Sneaker Pimps

Sneaker Pimps is a British electro band, best known for their first album Becoming X, released in 1996 and particularly its singles "6 Underground", "Spin Spin Sugar" and "Tesko Suicide".

Related Topics:
British - Electro - Becoming X - 6 Underground

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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) fitted his voice better, especially with regard to the rawer and more 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.

Related Topics:
Chris Corner - Liam Howe - Kelli Dayton - Kelli Ali - Trip-hop - Portishead

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Dayton's departure, while lamented by many, was well received by critics who felt that it gave the band a more honest, emotional timbre. It has also helped curb the inevitable comparisons with Portishead. Many fans feel that the songs on subsequent Sneaker Pimps albums, Splinter and Bloodsport, have lost the sometimes creepy bubblegum feel and have gained an emotional intensity, but some enjoyed Dayton's vocals precisely because of that feel.

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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.

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