In 1985 he formed a band with 'Alan Johannes' and Chris Hutchinson called What
Is This?. In 1987,
Natasha Shneider joined the band and it became Walk the Moon.
Hutchinson left before their self-titled album was finished, and the
remaining three members became Eleven. Part way through the third
album, Irons left the band to join Red Hot Chili Peppers, and then
Pearl Jam. Matt Cameron of Soundgarden finished the album, and Greg
Upchurch became principal drummer. After the success of Upchurch's own
Puddle of Mudd, he left the band and Irons returned for Eleven's fifth
album.