ETCHED IN CONCRETE: I.R.S. Records got an...

ETCHED IN CONCRETE: I.R.S. Records got an early Christmas present last week when it re-signed Concrete Blonde, the acclaimed local band, which sought to leave the label last year. The group, which declared bankruptcy in September 1987, was reportedly close to signing with Geffen Records before it suddenly returned to the I.R.S. fold. The group, fronted by singer Johnette Napolitano, is expected to release an album next year.

The resigning was an important morale boost for the label, which has lost two of its hottest acts to major labels. Belinda Carlisle shifted to MCA Records in 1986, and R.E.M. left for Warner Bros. Records this year.

Concrete Blonde’s self-titled debut album, released nearly two years ago, reached the top 100 on the national charts and received rave reviews from the rock press.