Probe plus
Encyclopedia
Probe Plus is a record label
based in Liverpool
, England
. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink".
The label was started in May 1981, its first release being the self-titled debut EP by Ex Post Facto. For years the label was based in an office above the Probe shop in Rainford Gardens. Due to a change in building ownership both the shop and label were forced to move and Davies set up office in his house. After marrying Anne in 1999, they moved house and he continues to run the label from there.
Probe Plus has a number of bands to their name including Kelso, Dead Poppies and Marlowe. In 1990, the label released "Colours", the first single by No-Man
, who later signed to One Little Indian and Epic/Sony.
The label is perhaps best known for Half Man Half Biscuit
, who have been signed to the label since 1985. Davies took the group on on the basis of a tape the band gave him, saying "I thought that if the tape was half as good as the titles then I'd want to record this group". The band's debut album sold over 50,000 copies, enabling Davies to plough money back into the label.
Probe Plus was later home to a number of Welsh
bands, including Fflaps
, who released a Welsh-language album on the label.
Many of the label's releases are produced by Davies and Sam Davis under the pseudonym 'The Bald Brothers'.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
based in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was founded by Geoff Davies, an enthusiastic promoter of small, unsigned bands, who describes the label as "Music to drive you to drink".
The label was started in May 1981, its first release being the self-titled debut EP by Ex Post Facto. For years the label was based in an office above the Probe shop in Rainford Gardens. Due to a change in building ownership both the shop and label were forced to move and Davies set up office in his house. After marrying Anne in 1999, they moved house and he continues to run the label from there.
Probe Plus has a number of bands to their name including Kelso, Dead Poppies and Marlowe. In 1990, the label released "Colours", the first single by No-Man
No-Man
No-Man are a British art-pop duo formed in 1987 as No Man Is An Island by singer Tim Bowness and multi-instrumentalist Steven Wilson . The band has so far produced six studio albums and a number of singles/outtakes collections...
, who later signed to One Little Indian and Epic/Sony.
The label is perhaps best known for Half Man Half Biscuit
Half Man Half Biscuit
Half Man Half Biscuit, often "HMHB", are an English rock band from Birkenhead, Merseyside, active since the mid-1980s, known for satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs. The group comprises Nigel Blackwell , Neil Crossley , Ken Hancock , and Carl Henry...
, who have been signed to the label since 1985. Davies took the group on on the basis of a tape the band gave him, saying "I thought that if the tape was half as good as the titles then I'd want to record this group". The band's debut album sold over 50,000 copies, enabling Davies to plough money back into the label.
Probe Plus was later home to a number of Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
bands, including Fflaps
Fflaps
Fflaps was a Welsh post-punk group in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band was composed of vocalist and guitarist Ann Matthews, bassist Alan Holmes and drummer Jonny Evans. Between their formation in 1987 and split in 1992, they released 3 LPs and an EP, recorded 2 Peel Sessions and toured...
, who released a Welsh-language album on the label.
Many of the label's releases are produced by Davies and Sam Davis under the pseudonym 'The Bald Brothers'.
Probe Plus artists
Probe Plus has released records by artists including:- Ex Post Facto
- Half Man Half BiscuitHalf Man Half BiscuitHalf Man Half Biscuit, often "HMHB", are an English rock band from Birkenhead, Merseyside, active since the mid-1980s, known for satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs. The group comprises Nigel Blackwell , Neil Crossley , Ken Hancock , and Carl Henry...
- The OnsetThe OnsetThe Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Mike teamed up with local Liverpool legend Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on Piano and Colin Becket on Drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 2006 compilation CD, Lo Fi Electric...
- featured Mike Badger and Paul Hemmings formerly of The La's - OphiuchusOphiuchus (band)Ophiuchus are a folk/roots rock group from Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England, formed in 1986 by twin brothers - guitarist Jon and bassist Simon Cousins, with saxophonist Pat D'Arcy and photographer, graphic designer Martin Tom Sawyer....
- The FarmThe Farm (band)The Farm were a British band from Liverpool, popular through the early 1990s. Their album Spartacus reached the top position on the UK Albums Chart when it was released in March, 1991.-History:They formed in early 1983....
- Mel-O-Tones
- Surreal Estate (who included Will SergeantWill SergeantWill Sergeant is an English guitarist, best known for being a member of Echo & the Bunnymen. Born in the centre of Liverpool, he grew up in the suburb of Melling and attended nearby Deyes High School...
and Les PattinsonLes PattinsonLes Pattinson is an English musician, best known for his work as the bassist and co-writer of the Liverpool based band, Echo & the Bunnymen....
of Echo & the BunnymenEcho & the BunnymenEcho & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
) - Brenda and the Beachballs
- The Walking Seeds
- Poisoned Electrick HeadPoisoned Electrick HeadPoisoned Electrick Head is an English psychedelic indie rock/punk band formed in 1986 in St Helens, Merseyside, England. The band is best known for the 1994 independent chart hit "Out of Order" and for its fantasy-costumed stage act. Poisoned Electrick Head split up in 1998 and formally reformed...
- Public Disgrace
- Jegsy DoddJegsy DoddJegsy Dodd is an English performance poet from Wirral. He first came to prominence in the 1980s with his backing group, The Sons of Harry Cross.The sons of harry cross where,Paul Spencer-Drums,Ian Jackson-Bass,Ken Hancock-Guitar...
- Levellers 5
- No-ManNo-ManNo-Man are a British art-pop duo formed in 1987 as No Man Is An Island by singer Tim Bowness and multi-instrumentalist Steven Wilson . The band has so far produced six studio albums and a number of singles/outtakes collections...
- The Magic Carpets
- The Tunnel Frenzies
- The Tractors
- Gone to Earth
- St. Vitus Dance
- Cyclic Amp
- Attila the StockbrokerAttila the StockbrokerAttila the Stockbroker is a punk poet, and a folk punk musician and songwriter. He performs solo and as the leader of the band Barnstormer...
- FflapsFflapsFflaps was a Welsh post-punk group in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band was composed of vocalist and guitarist Ann Matthews, bassist Alan Holmes and drummer Jonny Evans. Between their formation in 1987 and split in 1992, they released 3 LPs and an EP, recorded 2 Peel Sessions and toured...
- The TansadsThe TansadsThe Tansads were an English band from Wigan, Greater Manchester who were active during the 1990s. Playing a mix of folk, punk and indie music they developed a strong following on the festival circuit and on the crusty/traveller scene but never managed to achieve a commercial breakthrough...
- Dead Poppies