Probe Plus

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".De Burgh, Simon (1991) "Probe Plus Records", Spiral Scratch Issue 12, July 1991]

The label was started in May 1981, it's 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 Geoff 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 (a band featuring Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson), who later signed to One Little Indian and Epic/Sony.

The label is perhaps best known for the eccentric indie band (and renowned Tranmere Rovers supporters) Half Man Half Biscuit (greatly beloved of the late John Peel), 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".

Probe Plus artists

Probe Plus has released records by artists including:
*Ex Post Facto
*Half Man Half Biscuit
*The Farm
*Mel-O-Tones
*Surreal Estate (who included Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson of Echo and the Bunnymen)
*Brenda and the Beachballs
*The Walking Seeds
*Jegsy Dodd
*Levellers 5
*No-Man
*The Magic Carpets
*The Tunnel Frenzies
*The Tractors
*Gone To Earth
*St. Vitus Dance
*Cyclic Amp
*Attila The Stockbroker
*Fflaps
*The Onset - featured Mike Badger and Paul Hemmings formerly of The La's
*Orphiuchus

See also

* List of record labels

References

External links

* http://www.probeplus.co.uk/