REM inked their deal with IRS Records 30 years ago today, on May 31, 1982. It was a 5 album deal that gave us Murmur, Reckoning, Fables of the Reconstruction, Lifes Rich Pageant, and Document. A man named Miles ran IRS Records and signed REM after they opened for his brother’s band.

The Miles behind IRS Records was Miles Copeland III, the brother of Stewart Copeland of The Police.

REM opened for The Police at The Fox on December 6, 1980.

Photo courtesy of Jerome Calderone – http://mdjonline.com

Photo courtesy of Jerome Calderone – http://mdjonline.com

Photo courtesy of Jerome Calderone – http://mdjonline.com