Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Sneaker Pimps
Sneaker Pimps is a British electro band, best known for their first album Becoming X, released in 1997 and particularly its singles 6 Underground, Spin Spin Sugar and Tesko Suicide.
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.
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.
Currently the band are recording material for an as-yet untitlted 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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Side projects
Chris Corner released a solo album in 2004 under the band name IAMX entitled "Kiss and Swallow". Joe Wilson formed Trash Money and plays live with Client. Liam Howe records music under the name The Zip . David Westlake has sessioned for Medieval Babes and Zero-G, and managed Ultrafox on tour. The band also remix and produce other artist's 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-member vocals, left after making their first album Becoming X)
Discography
- Becoming X (1997)
- Splinter (1999)
- Bloodsport (2002)
External Links
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