1981 April The REAL DEAL w/ I.R.S.

At this point the Go-Go's where anxious for a record deal. They had been around the block a few times. The had gone to all the major record labels such as Columbia and Epic and tried to get a contract. They wanted to be with a label that believed in them. However, they continually got turned down. Established record companies were skeptical about signing an all-girl band. After all, there had not been a successful all-girl group since the 1960's.


In 1980 the Go-Go's participated in an industry showcase at the Starwood -- a concert where label reps came to see and hear a large number of unsigned bands. It was here that I.R.S. founder Miles Copeland first heard the girls play. GoGo manager Ginger Canzoneri was introduced to Miles Copeland. Ginger was an album cover graphic designer at CBS Records and had a few industry connections.

However, it would be a year before he officially signed them.
The GoGos wanted to hold out for a bigger label - but finally they agreed to go with I.R.S.

I.R.S (International Records Syndicate) Records was a record label started in the USA in 1979 by Miles Copeland III with Jay Boberg and Carl Grasso. Miles is the older brother of Stewart Copeland of the Police.

1970- The Copeland brothers: Ian, Miles and Stewart

I.R.S. was an American version of a group of punk & new wave labels that Miles operated in the UK under the umbrella name Faulty Products. I.R.S. was initially distributed by A & M Records (US). I.R.S. moved distribution to MCA Records Inc. in 1985, and to Enigma Records (US) in 1990. The label folded in 1996.

Miles Copeland was also the manager of The Police and later Sting, as well as other bands.
Other artist on I.R.S. include: Wishbone Ash, English Beat, R.E.M., Oingo Boingo,
The Buzzcocks, Wall of Voodoo, and Fine Young Cannibals.

Miles Coptland

Jay Boberg

A signing party was held on April 1st, 1981 at Kelbo's Hawaiian Bar-B-Q & Tropical Bar. Kelbo's 101 N. Fairfax Avenue, just across the street from CBS (where Ginger worked).

April 1st, 1981 - A Deal is Made with the I.R.S.

GoGo Signing party at Kelbo's

cheers!

Miles Copeland, proclaimed at the signing festivities: The only way for a small company to get ahead is to take chances. But we don’t feel we’re doing that with the Go-Go’s. They’re a safe bet.

Under Kelbo's tin roofs, stuffed macaws and dried banana peels, the Go-Go’s and Copeland signed that sacred document, the long-term recording contract. And the flashbulbs started popping. 

Said lead guitarist Charlotte: I feel really secure, happy now. It makes more sense to be on a smaller label who’ll pay a lot of attention to you.

The next morning, the GoGo's left for New York to begin work on their debut album with Richard Richard Gottehrer. They wanted the album in the racks by June.
Copeland admitted that I.R.S. was different from other record companies but probably the safest in the business. They don’t take risks and don’t give big upfront money.

The next morning, the girls left for New York to begin work on their debut album with Richard Gottehrer.

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