム* - 68ガンズ = Sixty Eight Guns The Alarm = アラーム* The Alarm = アラーム* - 68ガンズ = Sixty Eight Guns (Single) 07SP 811(IR) Japan 1984 Sell This Version
07SP828 Go-Go's - Turn To You = ターン・トゥ・ユー Go-Go's Turn To You = ターン・トゥ・ユー (Single) 07SP828 Japan 1984 Sell This Version
07SP 933 Alarm* - Strength Alarm* Strength (Single) 07SP 933 Japan 1985 Sell This Version
07SP933(IR) Alarm* - Strength Alarm* Strength (Single) 07SP933(IR) Japan 1985 Sell This Version
07SP 946 Alarm* - Spirit Of '76 Alarm* Spirit Of '76 (Single) 07SP 946 Japan 1986 Sell This Version
07SP946(IR) Alarm* - Spirit Of '76 Alarm* Spirit Of '76 (Single) 07SP946(IR) Japan 1986 Sell This Version
07SP 958 Belinda Carlisle - Mad About You Belinda Carlisle Mad About You(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 07SP 958 Japan 1986 Sell This Version
07SP961(IR) Doctor & The Medics - Spirit In The Sky Doctor & The Medics Spirit In The Sky (Single) 07SP961(IR) Japan 1986 Sell This Version
07SP 973 Intimate Strangers (2) - Let Go Intimate Strangers (2) Let Go(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 07SP 973 Japan 1986 Sell This Version
07SP993(IR) Doctor & The Medics - Burn Doctor & The Medics Burn(7", Single) I.R.S. Records 07SP993(IR) Japan 1986 Sell This Version
07SP 1033 The Truth (6) - Weapons Of Love The Truth (6) Weapons Of Love(7", Promo) I.R.S. Records 07SP 1033 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
07SP 1068 The Alarm - Rain In The Summertime The Alarm Rain In The Summertime (Single) 07SP 1068 Japan 1987 Sell This Version
07SP 1068(IR) The Alarm - Rain In The Summertime The Alarm Rain In The Summertime(7", Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 07SP 1068(IR) Japan 1987 Sell This Version
8T 70021 Go-Go's - Beauty And The Beat Go-Go's Beauty And The Beat (Album) 8T 70021 US 1981 Sell This Version
8T 70031 Go-Go's - Vacation Go-Go's Vacation(8-Trk, Album, Club) I.R.S. Records 8T 70031 US 1982 Sell This Version
8T 70032 The Beat (2) - Special Beat Service The Beat (2) Special Beat Service(8-Trk, Album, Club) Go-Feet Records, I.R.S. Records 8T 70032 US 1982 Sell This Version
12AP 2841 Torch Song - Prepare To Energize Torch Song Prepare To Energize(12") I.R.S. Records, CBS/Sony 12AP 2841 Japan 1984 Sell This Version
12AP 2842 Crown Of Thorns (2) - Pictures Crown Of Thorns (2) Pictures(12", Promo) I.R.S. Records, CBS/Sony 12AP 2842 Japan 1984 Sell This Version
12AP 3135 Alarm* - Strength Alarm* Strength(12", Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 12AP 3135 Japan 1986 Sell This Version
12AP 3135(IR) Alarm* - Strength Alarm* Strength(12", Single) I.R.S. Records, I.R.S. Records 12AP 3135(IR) Japan 1986 Sell This Version
12 EIRS 183 Outland - Roxanne Outland Roxanne(12") I.R.S. Records, EMI 12 EIRS 183 UK 1993 Sell This Version
12EIRS 187 The Point - Dance Is The Nu Sex The Point Dance Is The Nu Sex(12", Single) I.R.S. Records, EMI United Kingdom 12EIRS 187 UK 1993 Sell This Version
12EIRS 189 The Sahotas* - Out Of Reach The Sahotas* Out Of Reach(12") I.R.S. Records 12EIRS 189 UK 1994 Sell This Version
12 Eirs 195 Pato Banton & The Reggae Revolution - Groovin' Pato Banton & The Reggae Revolution Pato Banton & The Reggae Revolution - Groovin'(12") I.R.S. Records 12 Eirs 195 UK 1996 Sell This Version
12EIRSDJ 171 Vinx (2) - The Roots Of Music Vinx (2) The Roots Of Music(12", Promo) I.R.S. Records 12EIRSDJ 171 US 1991 Sell This Version
12EIRSDJ 189 The Sahotas* - Out Of Reach The Sahotas* Out Of Reach(12", Promo) I.R.S. Records 12EIRSDJ 189 UK 1994 Sell This Version
12EIRSPD 178 Black Sabbath - TV Crimes Black Sabbath TV Crimes(12", Maxi, Ltd, Pic) I.R.S. Records 12EIRSPD 178 UK 1992 Sell This Version