Though generally the entire numerical name was printed on labels, the label was colloquially referred to as Fifty Skidillion Watts Records, and that rendering was used on occasion for certain credits.
Label initiated by artist and Jad Fair for their initial releases as 1/2 Japanese, the label was later revived by Penn Jillette, and generally released records by artists in the orbit of Half Japanese and the Fairs, including Daniel Johnston and Moe Tucker. Releases were distributed initially by Dutch East India Trading, and later by Drag City and Jagjaguwar.