THE IRS YEARS

Albums & EPs

THE ALARM
IRS SP 70504 (Released 10 Jun 1983)
Vinyl and Cassette.





Produced by The Alarm, Aricentus, Steve Tannet, Harry Murlowski and Ian Wilson except *
*Produced by Mick Glossop
+Recorded Live at The Marquee, London, 30 Jan 1983
+Recorded and Mixed by Steve Tannet & Kenny McAndrews
Engineered by Jess Sutcliffe
Photography by Harry Murlowski
Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass & Backing Vocals
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals
Additional Musicians:
Mark Feltham Harmonica
Angie Knox Keyboards Track Listing:

1. The Stand* (MacDonald/Peters/Sharp) 3:40
2. Across The Border (Sharp) 3:30
3. Marching On (MacDonald/Peters) 3:30
4. Lie Of The Land (MacDonald/Peters) 2:31
5. For Freedom*+(MacDonald/Peters) 3:25

DECLARATION
IRS SP 70608 (Released 20 Feb 1984)
Vinyl & Cassette.
Reissued as SP70050 Vinyl, CD & Cassette in 1985
Reissued as SP75050 (midprice line) CD & Cassette in 1987.
Produced by Alan Shacklock
Engineered by Chris Porter
Recorded At Abbey Road & Good Earth Studios, London
Art Direction by Michael Ross & Simon Adamczewski
Photos by Stephen Oliver Illustration by Robert Mason

Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Backing Vocals (Lead Vocals on *)
Eddie MacDonald Bass & Backing Vocals (Lead Vocals on +)
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals
Additional Musicians:
Alan Shacklock Keyboards Track Listing:

1. Declaration (MacDonald/Peters/Sharp) :45
2. Marching On (MacDonald/Peters) 3:35
3. Where were You Hiding When The Storm Broke? (MacDonald/Peters) 2:56
4. Third Light + (MacDonald/Peters) 3:25
5. Sixty Eight Guns (MacDonald/Peters) 5:49
6. We Are The Light (MacDonald/Peters) 3:16
7. Shout To The Devil (MacDonald/Peters/Sharp) 4:10
8. Blaze Of Glory (MacDonald/Peters/Sharp) 6:04
9. Tell Me * (Sharp) 3:14
10. The Deceiver (MacDonald/Peters) 5:05
11. The Stand (Prophecy) (MacDonald/Peters) 1:15
12. Howling Wind (MacDonald/Peters) 6:44

STRENGTH
IRS-5666 (Released 1985)
Vinyl, Cassette & CD Produced by Mike Howlett
Engineered by Nigel Luby





Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass & Backing Vocals
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals

Track Listing:

1. Knife Edge (Macdonald/Peters) 5:06
2. Strength (Macdonald/Peters/Twist) 5:34
3. Dawn Chorus (Macdonald/Peters) 5:24
4. Spirit of '76 (Macdonald/Peters) 7:05
5. Deeside (Macdonald/Peters) 3:08
6. Father to Son (Macdonald/Peters) 4:04
7. Only the Thunder (Macdonald/Peters) 4:06
8. Day the Ravens Left the Tower (Macdonald/Peters) 4:45
9. Absolute Reality (Macdonald/Peters) 3:24
10. Walk Forever by My Side (Macdonald/Peters) 3:32

EYE OF THE HURRICANE
IRS-42061 (Released 1987)
Vinyl, Cassette & CD. Produced by John Porter and The Alarm
Engineered by Tony Platt





Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass, Synthesizer & Backing Vocals
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals

Additional Musicians:
Chris Stanton Organ & Piano
Mark Taylor Piano

Track Listing:

1. Rain in the Summertime (Alarm) 5:12
2. Newtown Jericho (McDonald/Peters) 4:05
3. Hallowed Ground (McDonald/Peters) 4:17
4. One Step Closer to Home (Sharp/Twist) 4:01
5. Shelter (Alarm) 3:08
6. Rescue Me (McDonald/Peters) 3:19
7. Permanence in Change (McDonald/Peters) 4:01
8. Presence of Love (McDonald/Peters) 4:01
9. Only Love Can Set Me Free (McDonald/Peters) 4:22
10. Eye of the Hurricane (McDonald/Peters) 3:38

A ELECTRIC FOLKLORE LIVE
IRS-39108 (Released 1988)
Vinyl, Cassette & CD
Produced by Gary Katz
Engineered by Elliot Scheiner
Recorded Live At The Wang Center, Boston MA, 26 April 1988



Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass & Backing Vocals
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals

Additional Musicians:
Mark Taylor Keyboards

Track Listing:

1. Rescue Me (Macdonald/Peters)
2. Strength (Macdonald/Peters/Twist)
3. Rain In The Summertime (Alarm)
4. Spirit Of '76 (Macdonald/Peters)
5. Permanence Of Change (Macdonald/Peters)
6. Blaze Of Glory (MacDonald/Peters/Sharp)

CHANGE
IRS-82018 (Released 1989)
Vinyl, Cassette & CD
Reissued as IRS13018 in 1990





Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass & Backing Vocals
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals

Track Listing:

1. Sold Me Down the River

2. Rock

3. Devolution Workin' Man Blues

4. Love Don't Come Easy

5. Hardland

6. Change II

7. No Frontiers

8. Scarlet

9. Where a Town Once Stood

10. Black Sun

11. Prison Without Prison Bars

12. How the Mighty Fall

13. Rivers to Cross

14. New South Wales

STANDARDS
IRS-13056 (Released 13 Nov 1990)
CD and Cassette


Produced by Various Producers
Recorded At Various Studios


Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass & Backing Vocals
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals

Track Listing:

1. The Road (Macdonald/Peters) 3:13
2. Unsafe Building (Macdonald/Peters) 4:06
3. The Stand (Macdonald/Peters/Sharp) 4:43
4. Sixty Eight Guns (Macdonald/Peters) 3:15
5. Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke? (Macdonald/Peters) 2:57
6. Absolute Reality (Macdonald/Peters) 3:25
7. Strength (Alarm) 5:34
8. Spirit Of '76 (Macdonald/Peters) 7:06
9. Rain In The Summertime (Alarm) 5:11
10. Rescue Me (Macdonald/Peters) 3:20
11. Sold Me Down The River (Macdonald/Peters) 4:11
12. Devolution Workin' Man Blues (Macdonald/Peters) 4:11
13. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) (Lennon/Ono) 3:41
14. Marching On* (Macdonald/Peters) 3:32
15. Blaze Of Glory*(Macdonald/Peters/Sharp) 6:04

RAW
IRS-13087 (Released Apr 1991)
CD and Cassette






Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass & Backing Vocals
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals

Track Listing:

1. Raw

2. Rockin' In The Free World

3. God Save Somebody

4. Moments In Time

5. Hell Or High Water

6. Lead Me Through The Darkness

7. Wind Blows Away My Words

8. Let THe River Run It's Course

9. Save You Crying

10. Wonderful World

THE STAND CD3
A&M/IRS CC31010 (Released Apr 1988)
CD3
Produced by Mick Glossop
Engineered by Kevin Kelly, (except* Jess Sutcliffe)
Assisted by Dave Rosen & Phil Pratt
Tracks 2 & 3 Recorded At My Father's Place, Long Island, NY, 28 Sep 1983
Compiled by John Guarnieri
Photography by Ed Colver

Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass & Backing Vocals
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals

Track Listing:

1. The Stand* (MacDonald/Peters/Sharp) 3:15
2. Lie Of The Land (Live) (MacDonald/Peters) 2:57
3. A Legal Matter (Live) (Townshend) 2:42

By the late 1980's many labels were experimenting with making the music even MORE portable than the five inch Compact disc. Solution? a three inch disc! With three songs! This one featured "The Stand" and two live tracks: "Lie Of The Land" and a Who cover, "A Legal Matter." The live tracks, which were originally broadcast live on WLIR-FM are a little uneven, but still show the finesse of a great band.

SIXTY-EIGHT GUNS CD3
A&M/IRS CC31015 (Released 1989)
CD3
Produced by Alan Shacklock
Engineered by Chris Porter (except* Kevin Kelly)
Track 3 Recorded At My Father's Place, Long Island, NY, 28 Sep 1983
Compiled by John Guarnieri
Photography by Stephen Oliver
Digitally Remastered by Mike Reese

Musicians:
Mike Peters Guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocals
Dave Sharp Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass & Backing Vocals
(Nigel) Twist Drums & Backing Vocals

Track Listing:

1. Sixty-Eight Guns (MacDonald/Peters) 3:16
2. The Chant Has Just Begun (MacDonald/Peters/Sharp) 3:41
3. Marching On* (MacDonald/Peters) 5:58

The second CD3 from The Alarm is somewhat more satifying than its predescessor. The Lead-off track (the terrific "Sixty-Eight Guns") is followed by the non-LP "The Chant Has Just Begun", a tune in which the opening chant grabs the listener and doesn't let go until it fades out. The CD3 closes with a live version of "Marching On" which was origianlly broadcast on WLIR-FM. Audience participation shows just what a terrific live show these guys put on!

Singles

Year			Title	Chart Positions					Album
				US Billboard Hot 100	US Mainstream Rock	US Modern Rock	US College Radio	UK Singles
1981			"Unsafe Building/Up for Murder"	-	-	-	-	-	Non-album single
1983			"The Stand/Third Light"	-	-	-	#9	#86	Declaration
1983			"Marching On/Across the Border/Lie of the Land"	-	-	-	#13	-	Declaration
1983			"68 Guns/68 Guns Part 2/Thoughts of a Young Man"	#106	#39	-	#5	#17	Declaration
1984			"Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke?/Pavilion Steps/What Kind of Hell (Live)"	-	-	-	#27	#22	Declaration
1984			"The Deceiver/Reason 41/Second Generation"	-	-	-	-	#51	Declaration
1984			"Blaze of Glory (non-single/album track)"	-	-	-	#25	-	Declaration
1984			"The Chant Has Just Begun/The Bells of Rhymney/The Stand (Full version)/Bound for Glory"	-	-	-	-	#48	Non-album single
1985			"Absolute Reality/Reason 36/Blaze of Glory (Alternate version)/Room at the Top"	-	-	-	-	#35	Strength
1985			"Strength/Majority"	#61	#12	-	#1 (3 weeks)	#40	Strength
1986			"Spirit of '76/Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke (Live)/Knocking On Heaven's Door (Live)/Deeside (Live)/68 Guns (Live)"	-	#29	-	#15	#22	Strength
1986			"Knife Edge/Caroline Isenberg/Unbreak the Promise (BBC Acoustic session)/Howling Wind (BBC Acoustic session)"	-	-	-	-	#43	Strength
1987			"Rain in the Summertime/Rose Beyond the Wall/The Bells of Rhymney (Live)/Time to Believe"	#71	#6	-	#2	#18	Eye of the Hurricane
1987			"Rescue Me/Pastures of Plenty/Elders and Folklore/My Land Your Land"	-	#35	-	#24	#48	Eye of the Hurricane
1988			"Presence of Love/Strength (Live)/Dawn Chorus (Live)/Knife Edge (Live)"	#77	#16	-	-	#44	Eye of the Hurricane
1989			"Sold Me Down the River/Corridors of Power/Firing Line/Yn Cymraeg"	#50	#2	#3	#4	#43	Change
1989			"A New South Wales/The Rock (double A-side)"	-	-	-	-	#31	Change
1989			"Devolution Workin' Man Blues"	-	#9	#11	-	Not released in the UK	Change
1990			"Love Don't Come Easy/Croesi'r Arfon/No Frontiers/Corridors Of Power/Working Class Hero"	-	#33	-	-	#48	Change
1990			"Unsafe Building 1990/Up for Murder 1990"	-	-	-	-	#54	Standards
1990			"The Road"	-	#16	#7	-	Not released in the UK	Standards
1991			"Raw/Sixty Eight Guns/Devolution Working Man Blues"	-	#29	#15	#33	#51	Raw
2004			"45RPM" (credited to The Poppyfields)	-	-	-	-	#28	In the Poppyfields
2004			"New Home New Life"	-	-	-	-	#45	In the Poppyfields
2006			"Superchannel/The Thought Police/Think Again (Everything You Know Is Wrong)"	-	-	-	-	#23	Under Attack
2008			"Three Sevens Clash"	-	-	-	-	-	Guerrilla Tactics