Sneaker Pimps

Sneaker Pimps is a British Electropop band formed in Reading, England in 1995. They are best known for their first album Becoming X (released in 1996) and particularly the singles "6 Underground", "Spin Spin Sugar" and "Tesko Suicide" from that album. They took their name from an article the Beastie Boys published in their Grand Royale magazine about a man they hired to track down classic sneakers.

The band's founding members were Chris Corner and Liam Howe (both ex-DJs), who then recruited Kelli Dayton (formerly of Lumieres, now recording under the name Kelli Ali) for vocal duties. After the first album, the band felt that demos for second album (on which Corner provided the guide vocals) better suited his voice, especially in regard to the more raw, personal quality of the lyrics. Combined with the fear of being identified with the fad for trip-hop acts (i.e. Portishead), Kelli was asked to leave the group, and Corner became the singer.

Dayton's departure was well received by some critics who felt that it gave the band a more honest, emotional timbre. Some fans feel that the songs on subsequent Sneaker Pimps albums, Splinter and Bloodsport, have lost the bubblegum feel and have gained an emotional intensity, while others enjoyed Dayton's vocals precisely because of that feel.

Currently the band are recording material for an as-yet untitled fourth album, having shelved a number of songs previewed live during 2003, and having recruited a new, as-yet unknown, female singer.

Side projects

Chris Corner released a solo album in 2004 under the band name I AM X entitled "Kiss and Swallow". He has also sung guest vocals for TNT Jackson and produced Robots in Disguise and Nemo. He also collaborates with Sue Denim from Robots in Disguise, under the name Sibling. Joe Wilson formed Trash Money and plays live with Client. Liam Howe records music under the name The Zip as well as producing Free Repeater. David Westlake has sessioned for Natalie Imbruglia, Mediaeval Baebes, Zero-G and played drums with Ultrafox on tour. The band also remix and produce other artists under the name Line of Flight.

Members

In the studio, the band share instrumental duties, however in the live environment they can usually be observed playing the following:

Chris Corner (guitar, synthesiser, vocals)
Liam Howe (synthesiser)
Joe Wilson (bass)
David Westlake (drums and sampling)

Also note:

Ian Pickering (co-lyricist and unofficial 5th member)
Kelli Dayton (ex-vocalist, asked to leave after making their first album Becoming X)

Discography

Numbers given are the highest chart positions for the UK charts.

Albums

SP4 is the working title for their shelved/unreleased 4th album. Recorded in 2003, this was their last album to feature vocals by Chris Corner (I AM X). It was rejected by their record company when it was presented to them. At the moment, this album is still in limbo - they are now working on a 5th album with a brand new (and as yet unknown) female singer.
Known tracks on this album are:
Tigers
Subway
Deviate
First And Careless Rapture
One Method
Ma Fille Concrete
Lolita
Song of Imaginary Beings

It is unknown if SP4 will ever be released commercially.

Singles

1996 Tesko Suicide
1996 Roll On
1996 6 underground - #15
1996 Spin Spin Sugar - #21
1997 6 Underground (re-issued) - #9
1997 Spin Spin Sugar remixes (12" format only)
1997 Post-Modern Sleaze - #22
1999 Low Five - #39
1999 Ten To Twenty
2002 Sick
2002 Bloodsport (12" format only)
2002 Loretta Young Silks

Promo Singles

(This listing excludes the listed official singles which also may have been promotionally released)

1996 "Firestarter"
2002 "Kiro TV"
2002 "M'Aidez"

External links

Trip hop groups | English musical groups | British dance musicians | Dance/Club music artists

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