PIAS Recordings was founded in 1983 in Belgium as Play It Again Sam by Kenny Gates and Michel Lambot.

Play It Again Sam expanded along with other European independent labels in the early 1980s. Play It Again Sam's early artists were Front 242, Meat Beat Manifesto and Young Gods. They added artists such as The Sound, Soulwax/ 2ManyDJ's, Sigur Rós and Mogwai.

The first release on the label in 1984 was the mini album Faces in the Fire by the cult experimental psychedelic band The Legendary Pink Dots. This was immediately followed by the 'Four Your Ears Only' EP, an aural map of Northern England, featuring Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Red Guitars, Party Day and Luddites. This laid the ground for releases from many other artists with very diverse musical backgrounds and geographical origins including the Butthole Surfers, Parade Ground, The Neon Judgement, The Sound, Skinny Puppy, Taxi Girl, Bill Pritchard and The Cassandra Complex.

In 1988 the label released the album Front By Front by Front 242 including the single "Headhunter" (with a video directed by Anton Corbijn).