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Sneaker Pimps【 63 songs in total 】
Sneaker Pimps are a British trip hop band formed in Hartlepool, England, in 1994. They are best known for their first album, Becoming X (1996), and the singles '6 Underground' and 'Spin Spin Sugar'. They took their name from an article the Beastie Boys published in their Grand Royal magazine about a man they hired to track down classic sneakers.

The band's founding members were Liam Howe and Chris Corner, who then recruited Kelli Dayton (formerly of Lumieres, now recording under the name Kelli Ali) for vocal duties and long-time friend Ian Pickering to co-write the lyrics. After the first album, the band felt that demos for the 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. Following the promotional tour for Becoming X, Kelli was dismissed from the group, and Corner became the singer.

In May 2015, founding member Liam Howe hinted via Twitter that Sneaker Pimps would return to release their 4th album. In April 2016, Chris Corner (as IAMX) seemingly confirmed this in an image posted to Twitter.

History

Chris Corner and Liam Howe met as teenagers in the eighties, both taking an interest in recording and studio experimentation. They banded together under the name F.R.I.S.K. and produced the 'Soul of Indiscretion' EP, an early example of what became known as trip-hop. The mix of beats and acoustic folk sounds was further explored on two more instrumental EPs: 'F.R.I.S.K.' and 'World as a Cone'. They were signed to Clean Up Records. The duo's early DJ and production efforts took the alias Line of Flight.

As their music evolved, Howe and Corner began to tire of the non-vocal format, and wanted to explore making music with more pop leanings. They drafted school friend Ian Pickering to assist in writing lyrics for what would eventually become the album Becoming X. Chris Corner recorded vocals for several demo tracks, but the band decided the kind of music they were writing better suited a female vocal. At their manager's suggestion, they saw Kelli Dayton performing in a pub and recruited her to join on vocals. Finally the band came together with friends Joe Wilson on bass and Dave Westlake on drums and percussion, and began recording under the Sneaker Pimps name.

The 1996 debut album Becoming X was a runaway success, released during the peak popularity of the trip-hop genre. The album got them signed to Virgin America, and sold over a million copies. They toured the album for two years, including gigs alongside Aphex Twin. A 1998 remix album, Becoming Remixed, also followed.

Upon return from the tour, the band began writing their follow-up album. Chris Corner again laid down the initial vocal demos, at which point it became clear to the band that his vocal style fit better with the direction their music was turning. At this time, Kelli was asked to leave the band, also in part due to the stress of the preceding tour. The band's lineup change led them to be dropped from Virgin, and the second album Splinter was instead released in the UK on Clean Up Records in 1999. Splinter featured more traditional instrumentation, acoustic guitars, and downbeat tempos. With the band's change in direction, Splinter did not match the commercial success of Becoming X, but solidified a cult fanbase.

Their third album Bloodsport was released on Tommy Boy Records in 2002. Songs from the album were previewed during in a 2001 European tour opening for Placebo. A more dance-oriented album than its predecessor, Bloodsport contains influences of new wave, pop, funk, and alternative combined with a residue of trip-hop. Cynical takes on fame and celebrity are a recurring lyrical theme throughout the album.

In 2003, the band's website stated they had 'decided to undergo a mutation' and announced the launch of Chris Corner's new project, IAMX. A fourth Sneaker Pimps album was demoed but shelved, and is referred to in fan circles as SP4. Many of the songs would be finalized and recorded by Corner on the first two IAMX albums. Although the band's website hinted through 2005 that new Sneaker Pimps material and 5.1 Surround Sound re-releases of the first two albums were on the way, these plans never materialized and band members focused instead on varying side projects.

In May 2015, founding member Liam Howe hinted that Sneaker Pimps would return to officially release a fourth album. He later reinforced this on a new Sneaker Pimps Twitter account. Corner has commented that he would like to be involved in future Sneaker Pimps projects if other band members are equally interested.
Side projects

Chris Corner began working on the side project IAMX in 2003 and has since released six solo albums. He has also provided guest vocals for TNT Jackson, Moonbootica and The Strike Boys, as well as produced material for Robots in Disguise. Corner also collaborated with Sue Denim from Robots in Disguise, under the name Siblings.

Liam Howe has become a successful writer/producer and has written and produced the likes of Marina and the Diamonds, Lana Del Rey and Ellie Goulding. He is signed to Columbia records for his solo project which includes collaborations with Alan Vega, Neneh Cherry and Princess Superstar.

David Westlake[clarification needed] currently plays drums in Trash Money, has done session work for Natalie Imbruglia, Mediaeval Baebes, and Zero-G, and played drums with Ultrafox on tour.

Kelli Ali (Dayton) has released three solo albums through One Little Indian Records: Tigermouth, Psychic Cat, and Rocking Horse, and most recently independently released the album Band of Angels.

Past member Joe Wilson formed Trash Money with Chris Tate in 1999 and plays live with Client.
Members

In the studio, the band share instrumental duties; however in the live environment they have played the following:

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

Former members:

Kelli Dayton (ex-vocalist, asked to leave after making their first album Becoming X)
Chris Tate (friend of Joe Wilson and stand-in for Liam Howe on synthesiser during Bloodsport)

Discography
Albums

Becoming X (1996) – #27 UK, #111 U.S., #1 U.S. Heatseekers, #55 AUS – BPI: Gold
Becoming Remixed (1998) – #24 U.S. Heatseekers
Splinter (1999) - #80 UK
Bloodsport (2002) – #16 U.S. Electronic, #46 U.S. Indie
SP4 (unreleased) – most songs ended up on Chris Corner's IAMX project
Sorted by Sorted by album (Time) Sorted by song name (Characters) Sorted by other
  Song Lyricist Composer Date
1 6 Underground (original mix)      
2 6 Underground     1996
3 After Every Party I(Provided)     1987
4 Ashes to Ashes      
5 Becoming X     1996
6 Black Sheep     1987
7 Bloodsport Barry Adamson, Chris Corner, Liam Coverdale-howe, Billy Currie, Peter Egan, John Mcgeoch, Ian Pickering, Steve Strange, David Tomlinson, Midge Ure   1987
8 Blue Movie     1987
9 Curl     1999
10 Cute Sushi Lunches     1999
11 Destroying Angel     1999
12 Die(Provided)     1987
13 Empathy     1999
14 Flowers And Silence     1999
15 Grazes Corner Christopher Anthony, Howe Liam Coverdale, Pickering Ian Richard    
16 Half Life     1999
17 How Do     1996
18 Johnny      
19 Kiro Tv     1987
20 Lightning Field     1999
21 Lolita      
22 Loretta Young Silks - Dancefloor Killa Mix      
23 Loretta Young Silks     1987
24 Low Five     1999
25 Low Place Like Home     1996
26 M'aidez Chris Corner, Liam Coverdale-howe, Ian Pickering   1987
27 Miami Counting Corner Christopher Anthony, Howe Liam Coverdale, Pickering Ian Richard   1987
28 Missile      
29 O Type(Provided)     1987
30 Polaroids(Provided)     1987
31 Post Modern Sleaze (Reprazent remix)      
32 Post-Modern Sleaze (The Salt City Orchestra Nightclub Mix) Chris Corner, Liam Coverdale-howe, Ian Pickering    
33 Post-Modern Sleaze     1996
34 Precious      
35 Roll On (Fold Mix) Chris Corner, Liam Coverdale-howe, Ian Pickering    
36 Roll On (Line of Flight Mix)      
37 Roll On     1996
38 Sailor      
39 Sick     1987
40 Small Town Witch Chris Corner, Liam Coverdale-howe, Ian Pickering    
41 Spin Spin Sugar (Armand's Bonus Dub) Chris Corner, Liam Coverdale-howe, Ian Pickering    
42 Spin Spin Sugar (Armand's Dark Garage edit)      
43 Spin Spin Sugar     1996
44 Splinter     1999
45 Superbug     1999
46 Superstition      
47 Ten to Twenty (Erick Morillo, Jose Nunez & Richard F Vox)      
48 Ten To Twenty     1999
49 Tesko Suicide (Americruiser Mix) Chris Corner, Liam Coverdale-howe, Ian Pickering    
50 Tesko Suicide (Aquasky Remix) - Remaster      
51 Tesko Suicide     1996
52 The Chauffeur      
53 The Fuel Liam Cloverdale-howe, Chris Corner, James Horner, Ian Pickering   1987
54 Think Harder Chris Corner, Liam Coverdale-howe, Ian Pickering    
55 Think Harder, Think Dumb(Provided)     1987
56 Velvet Divorce Corner Christopher Anthony, Dayton Kelli , Howe Liam Coverdale, Pickering Ian Richard    
57 Venus as a Boy      
58 Walk the Rain      
59 Walking Zero (Tuff & Jam Unda-Vybe vocal)      
60 Walking Zero     1996
61 Wasted Early Sunday Morning     1996
62 Waterbaby     1996
63 Wife By Two Thousand     1999