Probe Records
An independent Liverpool record shop that became a central meeting point for the city's punk and post-punk music communities.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Probe Records is an independent record shop associated with Liverpool's punk, new wave and post-punk history. It was founded in 1971 by Geoff and Annie Davies together with their friend Dave Keats. The original premises were on Clarence Street, near Brownlow Hill, and a second outlet soon operated in the basement of the Silly Billies clothing shop. The business later moved to Button Street in 1976, close to Eric's Club on Mathew Street. That location placed Probe at the heart of a rapidly developing local music network, where musicians, audiences, promoters and independent retailers interacted closely. The shop's importance extended beyond selling records. Probe supported local musicians and independent bands, provided a place where new music could be discovered, and became part of the social infrastructure surrounding Liverpool's emerging punk and new wave scenes. Geoff Davies was widely described as a music enthusiast whose influence came from his knowledge, enthusiasm and relationships rather than from conventional retail expansion. Several musicians are documented as having worked behind the counter during the shop's formative period, including Pete Burns, Pete Wylie and Paul Rutherford. Other stories about musician employees have circulated, although the available account notes that not every anecdote can be verified. Probe also developed an important role in independent music distribution. During the 1980s it established a wholesale arm and participated in The Cartel, an independent distribution network. Through this operation, larger retailers in the North West, including HMV, Virgin Records and Our Price, obtained substantial portions of their stock from independent labels through Probe. This gave the shop influence well beyond its own premises and connected Liverpool's local music culture with a broader regional market for non-major-label releases. In 1981 Geoff Davies established the Probe Plus record label, initially operating it from premises above the shop. The label grew out of the shop's position as a meeting place for bands and musicians. Its name was deliberately selected to distinguish it from an American record label called Probe Records; consequently, the Liverpool retail business and Probe Plus should not be treated as the same entity. In 1986 Geoff and Annie Davies divorced. Annie retained sole ownership of the shop, while Geoff continued with the record-label operation. Probe subsequently moved to Slater Street, near Bold Street and The Zanzibar, where it remained until 2010. It then relocated to Bluecoat Chambers on School Lane in central Liverpool. The shop's legacy is tied to the city's independent music ecosystem: it helped circulate records, encouraged local artists and connected audiences with scenes that later became internationally recognised. Geoff Davies died on 12 September 2023, two weeks after Annie Davies. Accounts of their deaths describe Probe as a joint enterprise whose cultural legacy was shared by both founders. Publicly available reference material does not establish the shop's current operating status, ownership or a current official website.
History
Probe Records began in Liverpool in 1971 as a small independent record shop founded by Geoff Davies, Annie Davies and Dave Keats. Its first premises were on Clarence Street, off Brownlow Hill. A second location soon opened in the basement of Silly Billies, a clothing shop. The early business was shaped by the founders' enthusiasm for music and by Liverpool's unusually dense network of clubs, bands and record buyers. In 1976 the shop moved to Button Street, close to Eric's Club on Mathew Street. This relocation was significant because Eric's was a major venue in Liverpool's developing punk and new wave culture. Probe became more than a conventional retail outlet: it was a place where musicians and listeners met, new records circulated and local bands could find support. Pete Burns, Pete Wylie and Paul Rutherford are documented as having worked behind the counter during this period. Although numerous stories have been told about famous musicians associated with the shop, the historical record distinguishes documented examples from less certain anecdotes. The shop acquired a reputation as a key institution in Liverpool's independent music scene. Later commentators credited Geoff Davies with helping create the conditions in which the city's post-punk culture could develop. His role was based on musical knowledge, advocacy and personal involvement with artists. The shop's cultural influence therefore exceeded its scale as a retailer. During the 1980s Probe expanded into independent wholesale distribution. It became part of The Cartel, a network created to help independent labels and retailers distribute records outside the dominant major-label system. Probe supplied independent-label stock to larger retailers across the North West, including HMV, Virgin Records and Our Price. This work connected local Liverpool music activity to a regional commercial infrastructure and gave the business a role in sustaining independent releases. In 1981 Geoff Davies founded Probe Plus, a record label operated initially from above the shop. The label emerged directly from the shop's continuing contact with bands and musicians. Davies selected the Probe Plus name partly to avoid confusion with an American record label called Probe Records. The shop and the label were therefore related through their founder and history but remained separate operations. Geoff and Annie Davies divorced in 1986. Annie took sole ownership of the shop, while Geoff retained the record-label business. By the 1990s the shop had moved again, this time to Slater Street off Bold Street and near The Zanzibar on Seel Street. It stayed there until 2010, when it relocated to Bluecoat Chambers on School Lane in Liverpool city centre. Geoff Davies died on 12 September 2023, two weeks after Annie Davies. Contemporary accounts characterised Probe as a joint enterprise and emphasised that its legacy belonged to both founders. Available reference material does not provide reliable information about the shop's present ownership, management or operating status. Probe Records is best understood historically as an independent Liverpool retailer and cultural institution rather than as a conventional national record-company brand.
- 2023
Deaths of the founding couple
[1]Annie Davies dies in late August 2023 and Geoff Davies dies on 12 September 2023, two weeks later.
- 2010
Move to Bluecoat Chambers
[1]After years on Slater Street, the shop moves to Bluecoat Chambers on School Lane in central Liverpool.
- 1990
Wholesale and independent distribution role
[1]During the 1980s and into the following period, Probe operates a wholesale arm through The Cartel distribution network, supplying independent-label stock to major regional retailers.
- 1986
Ownership separates after the Davies divorce
[1]Annie Davies takes sole ownership of the shop while Geoff Davies retains the record-label operation.
- 1981
Probe Plus is established
[1]Geoff Davies launches the Probe Plus record label above the shop, using a name intended to distinguish it from an American label called Probe Records.
- 1976
Move to Button Street
[1]The shop relocates near Eric's Club on Mathew Street and becomes closely associated with Liverpool's emerging punk and new wave scene.
- 1971
Probe Records is founded in Liverpool
[1]Geoff Davies, Annie Davies and Dave Keats establish the independent record shop on Clarence Street.
Products and positioning
Independent specialist record retailer and local music-community institution
Record retail · 1971
Recorded music
Probe's core offering was recorded music sold through an independent specialist shop. Its importance lay less in a proprietary product range than in its selection of local, punk, new wave and independent-label releases. The shop served as a discovery point for listeners seeking music outside the mainstream retail system.
Music distribution
Independent-label wholesale distribution
During the 1980s Probe operated an independent wholesale arm and participated in The Cartel. This activity supplied independent-label records to retailers across the North West, including larger chains, and extended Probe's role from local shop to regional distribution intermediary.
Brand decisions
1986
Separation of shop and label interestsStrategyBackground
Following Geoff and Annie Davies's divorce, the business interests associated with the shop and record label were divided.
Action taken
Annie Davies retained sole ownership of the shop, while Geoff Davies continued operating the label.
Aftermath
Probe Records and Probe Plus developed as distinct operations under different ownership responsibilities.
1981
Creation of Probe PlusProduct launchBackground
Geoff Davies was regularly introduced to bands through the shop and decided to develop a label connected to that local network.
Action taken
He founded Probe Plus and initially ran it from the premises above the shop.
Aftermath
The label became a separate but historically connected part of Probe's independent-music legacy.
1976
Relocation beside Eric's ClubStrategyBackground
The shop moved from its original Clarence Street premises to Button Street near Eric's Club, a focal venue for Liverpool's developing punk and new wave community.
Action taken
Probe established itself in a location closely connected to the city's live music ecosystem.
Aftermath
The new location strengthened the shop's role as a meeting place and supporter of local independent musicians.
Recent events
- 2023
Geoff Davies dies after the death of Annie Davies[1]
Other
Geoff Davies died on 12 September 2023, two weeks after Annie Davies. Their deaths renewed attention to the shared cultural legacy of Probe Records.
- 2010
Probe Records relocates to Bluecoat Chambers[1]
Other
After operating on Slater Street since the 1990s, the Liverpool shop moved to Bluecoat Chambers on School Lane in the city centre.
Sources1 sources
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