Sex and Probe 7
Story by: Race Bannon
Photography by: Steven Michaels
January 15, 2020
I was recently standing in the San Francisco Eagle late at night, watching a band on stage. The lead singer rubbed his body, flirting with the audience as he sang kink-laden lyrics over synth beats. A subtle, debaucherous energy filled the room as two men were making out to my right with their lips locked, wrapped in each other’s arms, and crotches grinding as if their cocks needed letting out from under their leather pants.
The band was Palm Springs’ Probe 7, and this is the sort of erotic effect much of their music can have. Their sound is reminiscent of past synth, new wave, and electronic bands but they slam with rock hard lyrics. This sort of energy, paired with sex, or cruising at a club, can create a sexually charged sonic landscape.
I recently purchased a copy of their new album, Strange Angels, the two-man band’s first collaborative endeavor. A few days later, I was at a friend’s place fucking and playing, using the music on my phone as our soundtrack much like the two guys at the Eagle. I always do this, believing that music can set a mood; I find that it can take me deeper into a pig or kink mindset, help block out the vagaries of the daily grind, and hone my sexual focus. Music has power, but only certain music has erotic power. Although there are acts who brave being out or flirt with erotic innuendo, few claim to be kinky bastards like Probe 7 do and that is something I relate to.
At one point, my friend was tied to the bed, blindfolded, nipples clamped, balls bound and weighted with my boot. Moments later, we heard Probe 7’s vocalist sing from their song, “Getting Closer,”
I want it hard, I like it rough
Turn me on and I’ll tear you up
Call me Sir, submit to my will
I know what you want so come and get your fill.
My buddy chuckled and said, “I want it hard. I like it rough. Tear me up, Sir!” Due to the blindfold, he couldn’t see my grin or how hard my cock got when he uttered “Sir.” The music’s rhythms pushed me deeper into the sense of dominance I had over him.
Brent Heinze and Charlie Harding, the band’s two members, grew up in generations that embraced dance beats made popular by disco, synthpop, and the electronic rock bands of the ’70s and ’80s. They are heavily influenced by the likes of Depeche Mode, New Order, and Fad Gadget.
Heinze started Probe 7 as a solo project in 1992, and Harding joined in 2018 after retiring from the porn industry, adding his unique set of experiences, perversions, and passions to the music. Much of the band’s subject matter involves gay experiences, from lust and bonding to cruising and fucking.
More than two hours into play and my buddy’s cock exploded in an orgasm. I hope I can credit this to my BDSM skills, but I’ll give Probe 7 some props too.
I took off his blindfold and collapsed on top of him, pressing the pool of cum on his abdomen and chest between us, and reached over to click the music off. Silence, except for us kissing. It was a re-entry into the real world without sound—a leatherman’s real world, anyway.