What’s up, dudes? Duane and Scott from Tinsel Tunes and Randy Anthony from Hip Christmas are with me today to discuss the IRS Records 1987 promotional Christmas compilation and subsequent 1990 commercial release “Just in Time for Christmas.” Both albums are full of alternative artists with quirky, original Christmas songs. Some are very good. Others are great for background music at parties.

I.R.S. Records was a major American record label founded by Miles Copeland—brother of Police drummer Stewart Copeland—Jay Boberg, and Carl Grasso in 1979. I.R.S. produced some of the most popular bands of the 1980s, and in particular was known for college rock, new wave and alternative rock artists, including R.E.M., The Go-Go's, Wall of Voodoo, and Fine Young Cannibals. Their catalog is pretty varied, and they used it to their advantage in 1987 for their “Just In Time For Christmas” promo album!

The album came with a gatefold cardboard sleeve so record executives could pen warm wishes and season’s greetings to each other. And, while the 1990 commercial reissue cassette and cd are readily available, the original ‘87 vinyl is pretty scarce. The album has 7 tracks: 6 originals and 1 contemporary cover of a classic hymn. The 1990 release has 13 tracks: that’s 8 originals and 3 contemporary covers of classic hymns.

TIMBUK3? Yep. Wall of Voodoo? They’re there too. Stewart Copeland? Well, only under the pseudonym Klark Kent!

Hip Christmas
FB: @HipChristmasMusic
IG: @hipchristmasmusic

Tinsel Tunes
FB: @tinseltunes
IG: @tinseltunespodcast
Twitter: @TinselTunesPod

Jingle Jank
FB: @jinglejankpodcast
IG: @jinglejankpod
Twitter: @jinglejankpod

Christmas Morning
IG: @xmasmorningpod
Twitter: @xmasmorningpod

Townshend Lights

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram,  Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com!  Later, dudes!